Dry eyes and sore throat
LPRSilentGerd
2020.08.25 20:47 ohnoitsapril88 LPRSilentGerd
Laryngopharyngeal reflux is a condition in which acid that is made in the stomach travels up the esophagus (swallowing tube) and gets to the throat. Symptoms include sore throat and an irritated larynx (voice box).
2021.06.08 03:02 TuskenTheOrc TuskensTales
You push open the creaking door of your local tavern and have to quickly shield your eyes; the normally dim fireplace crackles and roars. Your favorite seat is taken, as is your second favorite and you realize it's standing room only tonight. A burly, green skinned, Half-Orc has taken center stage at a table in front of the hearth. You meet his gaze and, with a broad smile and a wink, he bellows "My throat’s getting a bit parched, who had the next round for my new friend and me?”
2011.03.10 16:25 rabidanimals The Onion Room: for When Your Eyes Need Watering
2024.05.26 07:34 Count-Daring243 Best Cute Pocket Knives
 | submitted by Count-Daring243 to u/Count-Daring243 [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/v21ptp0bjp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=103ba1da3358bdfd98a4a859bdcf7c9030c78e8b Welcome to our roundup of Cute Pocket Knives! Whether you're a seasoned craftsperson looking for a new addition to your collection or a beginner seeking a stylish and functional accessory, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll be showcasing a variety of pocket knives that not only offer practicality but also add a touch of charm to your everyday carry. So sit back, relax, and get ready to discover some delightful miniature masterpieces. The Top 5 Best Cute Pocket Knives
Reviews🔗Folding Fruit Knife with Convenient Handle Designhttps://preview.redd.it/t4vr71jbjp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=08df00857d3bd36227e2eb6c2a80b93a134b28a8 I recently had the chance to try out the Seki Japan Folding Fruit Knife, and I must say, it's a game changer for fruit prep. With a 3.3-inch stainless steel blade and an orange plastic handle, this little guy is perfect for cutting and peeling small fruits. The thick tip of the handle fits comfortably in your hand, and the small hollows on the blade prevent it from slipping out when you're taking it out. Plus, the blade folds into the handle itself, making it not only easy to store but also safe for skin contact. It's such a convenient design, especially for those summertime BBQs or camping trips. The closed length of this folding knife is only 9.9cm, so it's perfect for carrying around in your pocket or a bag. As an added bonus, this knife is made by the reputable Seki cutlery, known for their high-quality knives both domestically and internationally. They're made one by one by skilled Japanese craftsmen, ensuring their precision and strength. However, it's essential to remember that these knives are sharp and should only be used as intended. Be cautious when handling them, especially around children, and always store them away from little hands. Overall, the Seki Japan Folding Fruit Knife has been a great addition to my kitchen and outdoor toolkit. Its unique features and high-quality craftsmanship make it a reliable and versatile choice for anyone who needs a compact, sharp, and easy-to-use fruit knife. 🔗Spectrum TiNi Coated Stainless Pocket Knife with Jigged Bone Handlehttps://preview.redd.it/0wmb16ybjp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=266e03cd4678745e23f7f8a606f29a44e131645f The Frost SHS107RB Peanut Spectrum, or simply the Peanut Spectrum, is a unique and eye-catching pocket knife from the line of Frost Cutlery & Knives. Measuring in at 2.88 inches (7.32cm) when closed, it's a practical size for daily use while also standing out in a crowd. One of the first things I noticed about this knife is the Spectrum TiNi coated stainless clip and pen blades. The coating gives them a sleek, glossy finish that adds a touch of elegance and a sense of quality to the knife. The blades are sharp and precise, making it a useful tool for everyday tasks. The white jigged bone handle and nickel silver bolsters give the Peanut Spectrum a distinct look that is both timeless and modern. The inlay shield adds a subtle touch of class, protecting the handle from wear and tear. While the Peanut Spectrum is a well-designed and functional pocket knife, it does have one minor drawback - it's made in China. This might be a concern for some users who prefer products made in the US or other countries with certain manufacturing standards. Overall, the Peanut Spectrum is a stylish and practical pocket knife that would be a great addition to anyone's daily carry. The coated blades, elegant handle, and durable construction make it a worthwhile investment. Just remember to keep an eye on its origin when considering its value in the market. 🔗Quality Mini Trapper Knife with Stainless Clip and Spey Bladeshttps://preview.redd.it/4ih3j4fcjp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65df02f19bfe41083e6d04555cf3fc0c8e0aef1b The Rough Rider RR839 Tiny Trapper Knife has made its way into my daily life, and it's a charming companion to have. It's incredibly small, easily fitting into a pocket and drawing attention with its intricate details. Made from stainless steel with quality that shines through every nook and cranny, the knife looks as good as it performs. The knife features a useful clip and Spey blades, which come in handy when tackling everyday tasks. To add to its charm, it has nickel silver bolsters, giving it a touch of elegance. I must admit, while the knife is tiny, it may not always be the best choice for more demanding jobs, but it certainly does the trick for simple tasks. I'd highly recommend this Tiny Trapper Knife to anyone in search of a cute pocket companion for day-to-day life. 🔗Rough Rider Miniature Abalone & Mother of Pearl Knife Sethttps://preview.redd.it/p28pbc3djp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebb11f74c4a17ad305f82e2e9267847d5b444328 I recently stumbled upon the Rough Rider RR1710 Miniature Knife Set, and I have to say, its charm captured me right away. This set of six adorable knives, each with a mirror polish finish stainless steel blade, showcases a beautifully crafted blend of abalone and mother of pearl handles, accented by nickel silver bolsters. The keyring attachment is a nice touch, allowing you to easily carry these miniature knives with you wherever you go. The set's dimensions are compact, making it perfect for slipping into a pocket or pouch. However, despite its small size, don't be fooled – the blade lengths are surprisingly efficient at 1.13 inches. While carrying these tiny knives, I have found a few drawbacks. The smaller size can make them a bit difficult to handle for those with larger hands. Additionally, the fact that they are made in China might be a concern for some regarding quality control and material sourcing. Overall, the Rough Rider RR1710 Miniature Knife Set is a delightful addition to any collection, but it's essential to weigh the pros and cons and determine if its unique design and compact size are worth the trade-off for its potential drawbacks. 🔗Rough Rider Pink Bone Tiny Stockman Pocket Knife - Cute and Tinyhttps://preview.redd.it/8dhpgwfdjp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ce54058f74d1dba78d0253dbb862d37f64cb369 I recently tried out the Rough Rider Pink Bone Tiny Stockman Pocket Knife and I must say, it's a cute and quirky little tool. The unique pink smooth bone handle catches your eye instantly, and it's surprisingly comfortable to hold, despite its petite size. This knife sports 2" closed, which allows it to fit snugly into the pocket without being bulky. The Rough Rider comes equipped with a 440 stainless clip spey and sheepsfoot blade that's perfect for everyday use. As someone who's used to larger, heavier knives, this little guy can be a bit of a challenge to open, but once you do, it's surprisingly effective. One of the best aspects of this pocket knife is the colorful, attention-grabbing handle. It's a great choice for those who love color and want a unique knife for everyday carry. The design is minimalist and doesn't take up too much space, making it a practical addition to any bag, purse, or pocket. However, it's not all rosy. The blade itself is quite small, bordering on impractical for some tasks. It's just something to keep in mind if you're looking for a knife that can handle more strenuous duty. Overall, the Rough Rider Pink Bone Tiny Stockman Pocket Knife is a cute and functional option for those who love color and practicality in a miniature form. Yes, it's small, but its charm makes up for it. If you're looking for a pocket knife that stands out from the crowd, you've found it. Buyer's GuideWelcome to the world of cute pocket knives! These compact and fashionable tools offer more than just functionality; they can also serve as a stylish accessory. In this buyer's guide, we will discuss key features, considerations, and general advice to help you choose the perfect cute pocket knife to suit your needs.Size and Portabilityhttps://preview.redd.it/f1oyc0wdjp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86ff74d8df365981264e5b44feb2536a5b023b34 Size plays a crucial role when selecting a cute pocket knife. Choose a model that is small enough to fit comfortably in your pocket but large enough to provide an effective and comfortable grip. Consider whether you prefer a foldable or fixed blade, as each has its pros and cons in terms of portability and ease of use. Materials and ConstructionLook for a cute pocket knife made from quality materials, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, or titanium. The blade should be made from high-quality steel that maintains its sharpness well and is resistant to rust. Also, consider the handle material, which should offer a comfortable grip and resist slipping. Common materials include wood, G10, or aluminum.Design and AestheticsOne of the main advantages of cute pocket knives is their unique and eye-catching designs. Consider your style preferences when choosing a model with a pattern, color, or shape that appeals to you. Additionally, some cute pocket knives come with additional features like bottle openers, screwdrivers, or can openers, which can be useful in everyday situations. https://preview.redd.it/xebgw9eejp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5113319a96a124bcb12268b402fd48447d9e4009 Maintenance and LongevityTo ensure your cute pocket knife lasts for years, it's important to maintain it properly. Regularly clean and oil the blade to keep it rust-free. Avoid using the knife to pry open objects or force it into hard materials, as this may damage the blade or handle. Store your cute pocket knife securely when not in use to prevent it from accidentally opening in your pocket or bag.Safety and ErgonomicsErgonomic design is essential for a comfortable and safe user experience. The handle should offer a secure grip and be easy to hold, even when wet. Look for a pocket knife with a locking mechanism that secures the blade when closed, preventing accidental cuts or injuries. Always use caution when handling knives, and supervise children when they are around sharp objects.Choosing a cute pocket knife is a matter of personal preference and practical considerations. With the various styles, materials, and designs available, you're sure to find a model that suits your needs and complements your individual style. Enjoy showing off your cute pocket knife and take pride in its functionality and versatility. FAQhttps://preview.redd.it/vi79g1pejp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a2495745997126b8afe5938384bc04df1428d787 Are these pocket knives suitable for everyday use?Yes, these pocket knives are designed for everyday use. They are compact, lightweight, and durable, making them perfect for carrying in your pocket or backpack.What materials are these pocket knives made of?Most of these pocket knives are made of stainless steel, which is rust-resistant and maintain its sharpness over time. The handles may be made of various materials, such as wood, plastic, or aluminum, depending on the design. https://preview.redd.it/gjb5h12fjp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f4d9a2c5aaa609c2e28e3ebecb1a14a1beff1930 What is the blade length of these pocket knives?The blade length of these pocket knives typically ranges from 2 to 4 inches. This size is ideal for everyday tasks and keeps the knives compact and easy to carry.Are these pocket knives easy to open?Yes, these pocket knives are designed to be easy to open. Many of them feature a flip-out mechanism or a button-release system, which makes it simple to access the blade when needed.What is the weight of these pocket knives?The weight of these pocket knives can vary, but they are generally lightweight, often weighing less than 0.5 ounces. This makes them easy to carry without adding significant weight to your wallet or keychain.Are these pocket knives leak-proof?In general, no, these pocket knives are not designed to be leak-proof. They are meant for everyday tasks such as cutting rope, opening packages, and other similar activities.What is the warranty for these pocket knives?The warranty for these pocket knives will depend on the manufacturer. It's essential to read the product documentation or contact the manufacturer directly to inquire about the warranty terms.Where can I buy these pocket knives?These pocket knives are available at various online retailers, as well as local stores specializing in knives and outdoor gear. You can also find them at major online marketplaces such as Amazon.How should I care for and maintain these pocket knives?To care for and maintain your pocket knife, clean it regularly and dry it thoroughly after use. Oil the hinges and blade occasionally to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation. Store it in a protective case or sheath when not in use.As an Amazon™ Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. |
2024.05.26 07:33 MasterGabe1994 “Led By The Wolf”
Chapter 2. (Dracula)
Nine Hundred years later deep deep far in the the Shadow Forest a place called Castlevania in the black castles the kings chambers a beautiful black haired blue eyed woman named Isabell Bolton was travailing in pain as she was giving birth to her first born child, the queens maid that was there helping deliver the baby held the little child cleaned him up and wrapped him in the blanket.
