Funny stuff to say when hacking your friends facebook

Hey everyone! I wanted to share a little story about how I stumbled upon a hidden talent of mine through ethical hacking. A few years back, I was just an average Joe working a 9-5 job, feeling pretty uninspired. One day, I decided to dive into the world of ethical hacking, purely out of curiosity. I started with some basic tutorials and gradually moved on to more advanced stuff. It was like opening a door to a whole new world. I was hooked! 🕵️‍♂️💻
I remember this one time when I was helping a friend who had been getting some suspicious emails. It was a perfect opportunity to put my new skills to the test. I traced the emails back to a sketchy source and even helped her secure her accounts. It felt amazing to use my skills for good and to actually make a difference. That experience really solidified my passion for ethical hacking.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve managed to turn this passion into a side gig. I’ve helped small businesses secure their networks and even conducted a few penetration tests for local companies. It's been a wild ride, and I’ve learned so much along the way. One of the tools that really helped me gather information efficiently was this open-source research platform I came across, which allows you to search for publicly available info on individuals. It’s super handy for gathering strategic data without breaking any laws.
If you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, I highly recommend diving into the resources available in this subreddit. There’s a wealth of knowledge here, and the community is super supportive. Keep it legal and ethical, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!
Oh, and by the way, based on my journey, I actually ended up creating a project called [Effect Group](https://effectgroup.io). It’s an open-source research platform that helps users like journalists, lawyers, and private investigators gather publicly available information efficiently. Feel free to check it out if you’re interested. Happy hacking! 🚀

Author note: The Cryopod to Hell is a Reddit-exclusive story with over three years of editing and refining. As of this post, the total rewrite is 2,182,000+ words long! For more information, check out the link below:
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(Previous Part)
(Part 001)
"Hell yeah, I wanna go exploring." Jason says to Calanthra with a smile. "How do we navigate around Ripspace though? Traveling to other galaxies is going to take billions of years, right? Surely, there's a shortcut."
"Ripspace is not as it seems." Calanthra explains, gesturing grandly to the epic sight before them. "It is a connection between the past and the present; the near and far. The further away or the further back you want to travel, the higher the price you will have to pay."
Jason's smile vanishes. "Wait... you can use Ripspace to travel back in time?!"
"No." Calanthra clarifies. "Time is linear. We cannot travel through it. Some can slow it down or speed it up. A rare few can even pause it for a short while. But moving forward and backward is impossible. Countless have attempted to do so over the eons, but all have failed."
She looks at Jason meaningfully. "Many Rulers would wipe out galaxies if it might let them obtain such a power. The fact they still haven't proves it is impossible."
Jason nods slowly. "I won't lie. I have a lot of regrets. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and save my daughter from dying."
"Everyone has regrets." Calanthra muses, looking off into the distance. "I have plenty, myself. But it's better this way. There would be pandemonium if time travel ever became possible."
She pauses before continuing with her explanation. "While we cannot go back in time, we can look back into time. Pinpointing exact moments in history is difficult, to say the least, but it is possible to use Ripspace to search for key moments in intergalactic history."
"So it's like a massive seer-stone." Jason muses aloud. "But wait, didn't you imply earlier that you used Ripspace to travel to the Milky Way from Andromeda? How does it allow you to jump between galaxies? Are other species using Ripspace for intergalactic travel?"
"You can indeed use Ripspace to travel to distant reaches of space." Calanthra explains. "But... you have to pay a certain price. Akasha's Barriers still protect every galaxy. Cosmics cannot travel between them easily. Mortals can, but the price we must pay is unimaginably steep. That is also the reason my mother perished not long after arriving in the Milky Way and giving birth to me."
The Fairy Monarch sighs softly.
"My people used the power of Ripspace to travel to several other galaxies. We were fortunate that the Creator had died, allowing us to take up residence here in secret, but the Angels, Titans, and Dragons were still a threat we could not overlook. Later, the Volgrim rose up too, and that was something that worried us for a while. Particularly when their Sentinels began to rapaciously erase the lives of innumerable Sentients."
She waves her hand. "Ultimately, very few galaxies didn't have a Ruler in power. Traveling to one that did meant flipping a coin and praying our people could avoid their gaze. Sadly, time has shown me that we were likely unsuccessful. I have lost contact with all my sisters across the cosmos."
The image of innumerable galaxies floating in the distance changes before Jason's eyes. Calanthra manipulates some unseen power, causing herself and Jason to suddenly materialize directly in front of a beautiful spiral galaxy.
"This is our Milky Way." Calanthra explains, waving her hand to conjure another, far bigger galaxy beside it. "And this is Andromeda."
"Is it just me or does Andromeda seem... brighter?" Jason asks.
"Andromeda contains far more interstellar particles, cosmic energy, and latent magical power than the Milky Way." Calanthra says. "Of course, in the ancient past, it had even more than it does now, but such is the way of entropy and Chaos."
Jason nods. "How exactly do galaxies lose power over time? Doesn't this feel self-defeating in a way?"
"Every Ruler enters the Unending War with a strategy." Calanthra says, motioning with her hands to disperse the galaxies and reveal images of ghostly creatures, some standing on two legs, some on four, and plenty that appear as mere blobs of energy. "I cannot pretend to know the thoughts of such high and mighty beings, especially as I am a mere mortal myself. Even so, I can definitively state that there are Rulers who seek to put as much galactic energy into their initial creations as possible, while others wish to adopt a more energy-efficient growth-model."
She pokes her finger against Jason's chest. "Take the angels and humans, for instance. The Creator poured the vast majority of his power into creating a galaxy full of Apex Cosmics. At their peak, the angels as a whole commanded enough power to flatten other galaxies. But what did they do instead? They fought with one another, killing themselves due to sheer boredom, if not outright ego."
"I see." Jason says, brushing Calanthra's finger away. "So the Creator dumped all the Milky Way's energy into the angels. I take it this is uncommon among Rulers?"
"Of course. It's a wasteful strategy and usually loses Rulers the War for that Eternity." Calanthra says dismissively. "The Timeless used a different strategy. She created the fairies as mere mortals that evolved over time, gaining greater and greater power through their own efforts. This meant that instead of devouring Andromeda's abundant Cosmic energy, they could slowly sap off its excess over time. For you see, the more energy a galaxy has, the more it can produce. If you ration it long enough, you can reap more of it across the duration of an Eternity."
"That makes sense." Jason concludes. "It's like a Rush build in an RTS versus an Economy build. You sacrifice long-term gains in exchange for short-term power. The problem is, with Akasha's Barriers preventing Rulers from attacking their enemies straight away, a Rush build is dumb because you're just wasting your resources and sacrificing Cosmic energy when you'll actually need it."
Calanthra blinks twice. She looks at Jason with a strange expression, then turns away for a moment, trying to understand the strange terms he's used. They mostly make sense, but some of them are a little...
She shakes her head and returns to the topic at hand. "Right. Rush strategy versus Economy. Of... course. Well, in any case, there is one advantage toward the first strategy. If you drain all the energy from your galaxy, it becomes less appealing for other Rulers to attack. Because Andromeda was so large and still filled with Cosmic power even billions of years after the Expansion Era, it stoked the hunger of the Dark Ones. Meanwhile, the Milky Way only needs to deal with the Plague, which is threatening for mortals, but manageable for Cosmics. In that respect, we've gotten off much luckier."
"I get the bigger picture now." Jason says with a nod. He turns to look back at the cosmos before him. "So, what about all this? Are we gonna go exploring, or what?"
"In order to explore the universe presented here, we would need to make sacrifices we cannot afford. I think you would find the price most disagreeable. But there is something we can explore freely..."
She waves her hand, and instantly, the brilliant and beautiful cosmic view of the universe vanishes.
In its place, Jason and Calanthra suddenly appear inside a dead, barren wasteland. Brown and grey dirt rises up in huge dunes stretching off into the distance. Fallen towers made of gold and stone lay on their sides, or stick into the ground, buried nearly up to their tops as they point diagonally toward the sky.
And speaking of the sky, it glows faintly grey, as if some weak, pale imitation of a star were trying to shine through a thin atmosphere clouded by dust and grime. The very air itself smells of sulfur and toxins, making Jason's nose curl up when he takes a breath.
"Ugh... what the hell? Where are we now?" Jason asks, as he turns and looks around at the dead world surrounding him.
"An Ancient Domain." Calanthra says softly. "A remnant of a dead universe. All life stripped away. All hope lost. Septillions of different Sentient species, gone. Their mortals, their Cosmics, reduced to dust by the Contraction."
The Wordsmith frowns. "This Ancient Domain represents a dead universe? But how can that be possible? If the Heat Death played out and all the galaxies faded to cosmic dust, then there already wouldn't be anything left. And then, if the entire universe collapsed into a singularity before exploding again, there definitely wouldn't be anything left behind resembling physical matter."
"You perceive reality through just three dimensions." Calanthra intones. "Time and space can be considered two dimensions. Cosmic Power is another dimension. I must admit I do not understand how Ancient Domains have continued to exist across countless Eternities, and I don't know how they retain a vaguely familiar form... but I can assure you that in spite of bending logic itself, they do exist and they can provide tangible benefits to those dedicated to exploring them."
"You've been exploring them, then?" Jason asks, turning away from the dead world to scrutinize Calanthra's phantasmal image.
"Me, a little. But often, I dispatch my descendants to scour these Ancient Domains for things of value. It may surprise you, but there are powerful artifacts, vengeful spirits, and all manner of other inter-dimensional horrors lurking within these so-called dead-lands."
Calanthra pauses. She shifts her posture to look at Jason deeply.
"And that is why I've brought you here, Jason. It's time for me to get down to the crux of the matter and breach the subject that I find most important."
He nods. "I'm listening."
"It's like this." Calanthra explains. "The Ancient Domains are unfathomably broad. Think of how large a universe is. Think of how many universes have existed. Think of how much space my people have yet to explore."
She pauses.
"The gains we have received have made my people stronger than you would expect. Among those gains are Yredelemnul's Eye and other leftover remnants of power that many dead ancient Rulers lost when their Existences became forfeit. While their tangible Existences may have perished, their spirits sometimes live on in these broad, unending dead universes..."
"That's why you approached me." Jason says, while crossing his arms and leaning on the ball of his heel. "You said you wanted an alliance with humanity. You... want humans to help you explore the Ancient Domains?"
"Trust is hard to come by among mortals, Cosmics, and Rulers." Calanthra says simply. "I never would have considered allying with the humans before, but you have shown me the broadness of your mind during the debate against your clone and the commander of your military. To some, you certainly appear naive, but to me I see an opportunity I would be foolish to ignore."