“Is the Baby ok Sara?” Isabell asked very exhausted.
“Yes it’s a boy!” Sara said very excited as she gave the mother her baby.
“He’s So Handsome. Luther come quick see our boy!” Isabell said with glee.
King Luther Bolton came in and grabbed his son hugged him.
“My boy Oh my baby boy.” King Luther said very happily.
Suddenly a dark and evil witch named Festus appeared in the room with them she was pure evil.
“Oh! what do we have here aww how sweet the Dark One was finally born He will be called Dracula he will be a terror of this world he will be known all over the nation and he shall live till the end of time his power will come on his thirtieth birthday when he drinks from the cup of Shalom that’s full of blood of the wolfs tears no one will stop his destiny he is a warrior of Econdire!” The witch said with a wicked evil laugh.
King Luther drew his blade and pointed it to her as he gave the baby back to the mother.
“You will not take my child and he will not become what you said!!! You will die this night!” King Luther shouted as he charged at the witch. She disappeared as King Luther swung his blade.
“Hahahaha you can’t kill me mortal and you can’t change what is to come I’m just here to warn you if you don’t want that to happen then you must kill the baby you can change prophecy Luther Bolton! Or seek out the skull face man named Slaygar he will gladly take the child and the Prophecy will not come true! Or should I say. “Your Majesty” hahahaha! Oh Luther. Ten years from now on a day before your wife gives birth to Your fourth son you will die and Dracula will be crowned King then time will count down. Hahahahahaha!!!” Festus said laughing as she disappeared out from a window in black smoke. Luther ran to the the window she disappeared from then she went to his wife who was weeping and crying out of fear
“Honey shush it’s ok!” King Luther said as he looked with worry and concern out the window.
“We’er not calling him Dracula we’er not his name is Gabriel Luther Bolton!” Isabell said sternly. “He will be a beacon of Hope.” Isabell said smiling.
“Yes That’s Beautiful, Gabriel. I like that name. Gabriel.” King Luther said in his thoughts he was worried about the prophecy.
Years passed and Gabriel had three more brothers Drakeul, Nathen, and Samuel, Then his father got sick Gabriel was ten years old and he was trying everything he could to heal his father he was a mage a healer and he put all his herbs and couldn’t stop his father infection nor could he keep him from getting sicker. He was only able to take the pain away for a wile. But King Luther got worse and worse. The King grabbed Gabriel by the arm as he coughed and said.
“We got to get you better father I....” Gabriel said his voice shaken as he was interrupted.
“Gabriel listen it’s over there’s nothing more you can do. I feel my body shutting down before I go...” King Luther said as he winced in pain.
“No Father!” Gabriel said weeping.
“Shush! Gabriel be strong for your mother and your brothers she’s in labor now so you got to be Strong your a good man and you be a good king but I got to tell you something and you got to fight for what’s right no matter what! Your hear me son?” King Luther said as he was feeling weaker and weaker.
“Yes sir.” Gabriel said as he straightened his shoulders.
“Ten years ago when you was born a evil witch came and told us that you was the Dark One and you was to be the terror of the world til the end of time and you had a different name but I’m not at all going to speak that name and she said you was to be the warrior of Evondire.” King Luther said as he looked a his handsome boy and he smiled at him.
“Econdire? The evil prince?” Gabriel asked confused.
“Yes son and....” Luther told him all what had happened even to the point where they searched for the good witches mages sorcerers and wizards.
“They said Love is the first thing that change this fate and they said have more children as many as possible before My death and to surround you with Love and train you to be the best of yourself that love and good will overcome evil.” King Luther said as he tried hard to make sure His son knew to not loose his Live for others and those who loves him.
Gabriel looked at his father he didn’t know what to say but he swallowed and said.
Gabriel: I will live to the best of my ability to Love and be good to all.
“Good now go be with your mother and the child they need you...” King Luther didn’t finish his statement when he took his last breath and he left this world.
“Father! Father! No Father come back! Father!!!” Gabriel shouted and wept over his dead father.
King Luther died, Gabriel put his head on his fathers chest and wept the tears fell from his face on to his fathers chest. One of the Priests of Shalom walked up his name was Dagon Gibbs.
“My son he’s gone hey come here hush now.” The Priest Gibbs said with comfort.
“Bring him back Father Gibbs! Bring him Back!” Gabriel shouted still crying.
“Hush now I can’t do that I’m not God my son. I’m sorry for your loss I will prepare his ceremony but you mother gave birth to a son you need to go to her. Your coronation to be Crowned King after the ceremony of your father’s funeral. Life must go on Prince Gabriel you have a lot of priorities and obligations that Have to be done be strong Prince Gabriel.” Priest Gibbs said with a comforting voice.
Gabriel walked to the room his mother was and heard the cry of the baby he opened the doors to see his smiling mom holding her baby boy her blue eyes sparkled. She saw her firstborn and her smile faded. She then said to Gabriel.
“Gabriel come see your baby brother! I named him Logan!” Isabell said as she noticed the look on Gabriel’s face.
Gabriel held his baby brother.
“He’s so handsome and healthy, Luther would be so so happy.” Isabell said as she put her hand on Gabriel’s shoulder.
Gabriel looked at his mother and the tears fell from his eyes as well as his mothers.
“I know he be in here if he wasn’t gone but he is I know it. It was prophesied by that witch.” Isabell said as her voice shook with grief.
Gabriel put his head down.
“Oh I know baby you tried your best but his time was up sweetie. We talked long about this. I can’t grieve now you got to be ready for what’s come Gabriel.” Isabell said with sadness.
She began to weep, as she held Gabriel close to her. Gabriel gave the baby to Drakeul and hugged his mother as they wept for her for their loss. They had the beautiful ceremony for King Luther they buried him in a tomb under the castle.
Seventeen years passed the palace grew and the people where happy everything looked great Gabriel had a beautiful women they got married his it was so beautiful they had two sons identical twins Trevor and Alucard.
The year started off wonderful but then an man named John Bayn a wicked king from the deepest part north he was full of rage and sought nothing but power he attacked Transylvania and declared war against Gabriel, the king caused Gabriel to loose his source for food and he cut his supply of water king Bayn got some men inside Gabriel’s city who turned some of the people against Gabriel.
“Gabriel my brother what is your plan we have to do something we have to fight against these basters or we going to loose the city!” Drakeul said as he looked at his brother who was now king.
“Easy Drakeul getting angry at the King won’t fix this.” Samuel said as he grinned.
“He has a point Samuel we got to do something!” Nathen said to them both.
Gabriel turned around and looked at his brothers.
“Tonight we will gather the most faithful soldiers and we will attack and kill that king. I will not loose my city I will destroy my enemy!” Gabriel said with determination.
The Priest Gibbs walked up to the war table And looked at King Gabriel.
“Your Majesty. Think before you act I pray you. I dreamed of you last night, you was dark cold bitter your eyes were as red as the blood I seen you drink from the cup of Holy water from Shalom’s Temple but it was filled with blood blood that came from the Wolf’s tears you must not give in to this anger it take you far then you want to go.” Priest Gibbs Said with a Urgency and a warning.
Gabriel looked at the Priest as did everyone in the room.
“King Gabriel I beg you sir be patient don’t go wait the Lord will make away and give you Victory! Please Your Majesty stay they will come to you and the witches prophecy won’t come to pass! If you go out there, My King. The curse will happen three years early then what was told!” The Priest Gibbs said again with Urgency.
“Father Gibbs. I will not give into a witches curse I will not let a curse stop me from protecting my people I will do what has to be done and show them I am not to be played with they will know not to come against me! Like they knew not to come against my father.” King Gabriel said as he began to give out his plan.
“My King...” The Priest Gibbs said as he put his hand on King Gabriel’s shoulder.
“No Father Gibbs! They killed your son today! It stops now!” King Gabriel said as he gently put his hands on the Priest Cheek. “I will not give in to the Curse I will hold on to my Love for others and the Love y’all have for me” King Gabriel said as him and his knights went out the war room.
The Priest swallowed hard, tears fell from his eyes he didn’t know he lost his son last he spoke he sent him to the market to get bread.
“How...” He asked his voice shaky.
King Gabriel turned and looked at the Priest “They skinned him alive and put him on a spike right out the gate I’m sorry we took him down and took him to his chambers.”
Tears fell down his cheeks he walked towards Gabriel. One of the knights put their hand on the Priest shoulder to push him back, the king lift his hand stopping the knight, Gabriel walked to the Priest. The Priest put both his hands on Gabriel’s cheeks.
“Gabriel please I beg you my son is dead please heed my warning don’t make me loose another son. Listen to me don’t go out there bad things will take place that will hurt you in a way that you will curse the Lord in His temple! Please Gabriel hear me.”
Gabriel hugged the old priest as he wept over the lost of his son, not knowing that the old man was weeping over him that night was the last night of Gabriel would be a human king but Gabriel didn’t realize that the Lord himself was trying to talk through Gibbs and Gibbs was weeping because he knew Gabriel would not take heed to his warning.
Later that day just before the king and his twelve knights were going to fight for their land he kissed his wife Hope, and his two sons Trevor and Alucard.
“Here Sweet Husband.” Queen Hope Said with a sweetness in her voice.
She put a letter in his hand.
“I will be waiting their.” Hope said with love in her voice.
“Ok I’ll meet you and the kids there.” King Gabriel answered as he smiled at his beautiful wife.
Logan came running up.
“Brother!” The Prince Logan shouted.
“Logan what are you doing?” King Gabriel asked seeing Logan was decked in armor.
“Let me fight I can fight!” Logan asked determined to fight.
“No Logan you must stay here!” Gabriel demanded.
“But Brother I can fight I’m not a child I’m seventeen! I killed a Lion and stopped a thief and kept several prisoners from escaping! Please let me fight for our kingdom!” Logan asked with hope in his eyes.
“I know! What you been doing it has not been unnoticed. That’s why I need you here protect my wife and kids stay with them ok! Please Logan do this for me brother.” Gabriel said as he walked passed Logan. Logan didn’t like it but he nodded and went and stood by Hope.
They walked out the city Drakeul, Nathen, and Samuel walked side by side with their king brother Gabriel tonight was the night for Victory! The 12 Knights walked behind them as well as fifteen thousand of the faithful soldiers.
The war began the fight was harsh side by side the Bolton brother’s fault side by side and backed to back fighting the enemies as well as the twelve knights who was protecting them they fault and killed many, then faced the face King Gabriel and King Bayn began to fight each other it was a hideous battle Gabriel took a lot of wounds but before it was over King Bayn was on his knees.
“You Won but I have brothers and friends they come and avenge me! You will not stand! Your own people don’t even trust your leadership! Hahaha!” King Bayn taunted.
Gabriel swung his sword cutting Bayns head off, he picked up Bayns Crown and handed it to a red haired knight named Andrew Archer, who seemed to loose his helmet during the battle.
“Take this that will be one of my trophies.” King Gabriel said as he handed the crown to the red haired knight.
The Red head Knight Spoke.
“What about the rest any prisoners?” Andrew asked with concern.
Gabriel looked at the village that was still burning and relived walking through and seeing again what they did to those poor people. He looked at Andrew and said very coldly.
“We will show no mercy they all will die but slow I will hang them on a spike and point the towards the village they destroyed and the people they murdered so they see why they are dying so painfully!” Gabriel said with anger in his eyes. Andrew Swallowed hard and they all did as they were told and they left back to the city the screaming and pleads for mercy echoed in their ears.
Back at the castle of Transylvania a war broke out Gabriel’s soldiers was fighting for their lives against some other soldiers who was turned by the King Bayns men. Hope Trevor and Alucard was in the Temple of Shalom and the Logan was fighting to protect them Hope was a Mage she used her magic to destroy the last few guards that turned against her, she looked at Logan.
“Logan You Ben and Cole take my Sons and go!!! Go Now!!! Keep them safe!” Hope said scared for their lives.
“I can’t just Leave you!” Logan shouted.
“You must Logan protect my babies please!” Hope said with urgency.
Logan Ben and Cole took Trevor and Alucard and ran them out of the city they got on their horses and headed south. Gabriel came and saw what was going on they went and fought killing every betrayer and every last one of Bayns men. Then Gabriel remembered the note and ran to the temple and when he Got there he saw the Priest Gibbs knelt down by Hope her stomach was carved into with a knife her hands cut off her throat slit. Gabriel fell beside her.
“NO!!!! MY BABY!!!! HOPE!!!! NOOO!” King Gabriel shouted tears falling downs his cheeks as he wept. He stood up anger and raged filled him he cursed cursed the temple and the wolves he cursed everything that the temple represented and he pointed at the Priest and yelled!
“THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!!!” King Gabriel shouted in anger tears screaming down his cheeks falling to the floor.
He cursed the priest. All the 12 knights stood around him his brothers got between him and the Priest.
“Gabriel! What are you doing! It’s not his fault!” Drakeul said trying to get Gabriel under control.
“Gabriel calm down you.... Oh My God!” Samuel said as his mouth dropped open his eyes widen.
Gabriel turn to see what everyone was looking at and saw the statue of the Wolf of Shalom from its eyes were tears of blood that dropped into the Holy Water cup. Gabriel was then immediately A trance he walked to the cup.
“NO!!! STOP HIM DONT LET HIM DRINK FROM THE CUP!!!” The Priest Gibbs said with urgency.
His brothers ran to him and pulled on him he sent them flying back with a wave of his hand.
“That ain’t no magic I ever seen.” Nathen said his eyes widen and his voice shaken with fear.
Gabriel picked the cup which was full of blood and began to drink it the priest and Drakeul yelled!
Drakeul and Priest Gibbs Shouted as One. “GABRIEL!!! NOOO!!!
Gabriel drunk the cup all of the blood in the cup then the curse happened but three years early. Gabriel yelled as his body changed and his face went pale and fangs grew in his mouth and his eyes went from a beautiful blue to crimson red.
Then the Angel of the Lord appeared and said. “My name is Gabriel I am the Messenger of the Lord you have defiled this temple of the Lord and you cursed the God that created you and came against the church of the most high God you our forever cursed to walk this earth as a monster til the end of time you will bring fear and terror....”
The Angel stopped when Drakeul walked up to him, Drakeul look the Angel in the eye fear filled him he trembling knelt down grabbed the Angel by his feet he felt the Archangels Power he spoke his voice shaky.
“Please I inquire a audience with the Lord!” Drakeul asked shaking.
“You cannot see the Lord you will not survive.” The Angel Gabriel said.
“Then please tell him applaud him to have mercy no he didn’t show mercy and he did the most worse thing but please I beg you don’t let him be damned take me instead give him another chance! Please don’t let him be damned!” Drakeul pleaded with him and his brothers salvation.
Drakeul began to weep at the Angels feet, The Archangel looked at Drakeul was a little fascinated how he a soldier who Stern and cold would be weeping over his brother who did such terrible deed. Then the Lord Spoke to the Angel.
“Gabriel Bolton will still be cursed but there is away that he can redeem himself but he will have to find it but he is forever bound from the temple of the Lord until he redeems himself and only you Brothers can help him find the boy that can change him the boy must become Him and he must become the boy and the certain deeds must be done, only then shall the spirit of your Brother be redeemed however the curse of Your Brother will be on a innocent Christian who will battle to redeem the Spirit of Dracula. Your brother Gabriel’s name will change this day he will be known as Dracula the rest of this worlds time! You will share his curse soon and help him walk the right path.
The brothers looked at each other confused.
The Angel looked at the twelve knights.
“From this day till the end y’all are the wolves of Shalom there shall be many of warrior wolves through y’all and y’all will fight against Dracula and all that becomes as he is that choose evil over good and there will come a time where Vampires and Werewolves will join together to fight an even. Greater foe an evil that has been locked away. There will rise a dark mage who will set the dark lord free and become the dark lord this will be the road that may redeem Dracula. But as of now your fight is to get and keep Dracula out of the temple this day!” The Angel of the demanded.
The twelve Knights became Werewolves the first ever to walk on earth. The Angel looked at Gabriel.
“Take him Out!” The Angel commanded. Then he disappeared!
Gabriel attacked the Werewolves and the fight was extremely hideous the werewolves gave a beating but each place they clawed open healed instantly, Gabriel beat them till the turn back in human form his blood was ragging but the. The power hit them and they arose again as the werewolves and begin to drive him out of the temple.
As Gabriel taught them he saw himself in a mirror the monster he became the crimson red eyes sharp fangs pale face the sharp claw like finger nails and at that moment he saw what he done and he saw what he did to the knights and as he saw them in wolf form walking towards him wounded even but still coming he didn’t want to hurt them they were his men his people and he was hurting them and he defiled the Lords Temple. He ran out the temple his brothers followed him.
“Gabriel! Gabriel! Drakeul Shouted.
He turned around quickly he put his hand around his brothers shoulder and with that same hand lifted him off the ground like he was paper without the help of his other hand.
“My Name Is not Gabriel!!! I am Dracula!” Dracula shouted. Gabriel Bolton was no more.
He threw his brother into his other brothers Nathen and Samuel caught Drakeul and the impact knocked them three feet back they pulled themselves up off the ground and they saw his face pale as the dead his eyes which used to be beautiful blue was now bloody red, he spoke again.
“My name is Dracula every King every army will never dare to attack my country or my family I will crush them and they will know the meaning of fear!!!” Dracula shouted crazily.
Dracula said his blood boiling hot as things were transitioning in his body.
And so the prophecy was fulfilled but three years before the time. And so fear filled the land the terror of Dracula spread through each city of Transylvania and Castlevania where Dracula’s Castle was the place which was beautiful and full of light was now darkened and full of fear.
Three days later at the docks of Dragons Bridge Logan asked Ben and Cole to take his little nephews to a safe place he was going back to his brothers to help fight.
“Logan! Are you crazy man Hope asked you to get Alucard and Trevor to safety man come on with us.” Cole said with concern for Logan.
“Yea man we’re young we got to get to Safety” Ben said.
“I must go back make sure it’s safe and send for y’all. And no y’all can’t come with me y’all thirteen and fourteen” Logan said sharply.
“No I’m fifteen Logan and you need to come with us man” Ben shouted at Logan.
Cole: And I’m two days from Sixteen. And your not seventeen yet your three days from seventeen and Hope asked you to save her nephews!
“I know y’all keep them safe now please go! I will not hear anymore.” Logan said as he turned from them.
And with that Logan turns away from them in the boat and went off towards home with his friends calling for him to come back and to not be stupid, but Logan kept on walking. Ben spoke.
“Come on Cole he’s not gonna listen to us.” Ben shouted angrily.
They set out for the other side which lead to a country called Albion and to a city called Camelot where King Constantine Pendragon III ruled and Uther Pendragon was a young mighty Prince who had a Amethyst who used a spell to keep him young for a thousand years. The children would be safe there the Ben and Cole thought.
As for Logan three days passed it was his birthday he turned seventeen and he was not happy for the things he was seeing and home the enemy that attacked the city was outside the gate dead hanging from a spike he heard on of them groan he drew his sword and thrust it through the dying mans heart to end his suffering he heard more, and saw a whole line of them he went by killing them ending their suffering. Dracula stood in front of his brothers and spoke.
“No one will dare to attack me now unless they want to die which I’m more then happy to oblige, brothers with this power we’re unstoppable I can give you this gift and you can be stronger.”Dracula said to his brothers. Drakeul Samuel and Nathen couldn’t believe what they were hearing from there Brother. “Was Gabriel really gone.” They both thought. Drakeul walk up to his Brother.
“Brother! Listen to yourself this is insane! look at you! this ain’t no gift it’s a curse! The Father Shalom Cursed you made you this monster, I will not become this thing you are!” Drakeul shouted out. Dracula looked at his brother with a elite shock look the laughed mockingly
“O dear Brother you actually think I’m giving you a choice that’s rather cute.” Dracula Taunted.
In a flash he grabbed his brother he moved faster then lighting he but Drakeuls neck and began to suck his blood Drakeul went limp almost dead Dracula bit his wrist and let the blood poured down to Drakeuls lips then Drakeul died. Samuel turn to run as did Nathen out the door, Dracula flicked his hand and the door slammed shut in his face Dracula grabbed him and done the same thing to Samuel as he did Drakeul. And Nathen tried to fight Dracula but failed and suffered the same fate. Dracula took a red towel and wiped his mouth and turned around to see Logan looking straight at him fear hit him hard he watched his brother suck the blood from his other two brothers.
“Gabriel what....” Logan said scared and shaken over what he saw.
“Hush now Logan they be back and my name is no longer Gabriel it’s Dracula I am a Vampire”Dracula said with a soft a soothing voice. He was hoping to calm his baby brother.
“What Happened to you what did you do what did you become? This isn’t right Gabriel it’s not right!” Logan said still scared and shaken he never seen something like this before.
“It’s a gift Logan and I can give it to you and you never be weak again!” Dracula said trying to tempt him.