She continues. "The Fairies cannot reproduce efficiently. Every fairy we send into the Ancient Domain is one less fairy we have among our Empire. We already have a difficult time replenishing our numbers through the remaining Male Fairies, but do you think it is easy for us to reproduce with other species?"
Jason slowly shakes his head. "Blinker and Kar's children were all crocodiles, not fairies. From that, I can only imagine that most of the time, your mating attempts do not create more of yourselves, but instead more non-fairy children."
"That's exactly correct." Calanthra replies. "But that all changed recently when I found out one of your human males somehow spontaneously altered his genetic profile to become a fairy. There is no doubt about it; Samuel Baker harnesses all the capability to reproduce that you humans do, as well as the trueborn powers of any male fairy."
"So... are you seeking a marriage alliance with Samuel Baker?" Jason asks, scratching his head in confusion. "You could just ask him yourself, you know?"
"This is not about one man." Calanthra retorts. "Samuel Baker, if he were to join our ranks, would certainly help us stave off extinction for a while longer. But that is hardly worth all this melodrama and me taking you to the Ancient Domain in person..."
Jason's eyes widen in realization. "I see! You... you're thinking that if my magic could make one male fairy, I could surely make another, and another..."
"Yes, precisely." Calanthra says, revealing a beautiful smile. "Additionally, if humans were to assist us in scouring these Ancient Domains, we could make great gains together. There is plenty of room for another species to join ours in locating powerful artifacts and other items capable of Uplifting us."
"You want to become Cosmics still." Jason muses. "You haven't resigned yourselves to your current fate."
"Quite the opposite." Calanthra says. "The curse placed upon us is unbreakable by those beneath the realm of Ruler. As I said before, the fairies have lost this Eternity's war. However, while we cannot Ascend any longer, that does not mean the humans are subject to the same limitation. If we could groom a human into becoming the Milky Way's Ruler, we could finally break free of our shackles by virtue of having a powerful ally."
She pauses, looking meaningfully at the Wordsmith.
"If the Demons or the Volgrim were to become our Ruler, we would not enjoy such a benefit. At best, we would only maintain the status quo, and at worst, they might eradicate us out of fear of having an unsightly tumor in their midst."
"Haha." Jason laughs. "So you brought me here to show your sincerity. I get it. Well, I'm definitely not opposed to helping you. Blinker is my good friend. If she were to ask me, I'd definitely say yes to just about any request."
Jason turns away. He walks a few feet off to the side and pauses, standing to gaze out at the Ancient Domain and its endlessly rolling plains which stretches off into the infinite distance...
"Here's what I can do." Jason says. "My people are already working on laying out the options for humanity and where our fellow men and women will depart over the next few weeks. Some will travel to Maiura. Some will go to Sharmur. Some will stay on Tarus II. It's no trouble at all to put Pixiv on the list, especially as I was already planning to do that. I even have some other places I'd like to include, too..."
"Such as Camael's Cube?" Calanthra asks with a smile. "Or do you perhaps mean Chrona and Hope's Hall of Heroes?"
Jason nearly jumps out of his skin. He whirls around to look at Calanthra with shock in his eyes. "What?! How do you know about Chrona? How do you also know about where Hope has been hiding?? I don't even know that much!"
"For those who are talented in magic, it is possible to see through many lies and deceptions." Calanthra says calmly, unfazed by the alarm on Jason's face. "Your Spynet Sphere isn't so different from the many options I have at my disposal. I have many means to keep an eye on the galaxy. And while Diablo does not know exactly where or what Chrona is, he certainly knows of its general existence."
Her smile turns cold. "I would advise you not to take Unarin lightly either, Wordsmith. That ancient creature is more capable than you can imagine. He is hiding a great many secrets from the galaxy... secrets he does not know that I am aware of. If he were to learn of the true extent of my information web, I fear that he would dispatch a handful of High Psions to eliminate the fairy species tomorrow."
Calanthra's words truly rock Jason to his core. All along, he assumed the precautions he put on Chrona, precautions that fooled even Hope, would make his hidden dimension impossible to detect.
But how could he be so naive?
As the daughter of an Apex Cosmic, Calanthra must have her means, and that likely means Unarin and Diablo aren't too far behind either.
"Shit." Jason curses, lowering his head as a flicker of anger smolders in his heart. "I was too complacent. Chrona isn't secure, which means it's only a matter of time before more Cosmics learn of its existence. How long before they can find its exact location and invade it?"
"Calm yourself, child." Calanthra says soothingly. "The situation is not that dire. After all, Chrona still exists within a highly accelerated timespace. Any biological entity that wishes to travel there could suffer severe after-effects. Furthermore, the entities born inside will be too adapted to living within a higher dimension, so they won't pose much threat to the creatures of realspace."
She waves her hand. "Let's move on, Jason. I want to discuss other matters before dying of old age."
The Wordsmith cools himself off. He inhales deeply, then returns his attention to her.
"Alright. What next, then?"
"Fairies are not the only Sentients capable of entering Ancient Domains." Calanthra explains. "There are others who rarely appear inside here. That is why exploring these domains can be dangerous. The good news is that Cosmics have little need to enter these barren lands, as most of the heritages, treasures, and other such gains you might find inside are only useful to mortals. There are exceptions, but they are so rare as to be a needle found within ten million haystacks. A waste of effort better spent simply progressing one's Cosmic power the ordinary way."
"So what you're saying is, when you send fairies into an Ancient Domain, they can die as a result of crossing paths with Sentients from other galaxies." Jason concludes. "But if you had an army of humans to enter with you, your people would be a lot safer."
"Safety in numbers, yes. And you humans are... uniquely advantaged in Ancient Domain exploration." Calanthra says mysteriously. "Before that, though... do you know what the Power of Imagination is, Wordsmith?"
Jason raises an eyebrow. "Imagination? Like the mental ability to visualize stuff in your head? Yeah. It's not that complicated to understand."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong." Calanthra chides gently. "Imagination is the key to magical power. Imagination, Conception, Visualization, these are all key capabilities powerful maguses and sorcerors use to uplift their capabilities! And as it turns out, most Sentients are actually quite terrible at conceptualizing thoughts into imagery."
She gestures grandly. "Just take the Volgrim! You may think they are a powerful Sentient species, but in fact the Volgrim have terrible imaginations. They are stodgy, dull, and lack a great deal of creativity. All the gains their Technopaths make through technology are developed via brute force. They slowly improve their technological prowess by minute fractions over long periods of time, eventually resulting in a large and cohesive buildup."
"At the same time, the Psions Uplift themselves through meditation and sitting motionless for thousands of years at a time. Can a species capable of such incredible feats of drudgery also possess limitless imagination? I think not."
"Maybe the reason they're able to sit still for so long is because they live in their imagination?" Jason posits. "In which case their power of imagination should be quite formidable, right?"
"Possible, but unlikely." Calanthra says with a wave of her hand. "Never mind that. The point I'm trying to make is that humans have an extremely high affinity for magic. If your people were to ally with mine, we could teach you our ways. You could help us through your Wordsmithing and superior genetics, creating more fairies and humans alike. This would create a recursive cycle that would continually bolster both our species to greater and greater heights!"
She lowers her voice back to normal. "An alliance with humanity would have other benefits. You humans are equally adept in technology and magic both. You are versatile, capable of learning any skill provided you have time to devote to your studies. The bursts of inspiration you receive also allow you to make large jumps in capability as well, which could mean that in a relatively short period, you might even be capable of challenging the Volgrim."
Jason nods. "That does sound tempting, Calanthra. I'm willing to help you, but I won't demand my people join the fairies. It would be better if those who were the most interested did so instead."
Calanthra playfully twirls a finger through her hair. "Well. My daughters are all beautiful. Perhaps you should make mention that the fairies are... aggressively interested in copulation?"
"COUGH COUGH!" Jason wheezes, taking a step back as he asses her bold choice of words. "Yeah! Uh, I can probably- I'll let everyone know about that too. Obviously!"
Calanthra chuckles. "Such a cute boy. Well, it seems I've accomplished what I wanted. Let's return for now. You can always pay Ripspace a visit later."
"I will." Jason says, nodding seriously. "Waypoint."
Calanthra raises an eyebrow. "You think you can return here without a Ruler's power?"
"Won't know unless I try." Jason smiles back.
...
Not long after, Jason and Calanthra emerge back into Realspace. He shivers as he feels the Eye of Yredelemnul fixating on him from behind, but Calanthra quickly reactivates the Formation of Light, sending the sliver of a Ruler back to the shadows so it can no longer interact with the physical world.
"You know, Jason." Calanthra says. "You are a Candidate. You have the capability to become a Ruler someday."
"I am?" Jason asks, before thinking back to a conversation in the past. "Oh yeah, someone did mention that to me before. But... eh. I don't know. Becoming a Ruler sounds awful."
"Awful?" Calanthra asks. "How so?"
"It seems... lonely." Jason says, his voice softening. He looks at the space between the four statues, where Yredelemnul's Eye has disappeared. "Imagine all your loved ones dying, but you're stuck behind, living through the end of an Eternity, which takes trillions of years before Heat Death finally eradicates everything. Then comes the next Eternity, where you can remake your species again... but it won't be the same. Even if you remake your loved ones, it won't really be them."
Jason lowers and shakes his head. "That sort of life doesn't suit me."
"I understand why you'd think that way." Calanthra says. "In fact, you are suffering from the same affliction that plagues all Candidates who began their Existences as Biologicals. We have too many ties to the mortal world, so the majority of Biologicals who ascend to the rank of Ruler... fall to their non-biological opponents."
"As for the things which are not biological..." Calanthra says, looking at Jason with disgust. "You should already know what they are."
"Highly evolved Artificial Intelligences?" Jason guesses.
"That's right." Calanthra affirms. "There are several tiers of power a superintelligence can possess. The Volgrim have taken great care to prevent anything above a Beta Core from forming in the Milky Way, but once, a long time ago... they made a huge mess by accidentally creating the Milky Way's first Alpha Core Synthmind."
Calanthra chuckles. "The stupid fools didn't only create an Alpha Core, they gave it autonomy in the hopes it would be able to stop the wars between their factions. They built indestructible bipedal bodies for its splintered intelligences, and called them... Sentinels. Luckily, they were able to defeat the Alpha Core before it ascended further, but countless other biological species have failed at that juncture, creating an Alpha Core that ultimately devoured the full power of their galaxy for itself."
A chill trickles down Jason's spine. "You're saying the vast majority of Rulers are actually Alpha Core AIs? AIs that control entire galaxies?!"
"No, Jason." Calanthra counters. "Alpha Cores can defeat advanced civilizations. But there is one Existence higher than an Alpha Core, a tier that can only be reached once it has swallowed the power of a galaxy."
"That would be an Omega Core. a sentient artificial intelligence that has become Ruler over one or more galaxies. And in Akasha's game, more than 90% of all Rulers are estimated to be these superior lifeforms."
"It is for that reason that these highly adaptable entities are known as The Evolved."

"Hell yeah, I wanna go exploring." Jason says to Calanthra with a smile. "How do we navigate around Ripspace though? Traveling to other galaxies is going to take billions of years, right? Surely, there's a shortcut."
"Ripspace is not as it seems." Calanthra explains, gesturing grandly to the epic sight before them. "It is a connection between the past and the present; the near and far. The further away or the further back you want to travel, the higher the price you will have to pay."
Jason's smile vanishes. "Wait... you can use Ripspace to travel back in time?!"
"No." Calanthra clarifies. "Time is linear. We cannot travel through it. Some can slow it down or speed it up. A rare few can even pause it for a short while. But moving forward and backward is impossible. Countless have attempted to do so over the eons, but all have failed."
She looks at Jason meaningfully. "Many Rulers would wipe out galaxies if it might let them obtain such a power. The fact they still haven't proves it is impossible."
Jason nods slowly. "I won't lie. I have a lot of regrets. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and save my daughter from dying."
"Everyone has regrets." Calanthra muses, looking off into the distance. "I have plenty, myself. But it's better this way. There would be pandemonium if time travel ever became possible."
She pauses before continuing with her explanation. "While we cannot go back in time, we can look back into time. Pinpointing exact moments in history is difficult, to say the least, but it is possible to use Ripspace to search for key moments in intergalactic history."
"So it's like a massive seer-stone." Jason muses aloud. "But wait, didn't you imply earlier that you used Ripspace to travel to the Milky Way from Andromeda? How does it allow you to jump between galaxies? Are other species using Ripspace for intergalactic travel?"
"You can indeed use Ripspace to travel to distant reaches of space." Calanthra explains. "But... you have to pay a certain price. Akasha's Barriers still protect every galaxy. Cosmics cannot travel between them easily. Mortals can, but the price we must pay is unimaginably steep. That is also the reason my mother perished not long after arriving in the Milky Way and giving birth to me."
The Fairy Monarch sighs softly.
"My people used the power of Ripspace to travel to several other galaxies. We were fortunate that the Creator had died, allowing us to take up residence here in secret, but the Angels, Titans, and Dragons were still a threat we could not overlook. Later, the Volgrim rose up too, and that was something that worried us for a while. Particularly when their Sentinels began to rapaciously erase the lives of innumerable Sentients."
She waves her hand. "Ultimately, very few galaxies didn't have a Ruler in power. Traveling to one that did meant flipping a coin and praying our people could avoid their gaze. Sadly, time has shown me that we were likely unsuccessful. I have lost contact with all my sisters across the cosmos."
The image of innumerable galaxies floating in the distance changes before Jason's eyes. Calanthra manipulates some unseen power, causing herself and Jason to suddenly materialize directly in front of a beautiful spiral galaxy.
"This is our Milky Way." Calanthra explains, waving her hand to conjure another, far bigger galaxy beside it. "And this is Andromeda."
"Is it just me or does Andromeda seem... brighter?" Jason asks.
"Andromeda contains far more interstellar particles, cosmic energy, and latent magical power than the Milky Way." Calanthra says. "Of course, in the ancient past, it had even more than it does now, but such is the way of entropy and Chaos."
Jason nods. "How exactly do galaxies lose power over time? Doesn't this feel self-defeating in a way?"
"Every Ruler enters the Unending War with a strategy." Calanthra says, motioning with her hands to disperse the galaxies and reveal images of ghostly creatures, some standing on two legs, some on four, and plenty that appear as mere blobs of energy. "I cannot pretend to know the thoughts of such high and mighty beings, especially as I am a mere mortal myself. Even so, I can definitively state that there are Rulers who seek to put as much galactic energy into their initial creations as possible, while others wish to adopt a more energy-efficient growth-model."
She pokes her finger against Jason's chest. "Take the angels and humans, for instance. The Creator poured the vast majority of his power into creating a galaxy full of Apex Cosmics. At their peak, the angels as a whole commanded enough power to flatten other galaxies. But what did they do instead? They fought with one another, killing themselves due to sheer boredom, if not outright ego."
"I see." Jason says, brushing Calanthra's finger away. "So the Creator dumped all the Milky Way's energy into the angels. I take it this is uncommon among Rulers?"
"Of course. It's a wasteful strategy and usually loses Rulers the War for that Eternity." Calanthra says dismissively. "The Timeless used a different strategy. She created the fairies as mere mortals that evolved over time, gaining greater and greater power through their own efforts. This meant that instead of devouring Andromeda's abundant Cosmic energy, they could slowly sap off its excess over time. For you see, the more energy a galaxy has, the more it can produce. If you ration it long enough, you can reap more of it across the duration of an Eternity."
"That makes sense." Jason concludes. "It's like a Rush build in an RTS versus an Economy build. You sacrifice long-term gains in exchange for short-term power. The problem is, with Akasha's Barriers preventing Rulers from attacking their enemies straight away, a Rush build is dumb because you're just wasting your resources and sacrificing Cosmic energy when you'll actually need it."
Calanthra blinks twice. She looks at Jason with a strange expression, then turns away for a moment, trying to understand the strange terms he's used. They mostly make sense, but some of them are a little...
She shakes her head and returns to the topic at hand. "Right. Rush strategy versus Economy. Of... course. Well, in any case, there is one advantage toward the first strategy. If you drain all the energy from your galaxy, it becomes less appealing for other Rulers to attack. Because Andromeda was so large and still filled with Cosmic power even billions of years after the Expansion Era, it stoked the hunger of the Dark Ones. Meanwhile, the Milky Way only needs to deal with the Plague, which is threatening for mortals, but manageable for Cosmics. In that respect, we've gotten off much luckier."
"I get the bigger picture now." Jason says with a nod. He turns to look back at the cosmos before him. "So, what about all this? Are we gonna go exploring, or what?"
"In order to explore the universe presented here, we would need to make sacrifices we cannot afford. I think you would find the price most disagreeable. But there is something we can explore freely..."
She waves her hand, and instantly, the brilliant and beautiful cosmic view of the universe vanishes.
In its place, Jason and Calanthra suddenly appear inside a dead, barren wasteland. Brown and grey dirt rises up in huge dunes stretching off into the distance. Fallen towers made of gold and stone lay on their sides, or stick into the ground, buried nearly up to their tops as they point diagonally toward the sky.
And speaking of the sky, it glows faintly grey, as if some weak, pale imitation of a star were trying to shine through a thin atmosphere clouded by dust and grime. The very air itself smells of sulfur and toxins, making Jason's nose curl up when he takes a breath.
"Ugh... what the hell? Where are we now?" Jason asks, as he turns and looks around at the dead world surrounding him.
"An Ancient Domain." Calanthra says softly. "A remnant of a dead universe. All life stripped away. All hope lost. Septillions of different Sentient species, gone. Their mortals, their Cosmics, reduced to dust by the Contraction."
The Wordsmith frowns. "This Ancient Domain represents a dead universe? But how can that be possible? If the Heat Death played out and all the galaxies faded to cosmic dust, then there already wouldn't be anything left. And then, if the entire universe collapsed into a singularity before exploding again, there definitely wouldn't be anything left behind resembling physical matter."
"You perceive reality through just three dimensions." Calanthra intones. "Time and space can be considered two dimensions. Cosmic Power is another dimension. I must admit I do not understand how Ancient Domains have continued to exist across countless Eternities, and I don't know how they retain a vaguely familiar form... but I can assure you that in spite of bending logic itself, they do exist and they can provide tangible benefits to those dedicated to exploring them."
"You've been exploring them, then?" Jason asks, turning away from the dead world to scrutinize Calanthra's phantasmal image.
"Me, a little. But often, I dispatch my descendants to scour these Ancient Domains for things of value. It may surprise you, but there are powerful artifacts, vengeful spirits, and all manner of other inter-dimensional horrors lurking within these so-called dead-lands."
Calanthra pauses. She shifts her posture to look at Jason deeply.
"And that is why I've brought you here, Jason. It's time for me to get down to the crux of the matter and breach the subject that I find most important."
He nods. "I'm listening."
"It's like this." Calanthra explains. "The Ancient Domains are unfathomably broad. Think of how large a universe is. Think of how many universes have existed. Think of how much space my people have yet to explore."
She pauses.
"The gains we have received have made my people stronger than you would expect. Among those gains are Yredelemnul's Eye and other leftover remnants of power that many dead ancient Rulers lost when their Existences became forfeit. While their tangible Existences may have perished, their spirits sometimes live on in these broad, unending dead universes..."
"That's why you approached me." Jason says, while crossing his arms and leaning on the ball of his heel. "You said you wanted an alliance with humanity. You... want humans to help you explore the Ancient Domains?"
"Trust is hard to come by among mortals, Cosmics, and Rulers." Calanthra says simply. "I never would have considered allying with the humans before, but you have shown me the broadness of your mind during the debate against your clone and the commander of your military. To some, you certainly appear naive, but to me I see an opportunity I would be foolish to ignore."
She continues. "The Fairies cannot reproduce efficiently. Every fairy we send into the Ancient Domain is one less fairy we have among our Empire. We already have a difficult time replenishing our numbers through the remaining Male Fairies, but do you think it is easy for us to reproduce with other species?"
Jason slowly shakes his head. "Blinker and Kar's children were all crocodiles, not fairies. From that, I can only imagine that most of the time, your mating attempts do not create more of yourselves, but instead more non-fairy children."
"That's exactly correct." Calanthra replies. "But that all changed recently when I found out one of your human males somehow spontaneously altered his genetic profile to become a fairy. There is no doubt about it; Samuel Baker harnesses all the capability to reproduce that you humans do, as well as the trueborn powers of any male fairy."
"So... are you seeking a marriage alliance with Samuel Baker?" Jason asks, scratching his head in confusion. "You could just ask him yourself, you know?"
"This is not about one man." Calanthra retorts. "Samuel Baker, if he were to join our ranks, would certainly help us stave off extinction for a while longer. But that is hardly worth all this melodrama and me taking you to the Ancient Domain in person..."
Jason's eyes widen in realization. "I see! You... you're thinking that if my magic could make one male fairy, I could surely make another, and another..."
"Yes, precisely." Calanthra says, revealing a beautiful smile. "Additionally, if humans were to assist us in scouring these Ancient Domains, we could make great gains together. There is plenty of room for another species to join ours in locating powerful artifacts and other items capable of Uplifting us."
"You want to become Cosmics still." Jason muses. "You haven't resigned yourselves to your current fate."
"Quite the opposite." Calanthra says. "The curse placed upon us is unbreakable by those beneath the realm of Ruler. As I said before, the fairies have lost this Eternity's war. However, while we cannot Ascend any longer, that does not mean the humans are subject to the same limitation. If we could groom a human into becoming the Milky Way's Ruler, we could finally break free of our shackles by virtue of having a powerful ally."
She pauses, looking meaningfully at the Wordsmith.
"If the Demons or the Volgrim were to become our Ruler, we would not enjoy such a benefit. At best, we would only maintain the status quo, and at worst, they might eradicate us out of fear of having an unsightly tumor in their midst."
"Haha." Jason laughs. "So you brought me here to show your sincerity. I get it. Well, I'm definitely not opposed to helping you. Blinker is my good friend. If she were to ask me, I'd definitely say yes to just about any request."
Jason turns away. He walks a few feet off to the side and pauses, standing to gaze out at the Ancient Domain and its endlessly rolling plains which stretches off into the infinite distance...
"Here's what I can do." Jason says. "My people are already working on laying out the options for humanity and where our fellow men and women will depart over the next few weeks. Some will travel to Maiura. Some will go to Sharmur. Some will stay on Tarus II. It's no trouble at all to put Pixiv on the list, especially as I was already planning to do that. I even have some other places I'd like to include, too..."
"Such as Camael's Cube?" Calanthra asks with a smile. "Or do you perhaps mean Chrona and Hope's Hall of Heroes?"
Jason nearly jumps out of his skin. He whirls around to look at Calanthra with shock in his eyes. "What?! How do you know about Chrona? How do you also know about where Hope has been hiding?? I don't even know that much!"
"For those who are talented in magic, it is possible to see through many lies and deceptions." Calanthra says calmly, unfazed by the alarm on Jason's face. "Your Spynet Sphere isn't so different from the many options I have at my disposal. I have many means to keep an eye on the galaxy. And while Diablo does not know exactly where or what Chrona is, he certainly knows of its general existence."
Her smile turns cold. "I would advise you not to take Unarin lightly either, Wordsmith. That ancient creature is more capable than you can imagine. He is hiding a great many secrets from the galaxy... secrets he does not know that I am aware of. If he were to learn of the true extent of my information web, I fear that he would dispatch a handful of High Psions to eliminate the fairy species tomorrow."
Calanthra's words truly rock Jason to his core. All along, he assumed the precautions he put on Chrona, precautions that fooled even Hope, would make his hidden dimension impossible to detect.
But how could he be so naive?
As the daughter of an Apex Cosmic, Calanthra must have her means, and that likely means Unarin and Diablo aren't too far behind either.
"Shit." Jason curses, lowering his head as a flicker of anger smolders in his heart. "I was too complacent. Chrona isn't secure, which means it's only a matter of time before more Cosmics learn of its existence. How long before they can find its exact location and invade it?"
"Calm yourself, child." Calanthra says soothingly. "The situation is not that dire. After all, Chrona still exists within a highly accelerated timespace. Any biological entity that wishes to travel there could suffer severe after-effects. Furthermore, the entities born inside will be too adapted to living within a higher dimension, so they won't pose much threat to the creatures of realspace."
She waves her hand. "Let's move on, Jason. I want to discuss other matters before dying of old age."
The Wordsmith cools himself off. He inhales deeply, then returns his attention to her.
"Alright. What next, then?"
"Fairies are not the only Sentients capable of entering Ancient Domains." Calanthra explains. "There are others who rarely appear inside here. That is why exploring these domains can be dangerous. The good news is that Cosmics have little need to enter these barren lands, as most of the heritages, treasures, and other such gains you might find inside are only useful to mortals. There are exceptions, but they are so rare as to be a needle found within ten million haystacks. A waste of effort better spent simply progressing one's Cosmic power the ordinary way."
"So what you're saying is, when you send fairies into an Ancient Domain, they can die as a result of crossing paths with Sentients from other galaxies." Jason concludes. "But if you had an army of humans to enter with you, your people would be a lot safer."
"Safety in numbers, yes. And you humans are... uniquely advantaged in Ancient Domain exploration." Calanthra says mysteriously. "Before that, though... do you know what the Power of Imagination is, Wordsmith?"
Jason raises an eyebrow. "Imagination? Like the mental ability to visualize stuff in your head? Yeah. It's not that complicated to understand."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong." Calanthra chides gently. "Imagination is the key to magical power. Imagination, Conception, Visualization, these are all key capabilities powerful maguses and sorcerors use to uplift their capabilities! And as it turns out, most Sentients are actually quite terrible at conceptualizing thoughts into imagery."
She gestures grandly. "Just take the Volgrim! You may think they are a powerful Sentient species, but in fact the Volgrim have terrible imaginations. They are stodgy, dull, and lack a great deal of creativity. All the gains their Technopaths make through technology are developed via brute force. They slowly improve their technological prowess by minute fractions over long periods of time, eventually resulting in a large and cohesive buildup."
"At the same time, the Psions Uplift themselves through meditation and sitting motionless for thousands of years at a time. Can a species capable of such incredible feats of drudgery also possess limitless imagination? I think not."
"Maybe the reason they're able to sit still for so long is because they live in their imagination?" Jason posits. "In which case their power of imagination should be quite formidable, right?"
"Possible, but unlikely." Calanthra says with a wave of her hand. "Never mind that. The point I'm trying to make is that humans have an extremely high affinity for magic. If your people were to ally with mine, we could teach you our ways. You could help us through your Wordsmithing and superior genetics, creating more fairies and humans alike. This would create a recursive cycle that would continually bolster both our species to greater and greater heights!"
She lowers her voice back to normal. "An alliance with humanity would have other benefits. You humans are equally adept in technology and magic both. You are versatile, capable of learning any skill provided you have time to devote to your studies. The bursts of inspiration you receive also allow you to make large jumps in capability as well, which could mean that in a relatively short period, you might even be capable of challenging the Volgrim."
Jason nods. "That does sound tempting, Calanthra. I'm willing to help you, but I won't demand my people join the fairies. It would be better if those who were the most interested did so instead."
Calanthra playfully twirls a finger through her hair. "Well. My daughters are all beautiful. Perhaps you should make mention that the fairies are... aggressively interested in copulation?"
"COUGH COUGH!" Jason wheezes, taking a step back as he asses her bold choice of words. "Yeah! Uh, I can probably- I'll let everyone know about that too. Obviously!"
Calanthra chuckles. "Such a cute boy. Well, it seems I've accomplished what I wanted. Let's return for now. You can always pay Ripspace a visit later."
"I will." Jason says, nodding seriously. "Waypoint."
Calanthra raises an eyebrow. "You think you can return here without a Ruler's power?"
"Won't know unless I try." Jason smiles back.
...
Not long after, Jason and Calanthra emerge back into Realspace. He shivers as he feels the Eye of Yredelemnul fixating on him from behind, but Calanthra quickly reactivates the Formation of Light, sending the sliver of a Ruler back to the shadows so it can no longer interact with the physical world.
"You know, Jason." Calanthra says. "You are a Candidate. You have the capability to become a Ruler someday."
"I am?" Jason asks, before thinking back to a conversation in the past. "Oh yeah, someone did mention that to me before. But... eh. I don't know. Becoming a Ruler sounds awful."
"Awful?" Calanthra asks. "How so?"
"It seems... lonely." Jason says, his voice softening. He looks at the space between the four statues, where Yredelemnul's Eye has disappeared. "Imagine all your loved ones dying, but you're stuck behind, living through the end of an Eternity, which takes trillions of years before Heat Death finally eradicates everything. Then comes the next Eternity, where you can remake your species again... but it won't be the same. Even if you remake your loved ones, it won't really be them."
Jason lowers and shakes his head. "That sort of life doesn't suit me."
"I understand why you'd think that way." Calanthra says. "In fact, you are suffering from the same affliction that plagues all Candidates who began their Existences as Biologicals. We have too many ties to the mortal world, so the majority of Biologicals who ascend to the rank of Ruler... fall to their non-biological opponents."
"As for the things which are not biological..." Calanthra says, looking at Jason with disgust. "You should already know what they are."
"Highly evolved Artificial Intelligences?" Jason guesses.
"That's right." Calanthra affirms. "There are several tiers of power a superintelligence can possess. The Volgrim have taken great care to prevent anything above a Beta Core from forming in the Milky Way, but once, a long time ago... they made a huge mess by accidentally creating the Milky Way's first Alpha Core Synthmind."
Calanthra chuckles. "The stupid fools didn't only create an Alpha Core, they gave it autonomy in the hopes it would be able to stop the wars between their factions. They built indestructible bipedal bodies for its splintered intelligences, and called them... Sentinels. Luckily, they were able to defeat the Alpha Core before it ascended further, but countless other biological species have failed at that juncture, creating an Alpha Core that ultimately devoured the full power of their galaxy for itself."
A chill trickles down Jason's spine. "You're saying the vast majority of Rulers are actually Alpha Core AIs? AIs that control entire galaxies?!"
"No, Jason." Calanthra counters. "Alpha Cores can defeat advanced civilizations. But there is one Existence higher than an Alpha Core, a tier that can only be reached once it has swallowed the power of a galaxy."
"That would be an Omega Core. a sentient artificial intelligence that has become Ruler over one or more galaxies. And in Akasha's game, more than 90% of all Rulers are estimated to be these superior lifeforms."
"It is for that reason that these highly adaptable entities are known as The Evolved."