“No!!! Your a Monster this is a curse you are not my brother I don’t want your gift!” Logan shouted.
Logan turned and walked outside straight into Dracula’s arms. Fear jumped in Logan’s chest his heart started beating very fast. Dracula embraced him with a loving hug put his cheek to his brothers in a gentle hug.
“Easy baby brother I hear your heart beating way too fast trust me you be way stronger.” Dracula said as he pulled Logan back in the door and closed it then he tilted Logan’s head to the side and he bit his neck as Logan screamed.
“NOOO! BROTHER!!!! NOOO! PLEASE!!!! NOOO!” Logan screamed.
Logan died with the blood of Dracula running through his vainest and Dracula’s blood was very powerful. Dracula put his brothers in three tombs and closed them up and said. “In Three days they will be reborn more powerful then before.”
Three knights past and Dracula’s brothers came out of their tombs.
“I refuse to be evil!” Logan Shouted.
His eyes red as blood face pale white he looks like his brothers as they all looked like Dracula.
“We all refuse to be evil!” Drakeul said.
“Lets remove ourselves from this Kingdom of Dracula!” Nathen said.
“I Agree!” Samuel said.
Suddenly The Angel of the Lord appeared it was the Angel Gabriel again.
“No harm can be done to Dracula. Like you he is immortal and will forever be so as for you friends your decisions and Trevor and Alucards decisions will be the results of Dracula’s salvation or his soul forever damned. Now go you are the Guardians of Shalom save the world from your brothers wrath and hunger and save your brother.” The Angel Gabriel said. Then the Angel disappeared Logan up looked and said to his Brothers.
“Y’all go I’m going to Dracula!” Logan said as he walked to the Throne Room of Dracula.
“Little brother you can’t.” Samuel said with concern.
“Yes I have to!” Logan replied.
Logan went out to find his brother. He found his brother in the Castle sitting on his throne with a golden cup full of fresh blood.
“Logan! How’s my baby brother? You looking handsome.” Dracula asked.
“Dracula I will not follow you I will not be evil...” Logan snapped.
“Brother I’m not evil! I did what I had to do!...” Dracula interrupted and said as Logan interrupted him saying.
“Shut up Brother look at yourself look what you become look at the hideous mess you done at front gate half of them was still alive! No brother there’s nothing you can say or do to get me to follow you! You can burn in Harcarsh with the devil! But as long as I can breath you never see your children again.” Logan shouted at Dracula. Logan walked out the door and flew like lightning towards Albion and to the city Camelot he was going to do all he could to make sure those baby boys never be in reach of Dracula.
Ben and Cole made it into Albion and got off at the docks in at a small village of Noplend. No sooner then they showed up Dracula walked the land. Cole was looking at the beautiful land, Ben spoke.
“Cole this is so beautiful!” Ben said
“Yes it is!” Cole replied.
“So glad to see my little brothers friends are keeping my two boys safe.” Dracula said behind them.
They both turned around and saw their King they heard the rumors that spread about the good Great King Gabriel turned to an evil monster known as Dracula, when they saw him fear hit them their kings face was Pale white hair to his shoulders his eyes bloody red his fingernails were like claws and talons.
“My King Gabriel...” Cole said shaken as he tried to bow.
“Stop! My name is Dracula! You two kept my children alive for that I’m grateful but Logan will soon join you and I must show him something when he finds you you be dead and the message will be clear of what I can do, and when you come back as the same as he is he realize I could have kept you both dead!”
In a flash he rushed at Ben but His neck drained his blood and gave him his blood forcing him to swallow it then he broke his neck. Cole seen what happen drew his sword and attacked Dracula yelling at him for killing his best friend. Dracula drew his sword blocking Coles blade and he played with Cole speaking to him as each time the blades met.
“Cole don’t take it personal boy, it has to be this way.” Dracula said to him.
“You killed my Brother.” Cole shouted in anger trying to kill his King that looked like a monster with his red eyes and sharp fangs showing as Dracula started laughing.
“And your next it has to be this way and o yes y’all thank me later.” Dracula said as he grabbed Cole.
“Do you hear your self Dracula or who ever you are now your killing your own!” Cory shouted scared.
Dracula thrust his sword into Coles chest and pulled it out, Cole dropped his sword and feeling the life drain drone him as he felt Dracula bite his neck and drink his blood, Cole pulled away fast Dracula held his weak body closer to him Cole was getting weaker by the second, Dracula bit his wrist and forced Cole to open his mouth and the blood poured in Cole spit it out and Dracula did it again and Cole tried to resist but Dracula covered his mouth with his hand Cole kicked and and tried to get away he died with Dracula’s blood in his mouth the blood went down his throat and spreading through his veins. Dracula heard his sons crying he went and picked them up.
“Hush now it’s ok they both be back watch them and watch Logan. Logan needs to learn you can’t take my sons from me and not get away with it.” Dracula said as he kissed both his sons before he disappeared in blood red smoke.
Logan came and saw what Dracula did to his friends he fell to his knees and wept.
“NOOO!!! NOOO!!!” Logan shouted crying.
He heard Cole gasp air and he rose up quickly as did Ben they both were now vampires their eyes bloody red as Dracula’s and Logan’s was.
“What NO! I’m sorry I’m so sorry this happened to you!” Logan said as he could feel a sharp pain in his heart. The pain was intense more then usual and it stayed it didn’t ease like it used to after awhile.
Dracula laughed.
“Well now sense everyone is up and doing good let’s have a talk about my children!” Dracula said still laughing.
“Brother why did you do this?!?” Logan shouted his tears dropping to the ground like rain.
“Because I can and you learn to love it! Now as for my sons you should know better then to try to keep my children away from me. Y’all will protect my children and y’all find a good family for them and let them be raised by a mother and father and you protect them. Yes I’m not crazy look at me I know I can’t raise my children alone don’t ever try to keep them away from me?” Dracula said stern and angrily.
“Take my kids to King Arther and Queen Guinevere make sure their safe.” Dracula demanded not knowing that Arther and Guinevere didn’t exist yet.
“Um King Gabriel...” Cole said his voice shaken.
Dracula looked at him with a cold glare.
“Dracula Sorry. Um their is no King Arther Or a Queen Guinevere.” Cole corrected himself and then said plainly.
Dracula put his head down confused he started having visions that morning and he was have more he shook his head again.
“Right King Constantine III Arther Pendragon is not born yet. Take my sons to Constantine.
“Dracula are you ok? Brother” Logan said. Despite the situation Logan still Loved Dracula and he could feel the love.
“Shut up and Go!!! Get my kids there!” Dracula shouted he could feel Logan’s love and it was a warmth to his cold heart and it hurt him cause all he could think about was Hope.
When the red smoke he disappeared from them. Logan covered his face and shook his head and looked at the children sleeping and he looked at his friends and said.
“Ben, Cole, I’m sorry I’m sorry he did this to you.” Logan said tears falling from his eyes.
“It’s ok Logan I feel good and strong better then I ever had. But we need to figure out what to do to keep Trevor and Alucard safe.” Ben said hoping to make Logan feel better.
“Your right well let’s go to Camelot.” Logan replied.
“I’m so thirsty. I... I want blood!” Cole said as he held his stomach.
Logan’s thirst hit him to as well as Bens.
“Logan the babies.” Ben said with concern.
A mage appeared he was old his hair and beard was long and white his name was Amorous.
“Logan Bolton Son of Luther Bolton the Vampire that will save Emyrs and Merlin and set them on their paths to their destiny.” Amorous said very happily.
Logan, Ben, and Cole, looked at the mage their mouth was open the smelt his blood and he looked like food to them. Amorous pulled out three big water bags that were full of blood.
“Here drink and get your strength there’s much you have to learn. And let’s get the little ones to a good home.” Amorous said as he gave them the blood to drink. Their long journey began.
submitted by MasterGabe1994 to selfpublish [link] [comments]
Nine Hundred years later deep deep far in the the Shadow Forest a place called Castlevania in the black castles the kings chambers a beautiful black haired blue eyed woman named Isabell Bolton was travailing in pain as she was giving birth to her first born child, the queens maid that was there helping deliver the baby held the little child cleaned him up and wrapped him in the blanket.
“Is the Baby ok Sara?” Isabell asked very exhausted.
“Yes it’s a boy!” Sara said very excited as she gave the mother her baby.
“He’s So Handsome. Luther come quick see our boy!” Isabell said with glee.
King Luther Bolton came in and grabbed his son hugged him.
“My boy Oh my baby boy.” King Luther said very happily.
Suddenly a dark and evil witch named Festus appeared in the room with them she was pure evil.
“Oh! what do we have here aww how sweet the Dark One was finally born He will be called Dracula he will be a terror of this world he will be known all over the nation and he shall live till the end of time his power will come on his thirtieth birthday when he drinks from the cup of Shalom that’s full of blood of the wolfs tears no one will stop his destiny he is a warrior of Econdire!” The witch said with a wicked evil laugh.
King Luther drew his blade and pointed it to her as he gave the baby back to the mother.
“You will not take my child and he will not become what you said!!! You will die this night!” King Luther shouted as he charged at the witch. She disappeared as King Luther swung his blade.
“Hahahaha you can’t kill me mortal and you can’t change what is to come I’m just here to warn you if you don’t want that to happen then you must kill the baby you can change prophecy Luther Bolton! Or seek out the skull face man named Slaygar he will gladly take the child and the Prophecy will not come true! Or should I say. “Your Majesty” hahahaha! Oh Luther. Ten years from now on a day before your wife gives birth to Your fourth son you will die and Dracula will be crowned King then time will count down. Hahahahahaha!!!” Festus said laughing as she disappeared out from a window in black smoke. Luther ran to the the window she disappeared from then she went to his wife who was weeping and crying out of fear
“Honey shush it’s ok!” King Luther said as he looked with worry and concern out the window.
“We’er not calling him Dracula we’er not his name is Gabriel Luther Bolton!” Isabell said sternly. “He will be a beacon of Hope.” Isabell said smiling.
“Yes That’s Beautiful, Gabriel. I like that name. Gabriel.” King Luther said in his thoughts he was worried about the prophecy.
Years passed and Gabriel had three more brothers Drakeul, Nathen, and Samuel, Then his father got sick Gabriel was ten years old and he was trying everything he could to heal his father he was a mage a healer and he put all his herbs and couldn’t stop his father infection nor could he keep him from getting sicker. He was only able to take the pain away for a wile. But King Luther got worse and worse. The King grabbed Gabriel by the arm as he coughed and said.
“We got to get you better father I....” Gabriel said his voice shaken as he was interrupted.
“Gabriel listen it’s over there’s nothing more you can do. I feel my body shutting down before I go...” King Luther said as he winced in pain.
“No Father!” Gabriel said weeping.
“Shush! Gabriel be strong for your mother and your brothers she’s in labor now so you got to be Strong your a good man and you be a good king but I got to tell you something and you got to fight for what’s right no matter what! Your hear me son?” King Luther said as he was feeling weaker and weaker.
“Yes sir.” Gabriel said as he straightened his shoulders.