Maybe that’s why I’ve always struggled socially. One day, a girl fell in front of me having a seizure, naturally I rushed over her so she doesn’t hurt herself in a bad way ( tongue biting) and to my surprise no one else did. One day, I broke my leg and was going to uni to pass my finals. As I was struggling walking with crutches reaching for the escalator, no one cared to let me pass first and many took space and would nearly make me fall.
The thing is, maybe your family, partner and close friends would care about you in a good way. But the rest? Absolutely no one except few humans left with True character and values.
As a result I’m unapologetically myself and simply don’t give a fuck saying the most controversial opinions on earth and talking to whoever I want to and asking for what I want no matter the situation. Putting boundaries with authoritative figures and genuinely just pure disregard for social rules. Just pure boldness. Seriously? Will it matter in 1day? 1 week? 1 year? I don’t even remember what I say/so let alone others.
Most people spend their lives thinking about what others will say and think about them when in reality everyone is too self centered to care about anyone else. The only person who will always be there with you is yourself.
Downside: people are scared off with being too bold and don’t approach me. Others find me funny for my disregard of social rules and others befriend me. At least I know they like me for who I am and not a Persona. A win is a win.

So I (30f) and my best friend for years (26M) let's call him John. So John and I have been best friends for many many years, about 3 years ago he moved about 2 hours away from me. We still talked every day or played video games together every night, that was our thing. Well about 6 months ago he started dating this girl (25f) let's call her Mary. Well Mary has a 1 yr old daughter, after only 2 months he moved her into his house. That didn't bother me I tried to be Mary's friend I sent Christmas gifts for her and her daughter, we had no issues until about a month ago. John stopped calling me or answering my calls or getting on Xbox or anything. For context I have never let anyone come in between our friendship ever, well Mary was ok with us being friends until I lost my job and could no longer send money to help them with bills or gifts, I used to even order instacart with groceries for them and baby food and anything else they needed. For context they do both work, I was just trying to help them out since I used to make more than enough to pay my bills and have some extra, now my boyfriend is the one paying the bills and we can't afford to do a lot of extra stuff. Back to John and Mary...... One day I just stopped getting phone calls, messages or video calls and he would ignore my calls and messages in return. I finally got a call about 3 weeks ago and I said "oh wow haven't heard from you, are you guys ok? How is Mary and the baby doing? I hope all is well" he responded with "yeah Mary went to the store so I can call you" Inside my head I'm thinking in my best Charlotte impression "I beg your finest pardon?" Then he had the audacity to ask me for money. I am only a friend as long as I'm doing for them, as soon as I couldn't afford to help them I'm a no body. Might I add they both currently work full time each. I was only helping because I am that kind of friend. I stopped hearing from them again for weeks, I'm guessing he could only talk to me with her not around. Anyway, fast forward to May 5th 2024, it is my 30th birthday. I didn't do anything that day but I the following weekend I had family over and we had hamburgers and played music and enjoyed each other's company. I heard nothing from John or Mary. I waited to see if I would at least get a text. I didn't ask anyone for anything but I figured I could at least get a text saying happy birthday. I didn't think that was too much to ask it takes 5 seconds and it would have meant a lot to me. Well I still haven't heard anything from either of them. So I sent John a text saying all I asked was to be acknowledged for one day, he didn't have to get me anything all I wanted was a text or a call just saying happy birthday. He read the message and did not reply. In fact he messaged my boyfriend let's call him Tom (31M) he told Tom that I was bothering him and that Mary was getting suspicious and thought him and I were sleeping together behind her back since I was no longer paying her bills for her there had to be something going on behind her back. First of all, it was ok when I was buying stuff for them and her daughter but now that I can't all of a sudden I'm sleeping with him. She had no issues with our friendship when I was sending money. So I sent John one last message and told him if he wanted to be with her that's fine whatever but I will no longer send them money or associate with her in any way shape or form. I am not an ATM and I will not be used as such. John had never asked me for money at any point in our friendship I helped because I wanted to. But, I told him if I didn't matter to him enough to send a two word text then I must not matter enough to receive my money and I would have nothing to do with them until they get their priorities straight. I have heard nothing from them but John has messaged Tom many times asking if I would answer my phone so he could ask me for help. No, nope, nata, no sir, not, nothing and not going to happen. I put my foot down and I've stood by it. Tom tells me I'm being petty and should talk to him and see if John and I can work things out. I told him I would work things out with John if he stopped asking for money and allowing Mary to come in between our friendship. I don't know if I'm just being overly petty or if I'm not being petty enough haha. Please reddit help me out, am I over reacting just because he didn't message me on my birthday or should I cave and help them again?

I’m in a group of four friends. It’s super fun hanging out with them and stuff. Actually, the THOUGHT of hanging out with them is fun. Once we actually are together, I feel drained? I don’t know why.
We got really close junior year, but there is a duo in the group. For instance, they tag each other in tiktoks like “you are the chocolate to my vanilla”, somebody talking abt how they love their best friend, etc. Like yeah, they are closer, but is it wrong of me to be jealous? They have their own inside jokes that I don’t understand and I just kinda laugh it off when they avoid telling me what their jokes mean. I get because it’s something between them and it was probably about something that was only funny in the moment, but it just sucks not feeling included.
My other friend, outside of the duo, makes very offensive and strange comments towards my eating habits. I am embarrassed to eat in front of other people in public, so I usually eat a lot at home and little when we hang out. I am very open about this too. But if I ever reject food because I am either not hungry or don’t like it (I’m a picky eater) she ALWAYS butts into the conversation to say “she doesn’t eat anything anyways”. And if I talk about how I really liked a pizza (I had two slices) she goes “you barely ate it”. No matter what I say about any topic regarding food, she always has to bring me down in some way. The thing I find most odd about this is she barely eats in front of people either. Before school and during school she eats absolutely nothing. I have never said anything about it. And even the other day she bragged to me about how she “only ate a rice crispy today”. But I’m the one who doesn’t eat?
I love to crochet. I make crochet room decor and stuffed animals for my friends for their birthdays. I’m always really proud of it. However, I was recently talking to two of my friends how I want to crochet something for my other friend for her birthday, and they burst out laughing. They started telling me to stop crocheting stuff because nobody knows what to do with “dumb room decor and stuffed animals”. I just laughed but it actually really hurt. I thought they liked that stuff because for one, they all have a tower of stuffed animals in their room, and two, they have all have a pinterest board full of similar room decor. I put so much effort into crocheting that it was so hurtful to see that they don’t even care about what I made. I understand not everybody likes crochet stuff, and maybe I am sensitive, but I feel they were being a little harsh about it?
I feel like if I disappeared one day, the only thing different in their lives would be their grades. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even feel a difference. They always ask me for homework answers, which I usually give because I am a people pleaser. It’s just upsetting to see that when I ask for a favor in return, like maybe I just want them to send me the answer key for my homework so that I can check my work, they don’t help. They stop answering my texts and change the subject. Also to add on, I am only seen for my intelligence and not my personality. I don’t even talk about grades unless somebody asks me what I got on a test. I just want to be seen as a real person with real interests, and not just somebody who does well in school.
I’m always out of the loop. My friend keeps going back to her ex and then breaking up with him. It seems that all my friends know when they are back together but me. It’s always a surprise to me when I hear her say boyfriend instead of ex, but everybody else looks as if they already knew. I’m sitting there trying to process when she got back with him, while they continue the conversation as normal.
One of them constantly makes fun of me. She refuses to eat anything I eat, drink anything I drink, or wear anything I wear in fear of “turning into” me. I can never tell if it’s a joke or not. She always comments on my “grandma“ clothes and makes fun of them, when it’s literally just jeans and a graphic sweatshirt? This might sound really stupid, but she’ll drink out of ANYBODYS water. If they are sick, a stranger, whoever. But when she said “I’m soooo thirsty” and I offered her my water bottle she said “Ew I don’t want your water I’ll turn into you”. And she seriously refused my water. I’m sorry this probably sounds so dumb.
There’s a lot more, but am I sensitive or is there actually an issue?

Ok I have a friend let’s call her Tracy. I’ve known Tracy since Feb 2023 we met on an influencer group on a brand trip. Around Aug 2023 I moved to her city. We started hanging out a lot and I noticed She still had her moments where she’s very tit for tat about money. I never had a problem with it because I was good for it, but in Jan I was relieved from my main source of income. I started to struggle and was even homeless for a while. I asked if I could stay with her and offered to pay. Stayed with her for only a month and I noticed how self absorbed she is. When I would talk to Tracy, she would always make it about her, cut me off or try to see how she can get out of something for nothing. When I would show her something cool that I did or created she would ask me to do it for free knowing that something that I would want to charge for it.
There was a point where I was really struggling so I asked to borrow some money. I did what I needed to do for her for the first half but it took me about two months to pay her the rest of the money back because I was still working to survive. Fast forward a couple months… Her birthday is at the beginning of the month and she spent about over $5000 on her birthday activities. She didn’t come out of pocket because a few homeboys and boys she’s messing with sent her the money. The only thing that she wanted from her friends was a specific cake. I was searching for the cake and I was gonna see if me and all of her friends could split it. She told me that she ended up finding and buying the cake then told her other friends to send her a $50-$100 donation towards the event. Then she said for me to just send her $100 to go towards the cake. I didn't do it cuz I didn’t budget that into my expenses.
I ended up leaving her birthday event early because I had an allergic reaction to something and broke out in hives. I almost passed out and left because I didn’t wanna make a big deal on her birthday. When I got back, she was making jokes about how She wanted to “know what I had an allergic reaction to in case she ever wanted to kill me.” . Then the next day she kept trying to force me to do what I suspected gave me a bad reaction because it was her birthday. She kept “jokingly” calling me selfish for not doing so.
Recently Ive been better about my money. I would tell Tracy about it thinking she’d be happy for me. Her first reaction was “good now give me $100.” When I tell her to ask people who have it she would say “They paid for my birthday already I want YOUR money”. I said that I’ll take her out on a nice date as a joke, but I don’t even want to do that because she previously admitted that she orders a bunch of stuff… Stuff she doesn’t even really want if somebody else is paying.
Right now, I am more comfortable financially to be able to to pay her the hundred dollars, but I really don’t want to, so would I be the asshole if I don’t pay her?

Backstory because I feel it’s relevant and could answer questions you may have. My brother, David married Angela when they were 21 and 23. I was 10 years old at the time. David and I were a team, he was my caretaker and guardian because my parents were struggling with addiction (they’ve since sobered up). David was older than me, and well aware of the issues between my parents—David had a different dad. From the beginning, Angela did not like me being around. I understood, even as a kid, that my time with my brother was over. We got along for the most part in the beginning. Then the comments started about me. She’d say things like, “Please don’t use my brush, you could have bugs.” She would make fun of my dark brown skin (she is white), always calling me a lil snot nosed orphan because my parents left me, or constantly grab my body to point out that I’m overweight, often saying, “what’s this?” with a handful of my tummy. I was just a kid, but I was mature for my age given my parents absence. I knew what she was doing when she said that shit with fake concern in her voice or a grin as she walked away. She wanted me out. She turned my brother against me, he then resented me for being there. I was scared, I had nowhere safe to go. I left anyway. I went back to my reservation because I’d rather be there than somewhere I wasn’t wanted. I wasn’t unruly as a kid. I learned respect very early. I grew up on a farm with strict traditional grandparents so I knew the value of work, good attitude, and rising early. I could cook, clean, and drive by 10. I got myself back to the Rez on a greyhound bus. I had no choice. I left my brother’s apartment on my own and never went back. Angela had taken my brother and there was no use fighting it. They went on to have 2 kids, both of whom I love very much. They are all that’s left of him and I protect them with everything I have.
David committed suicide a year after I left his home. No closure, no note, nothing. I never felt right about it. It still burns in my heart. Before he passed he told me and my mom that he was served with divorce papers and he moved into his own place. I mentioned the divorce to Angela, she immediately denied any of it. She said there was no talk of divorce. This was the first red flag because why was he living in an apartment when he died? Two years later I find out she’s been dating my brother’s best friend! That was weird, I remember feeling very upset but there was nothing I could do. I did not have a very close relationship with Angela and we talked maybe once a year when I’d make the annual bday phone call. I felt it strange that she moved on so quickly with his bff. On the other hand, she befriended my mother via phone and started referring to her as her true Mom. My mom is very naive and only sees rainbows and balloons everywhere so of course she obliged.
About 4 years after David passed, she remarried. Great, so awesome! I was happy for her. My nieces were in their early teens by this time so I was feeling relieved that I kept it cool with Angela long enough to have the girls in my life. That was always my goal, even though I didn’t like her—she deserved my respect for giving me some beautiful nieces. My mom was very welcoming to Angela at all times. I feel that was partially because she felt guilt that Angela and David had to take me in for a bit when I was a kid.
Fast forward to 2020–Angela has bombarded her way back into my family. I figured, “Hey we’re all older and she’s not who she was then!” I started a dialogue with Angela because my oldest niece was getting married. Angela was cool at first, I opened up to her about my struggles with addiction and I thought we had finally reached an understanding as two adult women. I paid for the entire wedding out of respect for my brother. It was the right thing to do. I thought I was just writing a check on behalf of my brother. That’s not what happened. Sh*t, I just bought my brother’s widow. She was back in my life full force. Not only my life, but my whole family’s lives. She has them on Facebook, we are trapped! She inserts herself into our traditional ceremonies and even wears/carries sacred items (she is non-native). It’s so wrong—and everybody knows it but they look to my mom to address it and she doesn’t. She still calls me “little sister,” and I’m like uh-uh honey I have one sibling and you’re not it. She is annoying and just plain unaware. It’s to the point that she is assuming she will be in my own wedding party, at my graduation, and at my ceremonies. It’s just too much! Mind you, I don’t have any celebrations so it’s not like she’s been coming to my bday for years. I am not alone in these feelings, as my entire family (sans mom) is annoyed by her presence. It’s very hard to explain—she just has no self awareness and it’s uncomfortable for everyone, especially traditional elders. We have many non-native people married into our family, but they respect our ways and participate in a limited fashion, always asking before making any moves or speaking to medicine men. Angela just goes in like it’s a Sunday football game. She doesn’t get it, and it’s been nearly 30 years wtf.
2021 comes around then boom! Her second husband ALSO commits suicide. Yes people! Naturally, I’m supportive during this time. This is my niece’s step father, the only father they know (babies when David passed). I was so appreciative of this man. He helped mold my nieces into great women. I respected him so much for his kind heart. I liked him so much more than Angela lol. When this happened I thought to myself, “Hmm, that’s not right.” You know how people say, “I shouldn’t have ignored the signs,” or “trust your gut”?? Well all the bells are going off at this point. What is this lady doing in her life that her husbands are offing themselves like this? I know depression can hide behind a smile, but this is a pattern. It’s weird. I believe it’s dangerous to involve yourself with someone whose life is in that much chaos 24/7. Is this Karma for something bad? Or worse, is there more to it? My mind spins at the thought.
Two months ago, Angela starts hanging around my uncle. All the time. She’s at his house, he’s at hers. My mom found out and was so hurt because they wouldn’t be honest about spending time together. They denied it even though it was in plain sight (vehicles at each other’s homes). It doesn’t matter if there is nothing going on, it’s inappropriate on both sides. They never had any sort of relationship prior to this. There’s no law stopping them, but it’s just another display of how dumb and unaware this chick is. Now she’s pissed me off. You don’t get to marry my brother then get with his friend and now get cozy with my uncle. Now, I can deal with my uncle, I know how to talk to his stubborn self. I hardly know him so it’s no big loss if I never speak to him again. It’s Angela I have a hard time with. At some point someone has to honor David and stick up for him. Nobody listened to me when I warned them about Angela as a kid. I knew she wasn’t balanced. She only acted that way in front of people, she treated me awful behind closed doors. She’s gotta be delusional if she thinks I forgot any of that. I’ve had it simmering in the back of my mind. I even dismissed most of her actions back then because she was also a kid. You may ask, why don’t you just tell her off then? Well, that’s tough. My nieces mean the world to me. I don’t want to hurt them by rejecting their mom.
This is where I need help. How do I get Angela out of my life without harming the relationship I have with my nieces? The recently married one is pregnant so I don’t want to do anything to disrupt her focus and clarity during this time. I want her to stay happy and healthy so I think I’ll drop the bomb after the birth. I don’t have children but I know it’s a sensitive time for an expectant mother. Both nieces are adults and the need for their mom in the mix isn’t required anymore. I worry about severing ties because Angela is on like 80 different anti-depressants and PTSD/Anxiety meds for her severe bi-polar disorder. She is known to turn on the drama and really freak out. I’ve seen it happen and it’s really something.
I know I let this go on for too long without saying anything and it’s probably me to blame as I’ve let her go on thinking this was acceptable. I bit my tongue for so long. I did it so I could keep the kids close to me. How/what do I say to Angela to get her to exit my life? I’ve ignored calls/texts, she then starts asking my family on Facebook why I’m not responding, leaving me no choice but to respond. I cannot escape this person. I wasn’t the one they said til death do us part. I’m so mad at David for leaving me with his wife lol. HELP.
TLDR: I tolerated my brother’s widow in order to remain close to the children. How do I cut her off without hurting her (now adult) children?

Welcome Back To Our "scam" finding REVIEWS! Today, we're going through someone who has been highly recommended to check out.
Its Friday - so we're here checking out "naequalityy" on telegram! They've been vouched for, reviewed by other folks & given a pretty decent amount of feedback from the community so without anymore rambling - lets get into it!
Usually, we break down what's important like the average experience when going through with dealing with them, how to be safe dealing with ANYONE not just people being "accused" of certain practices. So we'll start with the positive
1 - Content / Proof -( 7.8 / 10 )
So starting with what everyone usually wants to see the most, hearing what they do you'd think "bullshit, let me see some proof" & you'd be right. Where's the damn proof this is even real? well - they've got a pretty nice layout of their work, in the group they host on tele! I was able to see people's orders being taken, worked on progressively , content being issued and an actual reaction from them also. We were in a group call as they showed us them using an access link to get into some chicks my eyes only which was actually crazy lol! So they definitely aren't short of anything
2 - Time / Efficiency - (8.3 / 10)
So this parts a bit mixed, they're usually going to quote you a specific time frame (which may or may not be exact - just an estimate) that could most likely change so be open minded before going 100% into this thinking it'll be 10 minutes. It really depends on how much has to get pulled because more content = more work which means more waiting. So I'd do this when i have at least 25-30 minutes to wait because nothing really is "instant". What i also realized is they get pretty booked up - so if you're not at least a member , have history with them or ordered ahead - on a buy day that 30 min might be 1-2 hours.

1. The Members / Community (8.5 / 10)

They're a pretty relax & cool group , mods take care of all the fake self promo , toxicity , and they keep it a nice place to just chill. They host livestreams where we watch them do orders LIVE! its actually set up pretty nice. The only "negative" some would say is that its a monthly subscription to join to take advantage of the perks it comes with. So bare that in mind because its not exactly an open for everyone community since they share a bunch of private content there.

1. Security / Anonymity ( 9.1 / 10)

What would a service be. without PROTECTION! Nothing done is moved , shared , published unless YOU say so. They're pretty tight on that actually, & also the fact they keep client anonymity secured! Everything is done in encrypted spaces , & they even make sure anything said / done is wiped from server logs , your intended target doesn't have a CLUE! Which is why im giving this point a 9.

1. Pricing / Sales ( 8.3 / 10)

Lastly, well take a brief moment to just go over how to get the most $ for your experience. Weekly Sales , Other Members , & Staff Vouches are your best friend! You'll be able to get up to HALF OFF the current rates, weekly updates / info on whats new for snapchat , instagram , & facebook using the snaphacks+ membership, AND internationally - payments are different so keep that in mind.
In Conclusion , We give "naequalityy"s group a (8.6 / 10) for the way they've gotten proof that's easily accessible , a great sense of community when it comes to updating everyone on orders , showing & going out of their way to show you that they're ACTIVELY working , + showing a lot of love to members of their community / group like sales , freebies , & handing out content! Ill link their group on ny social link / comments for more info!

why is it so hard to make friends?
m19 here from (still in) maryland, and lately i've realized how lonely I am, lmao. I have my hobbies and stuff but yet, I'm so lonely, i have one friend, who's been my friend since middle school, he's my bro. but i realized i legit have no friends..or a friend like me, here's some points I've seen/made 👇🏾
° fake people: there's too many fake people in the world today, worried about “worldly” bull crap or something stupid, wanting to be in drama, coming to you, then completely ignoring you or ghosting, I find it fake, sorta bummy and immature. people don't know the definition of a “friendship” or a “very close bond” like i'm gonna stick beside you no matter what, people don't seem to get that, then play victim when you call them out. people will use you, talk poorly of you, do all things wrong, i can't stand that. which is why i enjoy being more of a loner..i hate fake friends and i am not no fake friend, im sorta clingy
° people have weird interests/and are boring: this is, i guess controversial, tough one? but people have their interests but i've met some people (school/outside) that's into some weird crap, pronouns for one, i dislike folk whose interests are gender crap, not much into anime honestly, i do love harry potter though. i find a lot of people boring and never knowing how to have a conversation, never wanna be like “come over and chill, or let's watch a horror film” or anything like that, i've always wanted a male friend to explore stuff with, let's ride our skateboards around and learn tricks/let's ride through the night, i'd love to explore abandoned places honestly, guess i'm more of an that “emo boy that's always up to something”. i also love a childish person, stupid jokes/pranks are always the best, where's the trustworthy people who'd wanna skate all night and go to a pizza joint and chill at each other places all night watching horror films, (and i love horror. anyone seen the movie terrifer? the conjuring? house of 1000 corpses? lords of salem!!) talking about whatever, even deep conversations all night with pizza. play video games with me if you'd want, im a console player, i enjoy my xbox, we can facetime and play stupid stuff or id come to you and chill. who still plays minecraft lmao, im a huge lover of the grunge, skateboard theme, nighttime themed things, yeah i'm a slytherin 🐍. i can't find people like that. also, any other song writers out there? i love making my own music, rock is dope but it depends on the rock..
° bad places and everyone is untrustworthy/ghetto: i grew up in the hood, not to be prideful but it's sorta easy to see through people and know when stupid crap is going down. it's hard finding friends like you in the area you live in. this goes along with fake friends cause people are fake, users, and ghetto af. like what the hell? i mean like dude, if I'm your friend, i mean that, im not gonna use you for money or betray you for some chick or whoever. people don't seem to get that. i also find it stupid how guys, other males are such simps for women and will completely throw you under the bus for a woman, women do the same with men, it's fake af.
° i hate people/large crowds/groups: this i feel like a lot of people can relate to. i absolutely hate people and not on a “woke" level, but on a “people do too much” level, yes people do too much and they always deny that they're doing too much. i hate big groups, because they always fall, which is a heartbreaker dude..it can be 4 of us, then 3, then 2, then none. i've always prefered a group of 3 or just one guy and myself. this gonna sound weird but i've always wanted a male friend, a guys guy really. i don't really go to skate parks, cause it's usually to many people, doing the most per usual, like there's one by the baltimore harbor, i'd rather go at night due to the amount of people there during the day. it sounds cheesy but i hate people. i really do.
° no one has my interest: this is the same as people having weird interests, but this is true. no one has the same interest as me, and i hear that people with the same interest are the ones that argue a lot, fall apart quickly, or just can't get along, i don't know how true that is entirely. but that's where the communication falls in, talk to me man. if there's an issue, open your mouth! don't be a pussy and keep it to yourself and talk poorly of me and hate me. that's not right, it's wack and lame af. people who do that really need to get themselves in check. like again, i love horror, i love the hell out of horror, its all I watch, anyone here watch mr.nightmare ? on youtube, also people enjoy stupid stuff and stay indoors to much. i get it, being in your space in your smelly room is cool and all, it's america, we hate it here, but personally i think there so much more, like I said I love night time stuff, abandoned houses/churches/stores, etc, i'm always down for it all, guess it's my emo horror obsession haha. anyone want to work and save up money together? where's the people like that who wouldn't steal your money, and dip off, like we save and use it for stuff like pizza, new skateboards, deep woods campfires and outings man. spending the night at each other's place, sneaking into spots! and one thing, building each other up, im the type to help you out, if you feel bad or something, let me know and id help, I know depression runs through a lot of people, and if I had that friend that in looking for in gonna be there, no matter what. that's just the kinda person I am, not satanic lol, just..emo? or grunge? i don't know..
° no one is loyal/have bad families/too sensitive: this is a tough one but im just gonna say it. people aways hated that I have no filter, not that I have a nasty mouth and I always have to put my opinion in stuff, i'm more so very quiet. i also have a dark sense of humor, im black, so i definitely do say racial jokes, not as a insult, but a little humor or whatever. dark humor is always the best. but i have no filter, i'm gonna tell you the truth of what it is, what I enjoy, what I hate, just point blank period, and people hate that, i'm nor gonna sugar coat anything! a true friendship circles and stays strong through truth and open words, if you can't handle that, something is honestly wrong with you fr. families, now. i won't judge you for having a bad home, but what i mean is, completely putting all that, that's not your responsibility in the way. i did that once, as an older sibling, i believe younger siblings aren't no one's responsibility, i once canceled plans to “watch and take care” of siblings when their old enough to watch themselves, which i regret. if you're having a bad time, you always got me there. which falls into loyal, people aren't loyal. which is basically people are fake. im a longterm friendship kinda dude. you're my homie, just like that.
° finally, judging and redflags: i don't judge at all, ask ill tell, but I don't judge at all. I don't see a point? none of us is perfect, so I don't see a point, saying what you feel is different than judging fr. same with redflags, guess mines would be im clingy 😂 i love clingy people as well, im not sure. but red flags falls into the same with, people do too much, people are fake, and users. and it amazes me completely how someone will use you, for however long, then completely ditch you in the end, or when you're caught, times get rough, or something like that. I really really hate that and that's what destroys friendships. don't really care if someone is clingy.
guess that's all, i think friendships in 2018-2024 are absolutely awful, and I hate that so much. there's no one else around really, like what the hell 😂 and still today, no friends. i be hoping i can find someone like me, like if you'll be there forever man mean that and stand on it. i think the future of friendships will die out honestly. no one can trust each other, no one can spend nights no more, go out, or anything..im not into politics, I don't care about presidents or anything, nor money, I need it, I know, which is why I'm still job searching, I just think there's more to a friendship besides money, arguing, drama, stupid stuff. that's it from me i guess 😂 just a lil rant since I joined this group. show me your skateboard, songs and favorite bands! mines is behemoth and a few grunge ones.. hopefully id find a friend ..

Hello there, I hope you're weekend is going fantastic, doing everything you enjoy or just by being lazy because why not.
My name is Miguel, I'm a 34 years old (few pics) enjoying a simple and peaceful life in a tiny City in Mexico. I'd love to make some online friends, so we can talk about our day, share funny memes or just talking about random stuff.
I don't want to go with the classic introduction, I prefer to do something different just to make things more interesting hoping that catches your attention.
Random things about me:

• I went to a Catholic school for elementary (Used to get in trouble with the nuns for always talking during class).
• I was obsessed with Karate Kid movies as a teen.
• I take care of couple of stray dogs and one feral cat.
• I'm scared of heights, the open sea, and roaches... But who's not afraid of roaches, right?
• I had a raw bean stuck inside my nose for two days when I was a kid.
• I speak English, Portuguese, and a bit of French.
• I cry watching emotional movies.
• Used to love ghost stories as a kid, and also used to scared the shit out of my cousins and friends by reading those to them.
• Dating tv shows are my guilty pleasure.
• I'm really good at breaking bad habits out of my life.
• I like sending voice notes (but sometimes I find hard to stop talking 😆).