“Ten years ago when you was born a evil witch came and told us that you was the Dark One and you was to be the terror of the world til the end of time and you had a different name but I’m not at all going to speak that name and she said you was to be the warrior of Evondire.” King Luther said as he looked a his handsome boy and he smiled at him.
“Econdire? The evil prince?” Gabriel asked confused.
“Yes son and....” Luther told him all what had happened even to the point where they searched for the good witches mages sorcerers and wizards.
“They said Love is the first thing that change this fate and they said have more children as many as possible before My death and to surround you with Love and train you to be the best of yourself that love and good will overcome evil.” King Luther said as he tried hard to make sure His son knew to not loose his Live for others and those who loves him.
Gabriel looked at his father he didn’t know what to say but he swallowed and said.
Gabriel: I will live to the best of my ability to Love and be good to all.
“Good now go be with your mother and the child they need you...” King Luther didn’t finish his statement when he took his last breath and he left this world.
“Father! Father! No Father come back! Father!!!” Gabriel shouted and wept over his dead father.
King Luther died, Gabriel put his head on his fathers chest and wept the tears fell from his face on to his fathers chest. One of the Priests of Shalom walked up his name was Dagon Gibbs.
“My son he’s gone hey come here hush now.” The Priest Gibbs said with comfort.
“Bring him back Father Gibbs! Bring him Back!” Gabriel shouted still crying.
“Hush now I can’t do that I’m not God my son. I’m sorry for your loss I will prepare his ceremony but you mother gave birth to a son you need to go to her. Your coronation to be Crowned King after the ceremony of your father’s funeral. Life must go on Prince Gabriel you have a lot of priorities and obligations that Have to be done be strong Prince Gabriel.” Priest Gibbs said with a comforting voice.
Gabriel walked to the room his mother was and heard the cry of the baby he opened the doors to see his smiling mom holding her baby boy her blue eyes sparkled. She saw her firstborn and her smile faded. She then said to Gabriel.
“Gabriel come see your baby brother! I named him Logan!” Isabell said as she noticed the look on Gabriel’s face.
Gabriel held his baby brother.
“He’s so handsome and healthy, Luther would be so so happy.” Isabell said as she put her hand on Gabriel’s shoulder.
Gabriel looked at his mother and the tears fell from his eyes as well as his mothers.
“I know he be in here if he wasn’t gone but he is I know it. It was prophesied by that witch.” Isabell said as her voice shook with grief.
Gabriel put his head down.
“Oh I know baby you tried your best but his time was up sweetie. We talked long about this. I can’t grieve now you got to be ready for what’s come Gabriel.” Isabell said with sadness.
She began to weep, as she held Gabriel close to her. Gabriel gave the baby to Drakeul and hugged his mother as they wept for her for their loss. They had the beautiful ceremony for King Luther they buried him in a tomb under the castle.
Seventeen years passed the palace grew and the people where happy everything looked great Gabriel had a beautiful women they got married his it was so beautiful they had two sons identical twins Trevor and Alucard.
The year started off wonderful but then an man named John Bayn a wicked king from the deepest part north he was full of rage and sought nothing but power he attacked Transylvania and declared war against Gabriel, the king caused Gabriel to loose his source for food and he cut his supply of water king Bayn got some men inside Gabriel’s city who turned some of the people against Gabriel.
“Gabriel my brother what is your plan we have to do something we have to fight against these basters or we going to loose the city!” Drakeul said as he looked at his brother who was now king.
“Easy Drakeul getting angry at the King won’t fix this.” Samuel said as he grinned.
“He has a point Samuel we got to do something!” Nathen said to them both.
Gabriel turned around and looked at his brothers.
“Tonight we will gather the most faithful soldiers and we will attack and kill that king. I will not loose my city I will destroy my enemy!” Gabriel said with determination.
The Priest Gibbs walked up to the war table And looked at King Gabriel.
“Your Majesty. Think before you act I pray you. I dreamed of you last night, you was dark cold bitter your eyes were as red as the blood I seen you drink from the cup of Holy water from Shalom’s Temple but it was filled with blood blood that came from the Wolf’s tears you must not give in to this anger it take you far then you want to go.” Priest Gibbs Said with a Urgency and a warning.
Gabriel looked at the Priest as did everyone in the room.
“King Gabriel I beg you sir be patient don’t go wait the Lord will make away and give you Victory! Please Your Majesty stay they will come to you and the witches prophecy won’t come to pass! If you go out there, My King. The curse will happen three years early then what was told!” The Priest Gibbs said again with Urgency.
“Father Gibbs. I will not give into a witches curse I will not let a curse stop me from protecting my people I will do what has to be done and show them I am not to be played with they will know not to come against me! Like they knew not to come against my father.” King Gabriel said as he began to give out his plan.
“My King...” The Priest Gibbs said as he put his hand on King Gabriel’s shoulder.
“No Father Gibbs! They killed your son today! It stops now!” King Gabriel said as he gently put his hands on the Priest Cheek. “I will not give in to the Curse I will hold on to my Love for others and the Love y’all have for me” King Gabriel said as him and his knights went out the war room.
The Priest swallowed hard, tears fell from his eyes he didn’t know he lost his son last he spoke he sent him to the market to get bread.
“How...” He asked his voice shaky.
King Gabriel turned and looked at the Priest “They skinned him alive and put him on a spike right out the gate I’m sorry we took him down and took him to his chambers.”
Tears fell down his cheeks he walked towards Gabriel. One of the knights put their hand on the Priest shoulder to push him back, the king lift his hand stopping the knight, Gabriel walked to the Priest. The Priest put both his hands on Gabriel’s cheeks.
“Gabriel please I beg you my son is dead please heed my warning don’t make me loose another son. Listen to me don’t go out there bad things will take place that will hurt you in a way that you will curse the Lord in His temple! Please Gabriel hear me.”
Gabriel hugged the old priest as he wept over the lost of his son, not knowing that the old man was weeping over him that night was the last night of Gabriel would be a human king but Gabriel didn’t realize that the Lord himself was trying to talk through Gibbs and Gibbs was weeping because he knew Gabriel would not take heed to his warning.
Later that day just before the king and his twelve knights were going to fight for their land he kissed his wife Hope, and his two sons Trevor and Alucard.
“Here Sweet Husband.” Queen Hope Said with a sweetness in her voice.
She put a letter in his hand.
“I will be waiting their.” Hope said with love in her voice.
“Ok I’ll meet you and the kids there.” King Gabriel answered as he smiled at his beautiful wife.
Logan came running up.
“Brother!” The Prince Logan shouted.
“Logan what are you doing?” King Gabriel asked seeing Logan was decked in armor.
“Let me fight I can fight!” Logan asked determined to fight.
“No Logan you must stay here!” Gabriel demanded.
“But Brother I can fight I’m not a child I’m seventeen! I killed a Lion and stopped a thief and kept several prisoners from escaping! Please let me fight for our kingdom!” Logan asked with hope in his eyes.
“I know! What you been doing it has not been unnoticed. That’s why I need you here protect my wife and kids stay with them ok! Please Logan do this for me brother.” Gabriel said as he walked passed Logan. Logan didn’t like it but he nodded and went and stood by Hope.
They walked out the city Drakeul, Nathen, and Samuel walked side by side with their king brother Gabriel tonight was the night for Victory! The 12 Knights walked behind them as well as fifteen thousand of the faithful soldiers.
The war began the fight was harsh side by side the Bolton brother’s fault side by side and backed to back fighting the enemies as well as the twelve knights who was protecting them they fault and killed many, then faced the face King Gabriel and King Bayn began to fight each other it was a hideous battle Gabriel took a lot of wounds but before it was over King Bayn was on his knees.
“You Won but I have brothers and friends they come and avenge me! You will not stand! Your own people don’t even trust your leadership! Hahaha!” King Bayn taunted.
Gabriel swung his sword cutting Bayns head off, he picked up Bayns Crown and handed it to a red haired knight named Andrew Archer, who seemed to loose his helmet during the battle.
“Take this that will be one of my trophies.” King Gabriel said as he handed the crown to the red haired knight.
The Red head Knight Spoke.
“What about the rest any prisoners?” Andrew asked with concern.
Gabriel looked at the village that was still burning and relived walking through and seeing again what they did to those poor people. He looked at Andrew and said very coldly.
“We will show no mercy they all will die but slow I will hang them on a spike and point the towards the village they destroyed and the people they murdered so they see why they are dying so painfully!” Gabriel said with anger in his eyes. Andrew Swallowed hard and they all did as they were told and they left back to the city the screaming and pleads for mercy echoed in their ears.
Back at the castle of Transylvania a war broke out Gabriel’s soldiers was fighting for their lives against some other soldiers who was turned by the King Bayns men. Hope Trevor and Alucard was in the Temple of Shalom and the Logan was fighting to protect them Hope was a Mage she used her magic to destroy the last few guards that turned against her, she looked at Logan.
“Logan You Ben and Cole take my Sons and go!!! Go Now!!! Keep them safe!” Hope said scared for their lives.
“I can’t just Leave you!” Logan shouted.
“You must Logan protect my babies please!” Hope said with urgency.
Logan Ben and Cole took Trevor and Alucard and ran them out of the city they got on their horses and headed south. Gabriel came and saw what was going on they went and fought killing every betrayer and every last one of Bayns men. Then Gabriel remembered the note and ran to the temple and when he Got there he saw the Priest Gibbs knelt down by Hope her stomach was carved into with a knife her hands cut off her throat slit. Gabriel fell beside her.
“NO!!!! MY BABY!!!! HOPE!!!! NOOO!” King Gabriel shouted tears falling downs his cheeks as he wept. He stood up anger and raged filled him he cursed cursed the temple and the wolves he cursed everything that the temple represented and he pointed at the Priest and yelled!
“THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!!!” King Gabriel shouted in anger tears screaming down his cheeks falling to the floor.
He cursed the priest. All the 12 knights stood around him his brothers got between him and the Priest.
“Gabriel! What are you doing! It’s not his fault!” Drakeul said trying to get Gabriel under control.
“Gabriel calm down you.... Oh My God!” Samuel said as his mouth dropped open his eyes widen.
Gabriel turn to see what everyone was looking at and saw the statue of the Wolf of Shalom from its eyes were tears of blood that dropped into the Holy Water cup. Gabriel was then immediately A trance he walked to the cup.
“NO!!! STOP HIM DONT LET HIM DRINK FROM THE CUP!!!” The Priest Gibbs said with urgency.
His brothers ran to him and pulled on him he sent them flying back with a wave of his hand.
“That ain’t no magic I ever seen.” Nathen said his eyes widen and his voice shaken with fear.
Gabriel picked the cup which was full of blood and began to drink it the priest and Drakeul yelled!
Drakeul and Priest Gibbs Shouted as One. “GABRIEL!!! NOOO!!!
Gabriel drunk the cup all of the blood in the cup then the curse happened but three years early. Gabriel yelled as his body changed and his face went pale and fangs grew in his mouth and his eyes went from a beautiful blue to crimson red.