”The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings…”
”…there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it”
President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. 1961
”Democracy Dies in Darkness”
Motto of The Washington Post.
”Rule 1. You will be permanently banned from this group…if you…”
”Mention this group… on social media, a podcast, on the radio, to the media, anywhere in public…”
“Paola Sanchez”. March 2022
”It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends”
JK Rowling.
🌟For shining a light into the dark places. For warning the men that we love of the invisible evil that stalks them.🌟
🫡For Valor. Here is the Roll of Honor. 🫡
👑The Queen on the Throne 👑
Claire Graham, BBC Northern Ireland. December 2023
”Facebook: Concern over group naming men to be avoided on dating apps”
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67655218
The first media article to openly describe men becoming suicidal from the emotional abuse of AWDTSG.
They called her a ‘pick-me snitch’ in AWDTSG Belfast, and said she wasn’t a girls girl.
But Claire Graham wouldn’t be silenced. She wasn’t satisfied with having written the best article on AWDTSG ever.
She followed it up with a show on BBC Radio Ulster talking about the financial harm men have suffered, losing jobs, and more.
They watered down her first version within 12 hours, and the radio show has vanished from the internet, but Claire remains the unassailable Queen of AWDTSG media coverage.
Claire, we kneel before you.
🥇Gold Medal🥇
Morgan Sullivan, Cosmopolitan Magazine. April 2022
’Welcome to the Wild World of "Are We Sharing Boyfriends?" Facebook Groups’
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a39610093/are-we-sharing-boyfriends-facebook-groups/
AWDTSG New York City was created on March 13th, 2022. Cosmo went to press with this article on April 8th 2022.
She may have changed the name, but the 1st result when we typed ‘are we sharing boyfriends’ into Google? - AWDTSG NYC.
She got a therapist to say why it is all such a bad idea, and focused on the novel concept of actually ’talking to your boyfriend’
For showing Rule 1 the contempt it deserved less than a month after its inception, for trying to stop it before it started, for sounding the alarm to the male gender at the earliest sighting of the monster, Morgan earns the Gold medal.
🥈Silver Medal 🥈
Sara Ashley O’Brien, Wall Street Journal. May 2023
’How a Whisper Network for Online Dating Turned Divisive’
https://www.wsj.com/articles/are-we-dating-the-same-guy-facebook-groups-2c7d3009
It’s the economy, Stupid.
Analytical, intelligent, exploratory, thoughtful. A true deep dive, touching on privacy, copyright law, and the male experience.
An outstanding piece of journalism that was ground breaking at the time, Sara can feel justifiably aggrieved that Morgan got there first, and Claire so beautifully captured the emotional harm. She could so easily be our reigning Queen.
🥉Bronze Medal 🥉
Jamie Khan. Glamour Magazine. October 2022
’Inside the Secret Facebook Group Where Women Review Men They’ve Dated’
https://www.glamour.com/story/are-we-dating-the-same-guy-facebook-group
Jamie’s article was the first major exposure of AWDTSG, using its full name, with awareness of its true form, and syndicated across multiple publications. She coined the phrase it’s the whisper network women have been using for centuries’. It isn’t, but many reporters after her have enthusiastically repeated it.
One of the few journalists to ask ’Would Are We Dating the Same Guy be considered appropriate if the sexes were reversed?’, this remains the reference text for any new media piece.
🎖️Special Mentions 🎖️
Suzy Weiss. The Free Press. January 2023.
’He Just Doesn’t Want to Murder You’
https://www.thefp.com/p/he-just-doesnt-want-to-murder-you
Suzy has a special place in our hearts. If you are not a member, no-one - no-one - explains AWDTSG better than she does.
Unrestrained by a professional media editor with a salary and a boss to answer to, Suzy describes AWDTSG as a ’paranoid, tech-ed up Stasi’.
She might be the reason a few people around here take an interest in the entire subject, and that may be her greatest legacy.
Carlyn Beccia. Medium. February 2023
’Are We Dating The Same Guy?” Has Become A Hate Group To Slander Innocent Men’
https://medium.com/sexography/are-we-dating-the-same-guy-has-become-a-hate-group-to-slander-innocent-men-a5f3a575585c
The title says it all. Carlyn did not hold back. In her words ’a misandrist cesspool’, where some women had turned violent, Carlyn was the first to publicize that penis size shaming really does happen, a lot, and she and multiple friends had been banned for sticking up for innocent guy friends.
If this had been published in a mainstream media organization, Carlyn would be our reigning Queen.
Olivia Petter. The i Newspaper. April 2024.
’If you’re posting about a bad date online, you might be the problem’
https://inews.co.uk/opinion/posting-bad-date-online-problem-2997814
Late to the party, but Olivia spoke to women the words they needed to hear. And she is spot on.
The last words must belong to Olivia…
”Good luck to us all”

Hi guys, I’ve struggled with emetephobia my whole life and i just wanted to share things that I either tell myself when im panicking, or things i tell someone who is worried that they will get sick. I liketo use logical approaches when talking about emetophobia because they calm me down and make the most sense.

1. When you’re actually gonna throw up, you won’t have even 30 seconds to think about it. It will just happen the second you feel it. So, if you’re nauseous and it has been over5 min since the initial feeling, its just anxiety. Think of in movies when actors just throw up the second they say they feel super sick.
   
2. During emetephobia panic attacks, the best solution is to quite literally distract yourself in every way possible. Chew ice. Hot shower. Facetime a friend. Music. Podcast. Water. Make sure to care of the minimal anxiety as soon as possible before it turns into a panic attack, though.
   
3. Just a tip- Make your diet to be foods that are healthy and that don’t expire for a long time. I have done this and it allows me to actually be able to enjoy my food w out worrying about getting sick. I’m guessing most of us obsess over expirations date and raw foods. I’ve gotten to a point where I am able to eat sushi and other raw sea food. But years ago, it would scare me a lot. Little life hack is every time you eat a “scary” food (one that makes you worried about tu), the more times you eat it the more times you can tell yourself “Well i’ve ate this a million times before, so why would it make me sick this time?”. Hope that made sense
   
4. I don’t drink alcohol anymore because of my general anxiety , BUT if you do want to still enjoy alcohol, a life hack is to drink 1 water bottle in between drinks. I know, its extra but it works wonders. I did this back in highschool to be able to enjoy parties. Also, this way when you burp after drinking it wont taste nasty- It will be a watered down burp.
   
5. If somebody around you has a stomach virus, or just throws up from being drunk or smth, u literally cannot get it unless you drink or eat after them. Like sharing a drink or food. So in general just dont drink or eat after others. Simple but important.Oh and also if a child around u gets sick- they’re children, just remind yourself that their immune systems are weak and theyre more prone to tu.
   

Hope this was helpful.
Just know you are never alone. This is a completely rational fear. Don’t let anybody tell you that youre dramatic for fearing getting sick. I haven’t gotten sick (tu) since i was in 7th grade. My doctor told me your body wont let it happen after a certain amount of time if you fear it so much, thats another thing to consider i think. 🩷 I am here for any of you.

As an ND, it's so hard to cultivate friendships, much less romantic relationships. I met my crush on vacation, and we hung out for two days. I'm a socially anxious person, but with him, I felt like I'd known him for years. The conversations just felt so easy. One night, he told other teenagers that he liked me. They all told me, and they were hyping me up saying stuff like "look your boyfriend's here". I was so excited. I never had a guy like me before. Ever. All my life, I was treated as a freak, so I was just glad for this opportunity for something special. So I went up to him and asked him if he liked me. He told me he had a girlfriend, and got really mad at our friends for telling me.
He cut off all contact with me after. I blocked him on Instagram after he rejected my Instagram request. I was so sad that the guy I liked decided it would be best if he never saw me again. The one person who saw me for all the good I have to offer, and he still gave it up. They broke up two months later, and he still looks at my social media. I don't forgive him. I'm not mad at him for having a girlfriend. I'm just mad at him for saying he was into me when he knew full well that he couldn't be with me, even if he wanted to. But do you know what the worst part of it is? I still miss him everyday. Even after he disrespected me, I still want him.

Am I the asshole for reaching out to my niece? Longgg story short -ish- ,im early 20s and I have 2 half siblings in their mid 30’s , a full brother who I grew up with but I never really seen my sisters much growing up since they lived with their mother a few towns away, I seen them a few times and 16 years ago one of them had a kid, ill call her Sophie and another a few years later I’ll call her Stacey, I seen her a few times as she grew up but my sisters hated my side of the family , 2016 I had a car ride with them to see my ex in a different town and I was playing with Stacey and Sophie while my sister drove and her boyfriend at the time in passenger, it was a 6 hour ride and my sister was ALL about her bf wouldn’t even take her kid to the toilet I had to take them , anyway me and little Stacey did everything painted nails took selfies tickle fights etc , she wasn’t old enough to really speak at the time but she was pointing at my sisters boyfriend I asked her does she want me to tickle him too? She got soo excited when I did so I tickled his head anyway I got home and she started texting me pissed off and I was explain it to her why and what I did , she kept going on with ‘Sophie seen you do it don’t even deny it’ when I was telling her what happened (not denying but confirming it) anyway she blocked me and yearrrsss later I have a new fb I got sober from drugs and alcohol I have a new life in a new city , I was feeling good so I tried reaching out to my niece Sophie on Facebook to see how she is doing , first thing my sister said was ‘was she doing drugs on call? Was she drinking? Was she out of it?’ And she had no idea I did that stuff so I had to explain to a 15yr old I did drugs years ago and I’ve been sober for 3yr 3mth and she was proud of me , she loves talking to me , but here’s the thing , her birthday is coming up in the summer and I was thinking of something to get her since she will be in my city when it comes around , she was mentioning self harm scars she wanted covered up with a tattoo , I got curious and asked her what would she get if she could and she wanted her passed grandparents signature saying I love you and I thought it was sweet (and cheaper than a big one lol) so I said I’ll ask your dad (since my sister won’t even answer me or friend request on fb) if he will sign for it still being underage, I messaged him told him what she wanted and I’ll help her with aftercare and all that , he ignored me and told my sister who just started messaging me getting so mad saying she’s too young and I should of asked before putting it in her head I tried to tell her I did ask I said to him he didn’t have to if he didn’t want to and the way she talks about my sister (letting her drink and smoke weed) I would think she would say yes but now it’s a HUGE fight she blocked me and is now wanting Sophie to block me and have no contact with me , but she has no idea who I even am today it’s been so long and it’s really hurting me I’m so lost , my niece doesn’t want to block me I told her if her mom causes stress over it I don’t mind waiting a few more years to have a relationship with her but I said it’s up to her and what she thinks is best and she thinks of talking to me and hiding it Is there anything I can do or am I really crazy for offering a 15yr old a tattoo? I got my first one at her age and it was fine , I have been crying all day I need some advice please

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When I wake up the next day, my head is swirling with questions. As I get up from my bed and go to clean myself, I can’t help but question everything! Did last night actually happen? I am pretty sure it did, but it all felt so bizarre… and wonderful! There’s a planetarium in the city, and it is magical in the most literal sense of the word! There are books on magic there, too! So I can probably start studying and learning more next time I visit!

Speaking of books… I have something to check there, don’t I?

As soon as I am out of the bathroom I go to the living room to get my pills and then, I start passing the pages of Humiko’s book. As I reach the ‘Epilogue’ section, I confirm to my horror that the words have completely disappeared.

In a panic, fearing the worst, I check my notes… oh, good, those were still here.

“What, were you fearing they would simply disappear too? Idiot.”

“Hey, with magic we really know nothing. It could have happened!”

I do feel a little silly but, yeah. For all we know, it could have happened. The point is that it didn’t!

Breathing way easier now, I sit down on one of the couches and sigh. Picking up my phone, I can confirm that it's Friday and it’s already eleven past noon. I guess this time I am justified in sleeping so much? But at the same time, I can’t help but feel a little guilty.

“Because you’re being lazy, even with your free time.”

With another deep sigh, I try to ignore the voices and just look straight up at the ceiling, tapping my chin for a moment.

How do we proceed from here?

Pelafina said I shouldn’t visit the Elysium early, because it gets full of people. I wonder how true that is… actually, I wonder how true anything she said was.

“Since when are you this distrustful?”

I don’t know. I don’t even know why I lied to her in the first place, but I just felt that this phrase, the one long complete phrase I managed to translate, is far more important than I know. I can’t share it… I actually don’t want to share anything with this lady?

“She will probably send the Cloaks if you stop cooperating though.”

That much I know, and I hate it. She has all the control over the situation!

“There’s one thing she can’t control though. She has no idea about your internet activity now, does she?”

… Good point. I have to focus on that!

I actually have to get back to GalaxyTaco, too! See what he's been doing and all that!

“But before all that, breakfast.”

Ah, right. Almost forgot… although, wouldn’t it be better to just ask for lunch at this point?

“Fair.”

Yes! Time for a burger.

“They feel blander and blander every time you buy one. Why even bother?”

Because they are still delicious, and more importantly, they are cheap and fast!

I quickly order a special Bisontian burger, with extra cheese of course, and then sit back down at the table, connecting my computer to the TER and tapping away a message at GalaxyTaco, to let them know I am up. Then, I write down my discoveries in the file I’m keeping. I’ll transcribe them to the notepad later.

I am adding the symbols (which I’ve learned are called Runes after a visit to the Elysium), meanings and effects I’ve learned. I’ve also learned that I can create Glyphs, which are combinations of Runes to create different effects. I wonder if they are phrases in the language!