Then the Angel of the Lord appeared and said. “My name is Gabriel I am the Messenger of the Lord you have defiled this temple of the Lord and you cursed the God that created you and came against the church of the most high God you our forever cursed to walk this earth as a monster til the end of time you will bring fear and terror....”
The Angel stopped when Drakeul walked up to him, Drakeul look the Angel in the eye fear filled him he trembling knelt down grabbed the Angel by his feet he felt the Archangels Power he spoke his voice shaky.
“Please I inquire a audience with the Lord!” Drakeul asked shaking.
“You cannot see the Lord you will not survive.” The Angel Gabriel said.
“Then please tell him applaud him to have mercy no he didn’t show mercy and he did the most worse thing but please I beg you don’t let him be damned take me instead give him another chance! Please don’t let him be damned!” Drakeul pleaded with him and his brothers salvation.
Drakeul began to weep at the Angels feet, The Archangel looked at Drakeul was a little fascinated how he a soldier who Stern and cold would be weeping over his brother who did such terrible deed. Then the Lord Spoke to the Angel.
“Gabriel Bolton will still be cursed but there is away that he can redeem himself but he will have to find it but he is forever bound from the temple of the Lord until he redeems himself and only you Brothers can help him find the boy that can change him the boy must become Him and he must become the boy and the certain deeds must be done, only then shall the spirit of your Brother be redeemed however the curse of Your Brother will be on a innocent Christian who will battle to redeem the Spirit of Dracula. Your brother Gabriel’s name will change this day he will be known as Dracula the rest of this worlds time! You will share his curse soon and help him walk the right path.
The brothers looked at each other confused.
The Angel looked at the twelve knights.
“From this day till the end y’all are the wolves of Shalom there shall be many of warrior wolves through y’all and y’all will fight against Dracula and all that becomes as he is that choose evil over good and there will come a time where Vampires and Werewolves will join together to fight an even. Greater foe an evil that has been locked away. There will rise a dark mage who will set the dark lord free and become the dark lord this will be the road that may redeem Dracula. But as of now your fight is to get and keep Dracula out of the temple this day!” The Angel of the demanded.
The twelve Knights became Werewolves the first ever to walk on earth. The Angel looked at Gabriel.
“Take him Out!” The Angel commanded. Then he disappeared!
Gabriel attacked the Werewolves and the fight was extremely hideous the werewolves gave a beating but each place they clawed open healed instantly, Gabriel beat them till the turn back in human form his blood was ragging but the. The power hit them and they arose again as the werewolves and begin to drive him out of the temple.
As Gabriel taught them he saw himself in a mirror the monster he became the crimson red eyes sharp fangs pale face the sharp claw like finger nails and at that moment he saw what he done and he saw what he did to the knights and as he saw them in wolf form walking towards him wounded even but still coming he didn’t want to hurt them they were his men his people and he was hurting them and he defiled the Lords Temple. He ran out the temple his brothers followed him.
“Gabriel! Gabriel! Drakeul Shouted.
He turned around quickly he put his hand around his brothers shoulder and with that same hand lifted him off the ground like he was paper without the help of his other hand.
“My Name Is not Gabriel!!! I am Dracula!” Dracula shouted. Gabriel Bolton was no more.
He threw his brother into his other brothers Nathen and Samuel caught Drakeul and the impact knocked them three feet back they pulled themselves up off the ground and they saw his face pale as the dead his eyes which used to be beautiful blue was now bloody red, he spoke again.
“My name is Dracula every King every army will never dare to attack my country or my family I will crush them and they will know the meaning of fear!!!” Dracula shouted crazily.
Dracula said his blood boiling hot as things were transitioning in his body.
And so the prophecy was fulfilled but three years before the time. And so fear filled the land the terror of Dracula spread through each city of Transylvania and Castlevania where Dracula’s Castle was the place which was beautiful and full of light was now darkened and full of fear.
Three days later at the docks of Dragons Bridge Logan asked Ben and Cole to take his little nephews to a safe place he was going back to his brothers to help fight.
“Logan! Are you crazy man Hope asked you to get Alucard and Trevor to safety man come on with us.” Cole said with concern for Logan.
“Yea man we’re young we got to get to Safety” Ben said.
“I must go back make sure it’s safe and send for y’all. And no y’all can’t come with me y’all thirteen and fourteen” Logan said sharply.
“No I’m fifteen Logan and you need to come with us man” Ben shouted at Logan.
Cole: And I’m two days from Sixteen. And your not seventeen yet your three days from seventeen and Hope asked you to save her nephews!
“I know y’all keep them safe now please go! I will not hear anymore.” Logan said as he turned from them.
And with that Logan turns away from them in the boat and went off towards home with his friends calling for him to come back and to not be stupid, but Logan kept on walking. Ben spoke.
“Come on Cole he’s not gonna listen to us.” Ben shouted angrily.
They set out for the other side which lead to a country called Albion and to a city called Camelot where King Constantine Pendragon III ruled and Uther Pendragon was a young mighty Prince who had a Amethyst who used a spell to keep him young for a thousand years. The children would be safe there the Ben and Cole thought.
As for Logan three days passed it was his birthday he turned seventeen and he was not happy for the things he was seeing and home the enemy that attacked the city was outside the gate dead hanging from a spike he heard on of them groan he drew his sword and thrust it through the dying mans heart to end his suffering he heard more, and saw a whole line of them he went by killing them ending their suffering. Dracula stood in front of his brothers and spoke.
“No one will dare to attack me now unless they want to die which I’m more then happy to oblige, brothers with this power we’re unstoppable I can give you this gift and you can be stronger.”Dracula said to his brothers. Drakeul Samuel and Nathen couldn’t believe what they were hearing from there Brother. “Was Gabriel really gone.” They both thought. Drakeul walk up to his Brother.
“Brother! Listen to yourself this is insane! look at you! this ain’t no gift it’s a curse! The Father Shalom Cursed you made you this monster, I will not become this thing you are!” Drakeul shouted out. Dracula looked at his brother with a elite shock look the laughed mockingly
“O dear Brother you actually think I’m giving you a choice that’s rather cute.” Dracula Taunted.
In a flash he grabbed his brother he moved faster then lighting he but Drakeuls neck and began to suck his blood Drakeul went limp almost dead Dracula bit his wrist and let the blood poured down to Drakeuls lips then Drakeul died. Samuel turn to run as did Nathen out the door, Dracula flicked his hand and the door slammed shut in his face Dracula grabbed him and done the same thing to Samuel as he did Drakeul. And Nathen tried to fight Dracula but failed and suffered the same fate. Dracula took a red towel and wiped his mouth and turned around to see Logan looking straight at him fear hit him hard he watched his brother suck the blood from his other two brothers.
“Gabriel what....” Logan said scared and shaken over what he saw.
“Hush now Logan they be back and my name is no longer Gabriel it’s Dracula I am a Vampire”Dracula said with a soft a soothing voice. He was hoping to calm his baby brother.
“What Happened to you what did you do what did you become? This isn’t right Gabriel it’s not right!” Logan said still scared and shaken he never seen something like this before.
“It’s a gift Logan and I can give it to you and you never be weak again!” Dracula said trying to tempt him.
“No!!! Your a Monster this is a curse you are not my brother I don’t want your gift!” Logan shouted.
Logan turned and walked outside straight into Dracula’s arms. Fear jumped in Logan’s chest his heart started beating very fast. Dracula embraced him with a loving hug put his cheek to his brothers in a gentle hug.
“Easy baby brother I hear your heart beating way too fast trust me you be way stronger.” Dracula said as he pulled Logan back in the door and closed it then he tilted Logan’s head to the side and he bit his neck as Logan screamed.
“NOOO! BROTHER!!!! NOOO! PLEASE!!!! NOOO!” Logan screamed.
Logan died with the blood of Dracula running through his vainest and Dracula’s blood was very powerful. Dracula put his brothers in three tombs and closed them up and said. “In Three days they will be reborn more powerful then before.”
Three knights past and Dracula’s brothers came out of their tombs.
“I refuse to be evil!” Logan Shouted.
His eyes red as blood face pale white he looks like his brothers as they all looked like Dracula.
“We all refuse to be evil!” Drakeul said.
“Lets remove ourselves from this Kingdom of Dracula!” Nathen said.
“I Agree!” Samuel said.
Suddenly The Angel of the Lord appeared it was the Angel Gabriel again.
“No harm can be done to Dracula. Like you he is immortal and will forever be so as for you friends your decisions and Trevor and Alucards decisions will be the results of Dracula’s salvation or his soul forever damned. Now go you are the Guardians of Shalom save the world from your brothers wrath and hunger and save your brother.” The Angel Gabriel said. Then the Angel disappeared Logan up looked and said to his Brothers.
“Y’all go I’m going to Dracula!” Logan said as he walked to the Throne Room of Dracula.
“Little brother you can’t.” Samuel said with concern.
“Yes I have to!” Logan replied.
Logan went out to find his brother. He found his brother in the Castle sitting on his throne with a golden cup full of fresh blood.
“Logan! How’s my baby brother? You looking handsome.” Dracula asked.
“Dracula I will not follow you I will not be evil...” Logan snapped.
“Brother I’m not evil! I did what I had to do!...” Dracula interrupted and said as Logan interrupted him saying.
“Shut up Brother look at yourself look what you become look at the hideous mess you done at front gate half of them was still alive! No brother there’s nothing you can say or do to get me to follow you! You can burn in Harcarsh with the devil! But as long as I can breath you never see your children again.” Logan shouted at Dracula. Logan walked out the door and flew like lightning towards Albion and to the city Camelot he was going to do all he could to make sure those baby boys never be in reach of Dracula.
Ben and Cole made it into Albion and got off at the docks in at a small village of Noplend. No sooner then they showed up Dracula walked the land. Cole was looking at the beautiful land, Ben spoke.
“Cole this is so beautiful!” Ben said
“Yes it is!” Cole replied.
“So glad to see my little brothers friends are keeping my two boys safe.” Dracula said behind them.
They both turned around and saw their King they heard the rumors that spread about the good Great King Gabriel turned to an evil monster known as Dracula, when they saw him fear hit them their kings face was Pale white hair to his shoulders his eyes bloody red his fingernails were like claws and talons.
“My King Gabriel...” Cole said shaken as he tried to bow.
“Stop! My name is Dracula! You two kept my children alive for that I’m grateful but Logan will soon join you and I must show him something when he finds you you be dead and the message will be clear of what I can do, and when you come back as the same as he is he realize I could have kept you both dead!”
In a flash he rushed at Ben but His neck drained his blood and gave him his blood forcing him to swallow it then he broke his neck. Cole seen what happen drew his sword and attacked Dracula yelling at him for killing his best friend. Dracula drew his sword blocking Coles blade and he played with Cole speaking to him as each time the blades met.
“Cole don’t take it personal boy, it has to be this way.” Dracula said to him.
“You killed my Brother.” Cole shouted in anger trying to kill his King that looked like a monster with his red eyes and sharp fangs showing as Dracula started laughing.
“And your next it has to be this way and o yes y’all thank me later.” Dracula said as he grabbed Cole.
“Do you hear your self Dracula or who ever you are now your killing your own!” Cory shouted scared.
Dracula thrust his sword into Coles chest and pulled it out, Cole dropped his sword and feeling the life drain drone him as he felt Dracula bite his neck and drink his blood, Cole pulled away fast Dracula held his weak body closer to him Cole was getting weaker by the second, Dracula bit his wrist and forced Cole to open his mouth and the blood poured in Cole spit it out and Dracula did it again and Cole tried to resist but Dracula covered his mouth with his hand Cole kicked and and tried to get away he died with Dracula’s blood in his mouth the blood went down his throat and spreading through his veins. Dracula heard his sons crying he went and picked them up.
“Hush now it’s ok they both be back watch them and watch Logan. Logan needs to learn you can’t take my sons from me and not get away with it.” Dracula said as he kissed both his sons before he disappeared in blood red smoke.
Logan came and saw what Dracula did to his friends he fell to his knees and wept.
“NOOO!!! NOOO!!!” Logan shouted crying.
He heard Cole gasp air and he rose up quickly as did Ben they both were now vampires their eyes bloody red as Dracula’s and Logan’s was.
“What NO! I’m sorry I’m so sorry this happened to you!” Logan said as he could feel a sharp pain in his heart. The pain was intense more then usual and it stayed it didn’t ease like it used to after awhile.
Dracula laughed.
“Well now sense everyone is up and doing good let’s have a talk about my children!” Dracula said still laughing.
“Brother why did you do this?!?” Logan shouted his tears dropping to the ground like rain.
“Because I can and you learn to love it! Now as for my sons you should know better then to try to keep my children away from me. Y’all will protect my children and y’all find a good family for them and let them be raised by a mother and father and you protect them. Yes I’m not crazy look at me I know I can’t raise my children alone don’t ever try to keep them away from me?” Dracula said stern and angrily.
“Take my kids to King Arther and Queen Guinevere make sure their safe.” Dracula demanded not knowing that Arther and Guinevere didn’t exist yet.
“Um King Gabriel...” Cole said his voice shaken.
Dracula looked at him with a cold glare.
“Dracula Sorry. Um their is no King Arther Or a Queen Guinevere.” Cole corrected himself and then said plainly.
Dracula put his head down confused he started having visions that morning and he was have more he shook his head again.
“Right King Constantine III Arther Pendragon is not born yet. Take my sons to Constantine.
“Dracula are you ok? Brother” Logan said. Despite the situation Logan still Loved Dracula and he could feel the love.
“Shut up and Go!!! Get my kids there!” Dracula shouted he could feel Logan’s love and it was a warmth to his cold heart and it hurt him cause all he could think about was Hope.
When the red smoke he disappeared from them. Logan covered his face and shook his head and looked at the children sleeping and he looked at his friends and said.
“Ben, Cole, I’m sorry I’m sorry he did this to you.” Logan said tears falling from his eyes.
“It’s ok Logan I feel good and strong better then I ever had. But we need to figure out what to do to keep Trevor and Alucard safe.” Ben said hoping to make Logan feel better.
“Your right well let’s go to Camelot.” Logan replied.
“I’m so thirsty. I... I want blood!” Cole said as he held his stomach.
Logan’s thirst hit him to as well as Bens.
“Logan the babies.” Ben said with concern.
A mage appeared he was old his hair and beard was long and white his name was Amorous.
“Logan Bolton Son of Luther Bolton the Vampire that will save Emyrs and Merlin and set them on their paths to their destiny.” Amorous said very happily.
Logan, Ben, and Cole, looked at the mage their mouth was open the smelt his blood and he looked like food to them. Amorous pulled out three big water bags that were full of blood.
“Here drink and get your strength there’s much you have to learn. And let’s get the little ones to a good home.” Amorous said as he gave them the blood to drink. Their long journey began.
2024.05.26 07:31 ConsequenceSure3063 Best Cute Safety Glasses
 | submitted by ConsequenceSure3063 to u/ConsequenceSure3063 [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/m4lnc3mfip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=abfdb25c43286fe219c45e784250b4b50a871e61 Get ready to protect your eyes in style with our roundup of the cutest safety glasses on the market. These adorable and functional eyewear options not only keep your peepers safe but also add a touch of fashion to your work or playtime. The Top 19 Best Cute Safety Glasses
Reviews🔗Ultra-comfortable Adjustable Safety Glasses with UV Protectionhttps://preview.redd.it/mddjebcgip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f219f40fec2b5593a395dbd930e775525a6b7247 For weeks, I've been using the Mozeeda 5 Pack Safety Glasses for various tasks, and I must say, their features have really stood out. When I first put them on, I was surprised by their size. They were surprisingly roomy, allowing me to wear them over my regular glasses without any discomfort. The soft nose piece and lightweight design made them comfortable enough for me to wear for extended periods, even during physically demanding tasks. One of the highlight features for me was the anti-fog technology. After using traditional goggles, I found that these Mozeeda glasses allowed me to see clearly even in foggy conditions. It's a feature I would highly recommend for anyone who needs vision clarity for their work. The safety glasses also proved to be versatile. I used them in various situations, from gardening to welding, and they performed well each time. They were able to protect my eyes from wind, sand, and flying debris, and their splash-resistant lenses were especially useful in the lab. However, one downside I noticed was the durability. After a few weeks of use, the lenses started to show signs of wear, and the frames began to scratch easily. Despite these minor issues, the Mozeeda glasses proved to be a valuable addition to my safety gear. In summary, these Mozeeda 5 Pack Safety Glasses are a practical and comfortable choice for anyone needing protection against various hazards. While they might require some maintenance to keep them in top shape, their versatility makes them a worthwhile investment. 🔗Reliable Safety Eyewear Glasses for Adverse Weatherhttps://preview.redd.it/3zij1h1hip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ebb8afca69740d5c3f51634ba53f1f4707a2ada These ToolFreak Rip Out Safety Glasses with Foam Padding are a game changer for anyone in a job that requires protective eyewear. The foam padding is comfortable and secure, making them a reliable option even in adverse weather conditions. The detachable headstrap allows even more flexibility, so they can be worn in various ways. The case and cloth included for safekeeping are an added bonus. However, one minor drawback is that they might not be suitable for everyone, as some users may find them a bit too snug. Overall, I highly recommend these Cute Safety Glasses for anyone looking for reliable and adaptable eye protection. 🔗Durable Smoke Safety Glasses with Green Lens for Ultimate Protectionhttps://preview.redd.it/u6lri5vkip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a380bceafc4697cb91a83c0a83a1d4de0b5945be I recently tried the Bouton 249-5907-207 Traditional Safety Glasses, and I must say, they're a game-changer. The smoke frame and green IR 3.0 lenses offer sturdy protection without sacrificing style. The built-in wire mesh side shields gave me a sense of security when working in my workshop, knowing my eyes were well-guarded. One aspect that stood out was the molded nose bridge design, which felt comfortable and fit my face perfectly. The U-Fit spatula temples were a nice touch, allowing for a custom fit that didn't cause any discomfort throughout the day. Despite a few minor scratches from everyday use, the lenses remained scratch-resistant and clear. While these glasses are heavy-duty and built to last, I did notice that the side shields could be more robust. A few occasions required me to adjust them so they would clip in properly. All in all, the Bouton 249-5907-207 Traditional Safety Glasses are a solid choice for anyone who wants the perfect blend of style and safety. 🔗Stylish and Comfortable Cute Safety Glasseshttps://preview.redd.it/kq3eg04lip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f16906ca7c499e1545cde950ce129f95cd900750 I was thrilled to try out these SQIMZAR Safety Glasses Goggles, especially after hearing about them from a friend who uses them at her nursing job. I appreciated the unique side shield design that not only protected my eyes from dust, pollen, and other particles but also kept them from getting irritated by saliva or blue light. The anti-scratch feature was a game-changer, ensuring that my vision stayed clear even after prolonged use. What really stood out to me was the comfort level. These glasses were lightweight and designed to fit snugly without slipping, making them perfect for a variety of situations – from working in a lab to shooting a ball. And in case you're wondering, yes, they're great for activities like playing video games or watching TV, too. Of course, no product is perfect, and I did notice that the anti-fog coating wore off over time, but overall, I was impressed with the comfort, protection, and style these glasses offered. If you're looking for stylish and effective safety eyewear, these SQIMZAR goggles are definitely worth considering. 🔗Comfortable Durable Safety Glasses for Allhttps://preview.redd.it/uux4w1jlip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=110d09250b8ba1c53c5e71b8ab4f0344b9c71f5f The Bolle Tracker Safety Glasses Twilight are the ultimate combination of style and protection, perfect for any outdoor enthusiast. I discovered these glasses a few weeks ago and they have seriously become a staple in my daily routine. The best part? My entire family can use them too. From the moment I put them on, I felt the comfort envelop my face. The adjustable head strap meant that not only was I protected, but I was also comfortable all day long. The frame material and eye seal are exceptional when it comes to blocking out dust and other particles. The 99.99% UVA and UVB light absorption feature is another outstanding highlight of these glasses, keeping my eyes safe even on the brightest days. And let's not forget the anti-fog and anti-scratch coating on both sides – what a game-changer! Now, while these glasses are perfect in many ways, I did notice that they tend to fog up a bit after long hours of use. However, this doesn't take away from the overall amazing experience I've had with the Bolle Tracker Safety Glasses Twilight. If you're looking for a reliable pair of safety glasses that also fit perfectly and look fantastic, look no further – these are the ones! 🔗Cute Cat Eye Safety Glasses with Clear Anti-Fog Lenshttps://preview.redd.it/0bftxl0mip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a241b4f8f60e4e368ea7eece33e9cbc4e959566 Working in a woodshop as an amateur carpenter, I often found myself squinting through my old worn-out safety glasses that felt more like an accessory than a genuine protective measure. So when I stumbled upon Stoggles' Cat Eye Safety Glasses with Clear Anti-Fog Lens, I couldn't resist giving them a try. As a first-time user, I was immediately drawn to the unique design that added a retro touch to the safety aspect. The protective barrier provided a sense of security and confidence while working, and the cat eye shape was a nice little detail that made the glasses stand out in a sea of regular safety eyewear. One feature that truly impressed me was the lens' ability to block blue light. As someone who spends hours in front of computer screens and smartphones, this was a game-changer. My eyes felt less strained, and I appreciated being able to focus on work for extended periods without feeling the need to take breaks as often. However, there was one downside to using these safety glasses. Although they boasted the ability to block 100% of UV rays, I noticed a very slight yellowish tint when looking at the sun. It wasn't enough to interfere with my work, but it was noticeable nonetheless. Despite that minor inconvenience, I found the Stoggles Cat Eye Safety Glasses to be comfortable and functional. They stayed in place without any issues and were a breeze to clean. The frames were lightweight and sturdy, and I appreciated the added protection the side and top shields offered. In conclusion, the Stoggles Cat Eye Safety Glasses with Clear Anti-Fog Lens proved to be a reliable and fashionable choice for someone like me who needed a functional safety eyewear solution without compromising on style. While they weren't perfect, the pros greatly outweighed the cons, making them a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for both style and safety. 