Speaking of. They don’t even know it’s a language, they just seem to assume the symbols have effects and that’s it! Maybe they use it, but they haven’t fully grasped the implications yet.

That feels surprisingly shallow though. Just how much knowledge do these people have of magic? Is magic a recent discovery?

Or is there something else keeping people ignorant…?

The burger arrives not too long after I am done writing. I eat it while ruminating on the subject a bit further. They are not idiots, are they? To me, the first thing that comes to my mind when seeing symbols if they are part of a bigger language or something like that. Then again, maybe the lack of translation dissuaded them from experimenting further?

Stuff is not fitting as nicely as I wish…

I am about to write a little more when suddenly, I am added to a group in my messenger service. GalaxyTaco is alive! But not only them! There’s two other people in the conversation too.

Panic ensues, at least for a moment.

“Okay. Just keep calm.” I tell to myself. “Take a deep breath… phew… and let’s do this.”

My fingers are preparing to write some quick and tasteless introduction, when suddenly someone beats me to the punch.

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: HIIIIIII!! ^0^!!

Oh no. A weeb, and a very strong one at that. I can feel her aura, her reiatsu, pushing down on me like a wave of augmented gravity. There are two chances here: I either get along real well with this person, or we hate each other on sight. There’s no middle ground among us.

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: don’t be shy! :3 we’re friends here, I swear!

Well they are being real nice at least. Could be worse, they could be souseiseki.

man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): yo, you there?

Who the hell are these people!? I assume they are friends of GalaxyTaco, right? I really want to be patient but, damn it, new people get me nervous so easily…

xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Hi there, hi! n.nUu sorry, this whole deal took me by surprise.
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: ohhhh it is fine! uwu gal-kun told us everything!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: you must be so scared Dx I know I was when I got started!
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Well it has certainly been a journey, heheh n.n but I’ve managed.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: I found the Elysium last night so, at least there’s that!
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): good job, that’s a big advancement actually
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): next you gotta find the clinic, though
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: There’s a clinic too? O.o
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): yep. but we’ll explain all that later
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): i’m canny btw. cannedtea at the forum, remember me?

My face burns a little bit when remembering this guy. I wasn’t expecting to find him again so quickly.

“Gay.”

Shut up.

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: the name’s Aoi! ^0^/ UwU28 at the forum!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: sorry I didn’t comment your topic, i am a bit shy xwxUu
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: It’s all fine, no worries n.n I’m Tav! But you two probably know that already
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): it bears repeating, girl. it bears repeating.
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: yeah! ^^/
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: alright I’m back! sorry I was seeing grandma to bed heheh

I sigh in relief, cleaning the sweat off my brow. Thanks saints, this was going to be a little too much for me to handle alone!

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: oh hey gal-kun ~
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: reading up I see you’re all introduced, good good!
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: now I just gotta introduce the plan to you Tav, so pay attention!
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: I’m ready! o.o
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: alright, so
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: to avoid 82’s wrath?
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: canny here will be your voucher.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: huh?
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: just put him in your profile and he’ll cover for you.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: And you’re okay with that, Canny? ;w; really!?
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): eyeup, don’t worry girl. I gotchu.
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: canny-kun and mort-sama covered for me when I just got in too :3 he’s the best!

For a moment I blink. Huh? Covered for Aoi? Does that mean they are also a Bastard Mage? What does that mean? Did they just find the link somewhere, too?

Questions for later, I guess.

xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Thank you so much Canny! ;w;
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): no prob bob
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): is it chill if I add you? you seem cool
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Ah, of course! :3 Add away! You too, Aoi-chan.
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: EEEEE! Arigatou!! ^w^ <3 <3
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: oh yeah that reminds me.
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: Aoi, ain’t you forgetting something?
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: ah right!!! Tavy! what are your pronouns? o.o!

What?

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: you put you’d rather not say your gender and that’s so cool! I wanna know what to call you though! uwu
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: if that’s okay of course ^.^
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: Aoi that is NOT what I meant damn it!
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): nono, she’s right.
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): sorry i kept callin you girl
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: not you too canny… focus!

I have never been asked that before… I mean, I have, by computers. But by people, it feels… odd.

I like it.

“You’re going to start with your delusions again?”

“They can identify as anything. Stop being so harsh!”

xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: … I think I will go with she/her.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Is that okay? n.n
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): girl, don’t ask US
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): ask yourself
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): not the mean voice of anxiety, not the shit your guardians told ya
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): are YOU okay with it?

I feel the words pierce my chest for a moment. I gasp for air, my eyes opening a little more.

“This is all just play pretend. Don’t take it so much to heart.”

Shut up.

“What!?”

I said shut up. This time, this is for me. I decide this.

“You little ungrateful asshole…”

I want this. This makes me feel good and I will seize it. And you can go kiss my ass, you hear me!?

“...”

xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: … Yeah. Yeah, I think I am okay with it n//n
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): atta girl
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): it’s chill to call you a girl right?
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yeah yeah, I like it! n.n
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: yayayay Tavy-chan! :3
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: huh. that’s unexpectedly wholesome…
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: but let’s focus! Aoi! do you have the book?
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: right here boss! o.o7

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!! has sent you bastard_recipe_book.pdf
Accept?

Huh? A pdf? I hesitate for a moment but, hell, maybe it’s magic and magic can’t get viruses or something. I just click it.

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: this is the rulebook for us Bastards, don’t tell nobody about it though OoO!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: it’s a seecret~
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: A secret book… now that’s cool uwu
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): man, tav’s first secret
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): granny get the camera
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: lol
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: no but really, read it, study it well
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: it’s all vital.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: will do! I’ll print it and get to it right now
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: NO!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: TAVY-CHAN WAIT
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): wait a sec tav
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Huh? O.o
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: don’t print that one!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: yeah you can’t print magic books, it’s risky
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): the runes can activate and shit would go boom
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Oh, okay o.o
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Man I hate reading on the computer! ;w;
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: sorry tavy-chan ;w;!! but that’s the only way!
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: yeah… anyways, I gotta go to bed, real badly.
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: I trust you got it from here right?
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yep! n.n
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: byeeee everyone!! uwu see you in dejima!
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): see you around

I sigh and slowly lean back on my chair. That was intense, way too intense… but I am smiling. Really, this is some proper progress! I finally have tools to work on my own! Maybe I can even translate some more after learning magic!

“Are you sure that’s all you’re happy about?~”

… Shut up. Don’t look too deep into the whole ‘pronoun’ thing.

I am opening the file I got when, suddenly, another message hits me.

It’s from Canny!

man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): hey tav
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): if you don’t wanna read it on computer you can get it physical.

Whuh?

man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): you said you found an elysium, was it in a library?
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yeah! o.o
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): thought so
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): look through the mundane part of the library, specifically in the section where you get cooking recipes
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): see if you can find a cheap notebook that says ‘MAGIC’ in it.
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): open it, say ‘jantar mantar’ to it, and that’s your ticket.

My eyes light up. A secret book, hidden under the cloak’s noses like that? That’s perfect!

man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): the book’s written in draconic, which basically means only mages can read the real shit and you can’t destroy it
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Wait what? O.o Draconic? Are dragons a thing here?
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): not anymore they ain’t
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Aww :c
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Wait,I can’t destroy it? O.o No matter how much I try?
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): i mean, you can, but it won’t do nothin
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): don’t worry about it
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Ok! n.n but hey I don’t know Draconic D:!
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): don’t worry about it girlie
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yay! n.n I will go get it then
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): get some other books too, in case you’re being tailed.
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): good luck tav
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Thank you Canny!
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Ah! I will be on my phone so don’t send me magic stuff for a while, okay?
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): gonna teach you the glyph for your phone later.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yipee!! n.n
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Ah hell, sorry for that úwu
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): you’re fine girl
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): good luck.

I feel motivated, so motivated that I stand up immediately, close my computer, and finish my hamburger on the spot.

“Going out again!? Hah.”

I am running out of mean things to say, that’s a good sign.

“Don’t count on it.”

“You are doing great. Let’s go! The day’s young and we have notes to take!”

Yes! I don’t even notice the door in my way this time! I just go out and hop my way over to the elevator.

To the library! Again!

First of all, I want to say that I am not ableist. Nope. I think discrimination against people with factors they are both with is always bad, and basically my philosophy can be summed up in this Office quote:
"You don't call retarded people 'retards'. It's bad taste. You call your friends 'retards' when they're acting retarded."
However, I don't think the r-word (retard) is that bad. Almost every usage of the word I have heard in daily life has most definitely not been targeted to people with disabilities (actually, most of the usages are targeted to me LOL, with people I know, of course).
Even if you guys think it is really that bad, what are you actually going to do to stop it? 90% of every adolescent guy in HS either uses it or condones it as an insult towards someone for shits & giggles. If one is going to actively say they condemn it, I would imagine some ppl feel like they are walking eggshells when talking to one. I am guaranteeing you that no matter who you are, that a friend or a friend's friend uses the word "retard" or something similar, absolutely 110%; even theater kids might use it sometimes.
In school culture, at least American, it's treated more as a swear word than a discriminatory term.
Now, is the word "retarded" always funny? Of course not. It's sometimes overused so it becomes annoying and unoriginal, almost like 1st grade humor type shit. But, swearing was never meant to be original, was it? The nature of the sheer immaturity in adolescent friend groups is sometimes hilarious in itself.
Obviously, don't ever use it to people with disabilities, because again that is highly bad taste. I would like to think I support good conduct & the golden rule and therefore do not condone that kind of usage. If I had a disability, I think I would still be ok with the word retard, but just not with strangers saying that to me. Ofc, that is not something I am qualified to speak on, so if you're disabled, I'm more than glad to hear your input.
All in all, downvote me if you really think you want to, but I am more looking for inputs.

And life does not.”
I do tell people it really gets to me when they ignore me without warning. Friends, potential dating partners, you name it.
You ignored me, just like everyone else, without saying why.
I said just let me know when you think you’ll be free or have time and I’ll check back. I pleaded to just communicate so I don’t feel discarded.
You know that every family member and every ex-friend weaponized that against me.
The toughest was after nearly ten years of friendship, crying my eyes out to a friend about the real reasons why it’s so hard for me, within two weeks the next fight shut me out and ghosted.
Still stings almost a decade and a half later - always a reminder that the people you think won’t do that, absolutely will do that.
I’m disappointed, not surprised by your choice. I thought you were so emotionally intelligent, maybe you were when we first talked months ago.
Things changed for you since then and I wonder if that change chased the capacity for compassion right out of you.
Whatever. Listen if you wanna buy that bikini you picked out off me for your next situationship, I am up for trades. Tags still on it, never worn.
Still think you cool, but man did you straight up destroy my desire for you. You right, you do just destroy stuff eh?
“Destruction is a form of creation” may what you create next, from the destruction of what could have been between us, be the most wonderful experience for you.

So I guess this is a double post because two things happened with this friend last night. For some background knowledge I’m 27 yrs old and I weigh 119. I suffer from body dysmorphia and this is something my friend knows. She weighs 130 and she always talks about wanting to lose weight and exercise but never does so. For me, I’m very big on portion control and I exercise everyday with going on a mile walk and I attend yoga on Thursdays.
Last night my friend and I were going out for dinner. I’m getting married this fall and it’s a very small scale wedding it will only be up to 50-60 people. My friend asked me if her boyfriend can come to my wedding as she’s always talking to him about it. From what she told me her boyfriend is a horrible person. He’s very verbally and mentally abusive. I wish she had the courage to leave him. I guess now they are doing well because she hasn’t told me anything bad in a while. But my mind is made up from all the horrible stuff I heard he’s not coming to my wedding. My friend told me that he also made a nasty ignorant comments about Koreans that “they all look the same”. My fiancé he is Korean and I love him and his family way too much to let some ignorant ass attend our wedding.
I simply told my friend that I don’t feel comfortable if he attends due to the stuff I have heard about him. She instantly looked sad and disappointed. She told me that it’s awkward because he really wants to come to my wedding and doesn’t know what to say when he asks about my wedding. In actuality my friend never let me meet him or hang out with him. She always keeps me far away from him and according to her the only way I can hangout with him is when my fiancé comes back from South Korea. Because in her words “everyone will be comfortable” when my fiancé is there. Back from that little side note I told my friend that I’m sorry but he’s not invited. Luckily conversation shifted after that but it was terribly awkward and I’m sure this isn’t the last time we talk about this.
We went to dinner to the Cheesecake Factory. I had a bit of my dinner and saved my cheesecake for when I get home and for tomorrow. My friend finished all of her food plus the cheesecake. We decided to go to Marshall’s afterwards. As we were shopping I heard my friend ask me “did you get your period?” I am expected to get it in two days. I panicked and looked down to see if I was bleeding and then looked up realizing I was safe and didn’t have it. I asked her “no why?” and she quickly said “it’s nothing don’t worry”. I said to her “but there’s a reason why you asked” and she said “well it’s because you look really bloated”. I didn’t expect to hear that and I was really shocked. She then said “well we eat a lot maybe that’s why”. I didn’t say anything and ignored her.
I know some friends comment on each other’s weights and bodies. Our friendship isn’t one of those friendships. We never comment on each other’s bodies as I know she has her own body issues. I told my mom all of this and she thinks my friend did this out of petty revenge because I’m not letting her boyfriend come to my wedding. Overall I’m just shocked and upset by last night and I would love to hear everyone’s opinions!

First lf all, hello potatoes! This is my first ever post on anything, so bear with me!
I (21f), have an aunt who I've finally decided to go no contact with after years of her bs. For the sake of this post, let's call her EA. EA has always been a narcissist, though none of us really did anything about it for a while.
For instance, when I was young, about 12 or 13, she decided it would be a good idea to take me and my three siblings to a youth group, even though we never wanted to. She pretty much dragged us over there and would act like she was doing something good for us so we could pay her back later. We never wanted to go, because of some issues we had with the last religious group we went to, and it became painful for us to deal with.
Anyway, we ended up being late to an event one night, and the entire 30 minute drive down, she had been complaining about how late we were. Once we had gotten to the building, she went inside and talked to the person in charge about it. My siblings and I had come in and she locked eyes with me.
"Thanks a lot, kids."
That's all she had to say to us, then proceeded to complain to the person in charge over the whole ordeal. Being as young as I was and as sensitive as I was at the time, I held on to that feeling. Eventually, we stopped going, again because it was hard for us and EA made it unbearable.
Several years went by, and not long after I had graduated, she had come back into my life, in a much more violent way than before. I had moved out for school and work, so I wasn't physically there, but I heard about it after the fact. It turns out, while my parents and EA had gone to an appointment they both had in the nearest city (3+ hour drive), she had attacked my mother. Not verbally, but physically. She had pounced on her and left scratches and bruises. The cause of the fight? Some water on her butt. She threw a whole fit and physically attacked my mother, over a little bit of water on her butt.
Let me tell you, I was fuming when I had heard about it. She even went so far as to insult us when she attacked my mother, and I'll never forget it.
"You're raising your kids to be just like you!"
She made it sound like a bad thing for us to turn out like my mother. Now, my mother is a kind woman with a soft heart and a soft spot for dogs and cats. She loves crystals and plants, and she loves cloudy days and being by the ocean. She accepts all of us for who we are, and makes inappropriate jokes for us to laugh at. To hear EA insult my mother made me angry, but she had told me not to put any energy into it.
EA began to get worse afterwards. I was working a job that was slowly killing me, and whenever she'd visit, she had that sickly sweet 'I'm tolerating you enough to talk to you' look on her face and tone in her voice. When I was moved to nights, I was hoping to never deal with her again. But then, my grandmother fell down.
I heard about it during one of my shifts, and when I had gotten off, I couldn't sleep. I was afraid something would happen to her if I was asleep, so I stayed awake until my bf (21m) woke up. I told him the situation and we had a talk about it, and we both agreed that it would be best if I moved back to take care of her. So, on my first day off, I packed all my stuff and left. I texted my boss, who I wasn't on good terms with, and told her the situation. I pretty much handed in my two week notice, but only gave her two days.
So, I came home and moved in with my grandma so I could take care of her. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishes, anything and everything she needed done, I would do it. I was lucky enough to be able to bring my dog, a chihuahua dashund pug mix, to live with me. Spud made things a bit easier for me, considering everything that I had given up and what was going on. It felt like things were gonna get better.
Until my grandmother had to go to the hospital. I wish I was kidding, but I'm not. She couldn't get out of bed one morning, and since I didn't know what to do, I panicked and called my father. He came and checked on her, gave her an oxygen treatment, and when things didn't improve, he called EA so they could go to the hospital. I was freaking out and pacing around on the balcony, trying to calm down as they carried her to the car and drove to the hospital two towns over. She got better, so that helped, but it scared me so badly I couldn't sleep for a while. We were given an oxygen machine and told to have her on it as often as possible. That first night was terrible. I hadn't slept at all that night, or for the next few nights, because I was afraid of what would happen if I did.
To help with this, my father bought a baby monitor so I could make sure she was okay, and after a few days, I was feeling much better. EA began showing up, when she hadn't come at all before the hospital visit. When she did, the first thing she did was complain.
My little sis (11f), was helping me clean, and we had finished doing what my grandmother needed us to do when EA had come in. The first thing she said to us was that we should be cleaning, and began cleaning the stuff we didn't get to. She then started to complain about how we weren't doing these tasks that my grandmother never asked us to do. My sister and I just looked at each other with confusion. I could tell she was feeling bad, but it wasn't her job to do in the first place. EA took her cleaning to my grandmother's bedroom, and she stayed in there for a long time.
I began to get worried, so I ended up heading to my room downstairs to check the monitor, only to find EA had covered it. I sat, confused by what she had done. It's not like I had the monitor there to snoop around, it was only there to make sure my grandmother was okay. I shrugged it off and uncovered it before I went to bed that night. After a few days, I had decided to make the trip to see my bf. It was almost a 2 hour drive, so I wanted to leave early. I asked my little brother (18), to watch over everything while I was gone for a few days. He agreed for the price of some dark chocolate for his own mochas in the morning. I agreed, and made sure he knew what medications my grandparents had to take and when, where the blood pressure cuff was and how to use it, and the device to check my grandmother's oxygen. After that, I packed the clothes I'd need for four days, and left.
Things were going smoothly for a while. I was laughing and relaxing with my bf, watching videos he had saved to show me, and going on dates, talking and catching up. On the third day, I got a text from my brother saying that he was angry. I asked why, and he explained everything.
He said EA had showed up, and was trying to make me and my sister sound like thieves. She claimed we had gotten into some drinks meant for my uncle, who's diabetic and also lives with my grandmother. I told him I don't drink that particular brand anymore, and my sister only ever got into the milk and some cold water. I showed my bf the messages, and we both had a good laugh over it. He knew that I don't drink that particular brand, and that I enjoy a different brand altogether, so we thought it was just ridiculous.
It continued like this for a while. EA would make little comments and talk with my grandmother about certain topics, trying to make me and my sister sound like we were against her. All the while, I was doing my usual job of cooking and cleaning for her and making sure she was okay. I was pretty much untouchable in her eyes.
My mother had come by to visit for a while and make sure everything was okay one day. We talked, she helped me cook, and we just had a good time, until EA popped in unannounced. My grandmother, wanting them to fix their relationship as sisters, stopped my mother from leaving the kitchen and told them to hug. I was watching the whole thing and heard EA say something thst just made me want to yell.
"Are you gonna attack me again?"
She made herself sound like the victim, and made it seem like my mother had attacked her. They hugged, and things proceeded to get worse from there. I refused to talk to EA when she came by, and I'd watch when she started her random cleaning. If she went into my grandmother's bedroom, I'd go downstairs, watch the monitor and try to make sure she wasn't stealing anything. She coveted the camera again and again, which slowly drove me crazy. I regret not talking to her about it.
She did it again when I was on another trip to see my bf, and this time, my brother called her out on it. He told her to stop covering the camera, that it was only there to make sure my grandmother was okay at night, nothing more. According to him, EA began yelling at him and puffing her chest out over the whole thing, while my brother acted more mature and waited for her to finish. He then asked if she was done, to which she huffed. He was getting pretty angry over it. I had him tell me everything thst was going on, so I was up to date while I was gone.
This would continue for a few more weeks, and again, while I was away, EA would confront my brother, but this time, she said something thst made me lose it. My brother was telling my uncle that it probably wasn't a good idea to take a pastry with him downstairs, since it had a bunch of sugar. EA went ballistic over this and started getting in my brother's face, yelling about it and calling him a few names like r-tard, and said, and I quote, "No wonder you were bullied, you deserved it."
For context, my brother faced severe bullying when we were in school. He was thrown around, threatened, hit, and more. He also has an accent due to having multiple earaches as a baby, so sometimes, it's hard to understand him. He's a smart kid, with a good heart, and having a middle aged swamp monster with a superiority complex getting in his face and yelling at him about how stupid he was and saying he deserved to be bullied broke me and hurt him. He didn't show it, but I know it hurt him.
When I found out, I was angry, sad, and an all around mess. My bf read the messages and didn't know what to do. I was ranting and rambling angrily by this point, in tears and just about seeing red. I was getting more angry as I talked about it, completely unaware that while my bf was playing a game, he was playing with a friend, and they could hear everything. They heard my voice beginning to shake as I let out all my frustrations, and they heard how angry I was that this haggard hoghag of a woman could treat my little brother like that. I ended up crying myself to sleep that night, I was so furious.
After that, she kept coming around and trying to make all of us sound like the villains of the tale while she was the goodie two shoes. I cut all contact with her, refused to talk to her or even acknowledge her existence, and just continued to enjoy myself. My sister had some other plans
EA is diabetic, so she can't really have sugar, so my sister had an idea to pay her back, at least a little. EA had come over to open oysters with us. My grandmother had ordered them for me and my sister, because we enjoyed them so much. My sister decided to get some Popsicles from the freezer upstairs and started to eat one in front of EA. She also handed one to me, so I could enjoy too. We got some looks from EA, but I don't remember hearing her say anything. Later on, we even went so far as to make delicious chocolate chip banana bread while she was there, so she couldn't have some but had to deal with the temptation. I guess this could count as a petty revenge story, but I don't know where else to put this. I just wanted to get this story off of my chest and hear what the other petty potatoes think about this.
So, AITA for going to contact with my aunt? And for going so far as to make treats she can't have?

4 years together. 2 living together. I loved him. He didn’t feel the same way I guess. 18 days since we’ve broken up no contact.
fuck you for not answering me. fuck you for leading me on. fuck you. fuck you for getting that one last fuck in. fuck you for letting me believe we were still gonna be friends. fuck you for being okay. fuck you. fuck you flr never defending me. fuck uou for everything you did during the relationship. fuck you. fuck you. i was never going to be enough for you. i was never going to be what you so dreamed of. no matter what i was never going to be it for you? you were it for me. fuck you for pretending like you loved me. fuck you for letting me believe a lie for years. fuck you. fuck you. fuck you for not moving to Victoria. never ballsy enough to end it but to let me live in misery. fuck you for being miserable with me. fuck you nathan. i hope one day you see this and think about how much you miss me. i hope you think back and realized that i loved you so hard and raw. i hope you realize what you did. i would’ve never slept with you or stayed with u for that night knowing you had no intention of continuing it. fuck you. fuck you. you let me believe you still loved me. you let me have hope for having you in my life. fuck you for everything you did. fuck you for letting me love you. fuck you for the way you handled this breakup. fuck you. fuck you. fuck you. fuck you for never being there for me. fuck you for letting me cry myself to sleep next you to after i got diagnosed. i made you dinner after i got literal chemo. i had spots on my brain. you didn’t even hold me after. you were not there for me. you let me sob and didn’t even look me in hen eye. fuck you. fuck you. i tried to be a cool girl with you. I will never be cool enough. did i ever mean anything to you? was i just a body to keep you company? how can you just be fine? fuck you for wrecking my college experience. fuck you for pretending to love me. how could you love me and still be okay? fuck you for not wishing me a happy birthday. fuck you for never being vulnerable. fuck you for letting me believe i was worth anything to you. fuck u for becoming this twisted villain. i wish i could go back and erase you. i wish you never dated me. i would never have to feel like this. i would never have to be this alone. fuck uou for not trying. i begged you to love me. i begged to be enough. i sobbed to you BEGGING for a change. i beg and beg and beg and you never verbalized anything. i made you love letters, playlists, poems. i planned our future. you played video games. i am pretty, fun, funny. i am kind. i am a good person, and you destroyed me. do you hear me telling you that? you wrecked me. you took my spark and ate it. you took my beauty and stomped on it. you never said or with your words but your actions. i was worthless to you. i wasn’t even worth making dinner or a date. i wasn’t worth dinner to you. I would’ve been your wife. I would’ve been your wife. I would’ve been your wife. do you hear that? i would’ve started a life with you. actually, i did! i derailed my life for someone who couldn’t even make me fucking dinner. do you feel like a man now? do feel like one of the boys now? fuck you. how can i be friends with a man that so blanatly doesn’t care about me? respect me? did you ever? and now you’re gonna go on and paint me the villain, but i think we both know how hard i loved you. remember when i asked you if you thought we were soulmates? you said you didn’t believe in soulmates. neither did i but my love for you was so intense i started too. your love for me was so dull you can just throw me away. i fell so madly in love with you for so long and you thought i was just fine. i was nothing to you. i was just to keep you company? better than being alone? the most sick and twisted part is i do wish you the best. i want you to live a good life and fall in love and feel so much love. i want you to be okay, just wish you could’ve missed me like i miss you. if only for a little while i wish you couldve loved me like i loved you. i want you to have a wife and kids and the life you deserve, i just wish it could’ve been me. i wish i could’ve been enough for you. you loved me like a first love, but you weren’t my first, just my best. this was puppy love for you, but this was soul crushing intense love for me. you’re never supposed to read this, so if you are i on a whim decided to send it. you can take it however you want. you can paint me however you see fit, but just so you know i loved (love) you. i still crave your skin, your mind, your hair. i think i might forever. you hurt me. you hurt me so deep. i feel used. maybe im angry, or depressed, or maybe i just feel disgusted by how much of myself i gave you. you told me we would continue to see each other after (if only to be friends, or maybe more) but you looked me in the eyes and promised we would still see each other, so we had sex. so i continued to be vulnerable with you. but you never intended to stay friends with me or continue hanging out. you just wanted one last fuck. we had sex better than we have in months. is it because you knew it would be the last time? when you dropped off my stuff you kept the car running. im not even worth it to stop a minute? im not worth a hug goodbye? im completely worthless to you. you never even listened to the playlist i made you. how could i expect you to love me? how could i expect you respect me? how could i expect anything at all? i don’t know how to be a person anymore. you never looked at the posts i sent you. you never wanted to go out. you never wanted me. you never wanted me. you never wanted me. i don’t understand how you can just be ok. im sick to my stomach. everytime something happens i just want to call you. i just want to hear ur voice. i just want to see your face. i know you never want to see me again and it’s so hard. the worst part is i don’t hate you at all. i love you so much. why didn’t you love me? how am i ever going to be okay again? how am i ever going to live with this constant pit in my stomach. how can you not want me back? how can you possibly be ok right now? why wasn’t i good enough for you? how are you still laughing and being funny and having a good time? why didn’t you wish me a happy birthday? why don’t you miss me ? why don’t you miss me? why don’t you miss me?