🔗Stylish and Comfortable Pink Safety Glasses for Workhttps://preview.redd.it/ib6wz5fmip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2be247bbf60e24d867f60ac4e9e19a2848cc7f1a The ERB Safety Lucy Girl Power at WorkTM Safety Glasses are a stylish and practical solution for women who need to wear safety eyewear. As a reviewer, I have been using these glasses for a while now, and they have made a significant difference in my daily life. What sets these safety glasses apart from others is their ultra-lightweight frameless design. The one-piece, hard-coated polycarbonate lens not only offers excellent wraparound protection but also resists scratches perfectly. The 9.5 base curve provides an excellent wraparound structure for side protection, and the integrated nose pad ensures a comfortable, secure fit. A feature that I particularly appreciate is the IPROTECT style, which makes these safety glasses an excellent choice for ladies who want to look stylish while wearing them. The sunglasses come with a 99% UVA and UVB protection, complying with the ANSI Z87.1 standard for high-impact protection. Despite the many positive aspects of these safety glasses, there are a few cons. For instance, they do not have an adjustable temple, and they do not come with anti-fog or anti-scratch features. Moreover, the sunglasses have a clear, smoke, and indoooutdoor mirror lens options, and they are only available in a clear and smoke lens color options. Overall, the ERB Safety Lucy Pink Safety Glasses are a reliable and stylish option for women who need safety eyewear in their daily lives. The combination of comfort, style, and safety features makes these sunglasses a great choice for anyone looking for practical and chic safety eyewear. 🔗Sawfish Camo Safety Glasses - Ultra-Light, Anti-Fog Lenshttps://preview.redd.it/x4p7znymip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a549640aa41835c80e08593d704001c96d5e0108 Imagine diving into the world of safety without sacrificing style. That's what the Bullhead BH261016AF Sawfish Safety Glasses offer. With their sleek camo frame and green mirror anti-fog lens, you'll not only feel protected but also look cool doing it. I've personally used these glasses in various environments, and I must say they deliver on their promise. They're lightweight and comfortable, making them a perfect fit for daily use. The glasses are even great for more adventurous activities like fishing or hiking without fogging up or slipping off your face. However, there's one thing to consider: the size. Though not a deal breaker, they are a bit smaller than expected. Despite this, their durability and affordability make them a great choice for anyone who needs safety glasses without compromising their style. Overall, the Sawfish Safety Glasses are a fantastic addition to any safety gear collection. They're comfortable, lightweight, and stylish, making them a great companion for any outdoor adventure. 🔗Retro Style UV400 Safety Glasses with Foldable Side Shieldshttps://preview.redd.it/6tx71zdnip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7782e78166e681faea9d2f2352ef0d3faae47c74 Just the other day, I found myself in need of protective eyewear for a project I was working on. As a craftsman, I knew the importance of keeping my eyes safe from dust, debris, and other hazards. That's when I stumbled across the Titus Retro Style Safety Glasses. These glasses offered a unique blend of style and function that caught my eye right away. The black impact-resistant ABS frame, UV400 shatterproof polycarbonate lenses, and stainless steel side protection provided the perfect combination of protection and style. I was particularly impressed with the side shields, which easily folded in and out for easy storage. Their unbreakable optical grade polycarbonate lenses resisted glare and scratches, making them a great choice for any task. What really stood out to me was the Titus Quality. The glasses exceeded ANSI Z87.1 and DOT approval standards, and they even met the CE EN166 standard. The clear matte frame gave them a classic, retro look, making them a great conversation starter. However, the Titus Retro Style Safety Glasses aren't without their drawbacks. While I loved the side shields, they did create a slight amount of excess wind around my face. The lenses were also a bit darker than I preferred, which took some getting used to. Overall, I found the Titus Retro Style Safety Glasses to be a great investment. They provided the perfect balance of style, function, and protection, making them a great choice for any project. Despite the minor drawbacks, I can confidently say that these glasses exceeded my expectations and delivered a high-quality solution for keeping my eyes safe. 🔗Sleek and Attractive Square Visor Safety Glasses with Comfort and Stylehttps://preview.redd.it/2acji0unip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f11ef5822e38f309e6f89e4182b4dd065ca60933 Recently, I stumbled upon the Buzz Safety Clear Bomber glasses and decided to give them a try. These safety glasses are not only functional, but they also have a distinct style that makes them stand out. With a matte black frame and clear safety lens, the gray foam lining adds a touch of sophistication. One of the features that I appreciated the most was the removable side shields. They provided me with an extra layer of protection when needed, and I could easily take them off when not necessary. The 100% UVA and UVB protection was another highlight, ensuring that my eyes were well-shielded from the sun's harsh rays. However, I did notice that the ANSI Z87+ safety standards were only met when the side shields were worn. This could be a downside for some users, as it may limit the versatility of the glasses. Overall, I found the Buzz Safety Clear Bomber glasses to be a comfortable and stylish addition to my safety gear collection. Their unique design and added protection make them a worthy consideration for anyone looking to upgrade their safety glasses. 🔗Cute Safety Glasses with Polarized Blue Mirror Lenseshttps://preview.redd.it/685fcavoip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd4135177a6ff1c89b403a1405a7bea60795277f The Sawfish safety glasses from Global Glove are a stylish statement for the younger generation. With an ultra-light, full-frame design, these spectacles feature chiseled lines and sleek curves that are sure to catch the eye. The inset TPR on the nose bridge and temple ends provide a versatile touch, making them adaptable to any environment. One of the standout features of the Sawfish is the polarized precision lenses, which filter out bent light waves, reducing glare, eye fatigue, and reflection off various surfaces such as water, sand, and snow. These glasses also come equipped with Performance Fog Technology, a permanent coating that prevents the formation of condensation on the lenses by absorbing the humidity drops. The Sawfish safety glasses meet ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 Standards and offer 12% visual light transmission. The frames themselves are available in a Tortoise/Black colorway and a full-frame style. According to the reviews, users find these glasses to be comfortable and lightweight, with several users wearing them as regular sunglasses. While some may have desired larger frames, the majority of customers appreciate the affordable price point and the glasses’ ability to stay fog-free. Overall, the Sawfish safety glasses are a solid choice for those seeking stylish, reliable, and comfortable eyewear. 🔗Stylish and Safe: Anti-Fog Safety Glasses with UV Protectionhttps://preview.redd.it/gxvf5sapip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e56ed38c1c8df8cda2edfb5182595a44f055274 I recently had the chance to test out these safety glasses from Columbia Pk CL/AF, and let me tell you - they exceeded my expectations. The clear anti-fog lenses provided excellent visibility, and I felt secure wearing them while partaking in outdoor sports. I particularly enjoyed their design; the pink frames added a touch of femininity without compromising the safety aspect. One of the standout features of these safety glasses was the 100% UV400 protection they offered. Not only were they ideal for reducing eye strain, but they also protected my eyes from harmful UVA/UVB rays. I appreciated the permanent anti-scratch hard coating, which made the lenses more durable and resistant to wear and tear. While there were no negatives to mention, I would have appreciated a wider range of frame colors to choose from. Overall, these safety glasses were both fashionable and functional, making them a great choice for anyone seeking eye protection without sacrificing style. 🔗Eye-catching purple safety glasses for womenhttps://preview.redd.it/4lxfl8mpip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=74b4e987f047bd18cb75e478db85a8be333330df During my recent visit to a construction site, I decided to try the ERB Ella Safety Glasses in purple with a smoke lens. To my surprise, not only did they offer great protection, but their attractive design also caught the attention of my fellow workers. The wraparound nylon frame combined with the soft rubber nose pad and padded rubber temples made them comfortable to wear, even under my hard hat. I appreciated the ANSI Z87.1 Impact certification, which gave me peace of mind knowing that they provided reliable protection. Overall, I loved the combination of style, comfort, and safety offered by these glasses, and I'm grateful that they haven't fallen apart or gotten scratched even after numerous falls. 🔗Attractive Pyramex Intruder Safety Glasses for Indoor and Outdoor Usehttps://preview.redd.it/87fg9l1qip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efcc49ee9c07088a49644deef616f55fc481cc99 I recently tried the Pyramex Intruder Safety Glasses and was surprisingly impressed with their durability and comfort. The full-rim frame provided a secure fit and protection from dust and debris, while the polycarbonate lenses offered impact resistance and UV protection. The transparent, tinted lenses reduced glare and enhanced visibility, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. 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Buyer's GuideNone https://preview.redd.it/5x3ecrprip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eed28b93be27253616a1a92aa759793e053c54a7 FAQAre these safety glasses actually safe to use?Yes, all recommended cute safety glasses in our roundup are designed to provide protection from various hazards such as flying debris, UV radiation, and impact injuries. They meet industry safety standards and provide a fashionable yet functional solution. https://preview.redd.it/aezfxbzrip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e772aaf7cbbef08468d5346f97d9c8d922690b2 Are these cute safety glasses suitable for people with prescription lenses?Some of the cute safety glasses we features do have options for prescription lenses, but it is essential to check each product's details to confirm. It's always best to consult with your optometrist for a proper prescription.What are the specific materials used in making these cute safety glasses?Common materials for cute safety glasses include polycarbonate or glass lenses, and frames made from TR90, stainless steel, or other lightweight, durable materials. It's best to check the product's description for specific details about the materials used. https://preview.redd.it/nvhkpghsip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=454e71e21cc0a3e5f78d9ab3cd3b8a55f133ec6c Are the cute safety glasses designed for specific activities?Yes, some cute safety glasses are specifically designed for certain activities such as cycling, welding, or even gardening. It is essential to consider the intended use when choosing a pair that suits your needs.Are cute safety glasses only available in fun, feminine designs?Absolutely not! There are a variety of designs available to suit different preferences and styles. While our roundup focuses on cute safety glasses, there are also options available in unisex and classic designs for those who prefer a more traditional look. https://preview.redd.it/vhcqwx0tip2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bc93a49af9dd832b25b1f5d0d478990036c6cf26 How do I ensure the best fit when purchasing cute safety glasses?Before making a purchase, it's crucial to measure your current glasses and determine your size. Many brands provide size charts on their websites. Additionally, consider the nose-bridge and temple length when looking for the perfect fit.How do I clean my cute safety glasses to ensure their longevity?To clean your cute safety glasses, simple wet a soft cloth with mild soap and water. Gently lather and wipe the frame and lens. Avoid abrasive cleaning agents like bleach or ammonia, as they may damage the lenses or frame. It's also recommended to use a soft microfiber cloth to dry the lenses to prevent scratches.Can cute safety glasses be repaired if they break or become damaged?While some cute safety glasses come with manufacturer warranties, it may not cover accidental damage. For repairs, contact the manufacturer or visit a local eyeglass shop as they may have the necessary parts.How much should I budget for a good pair of cute safety glasses?The price range for cute safety glasses can vary greatly, depending on the specific features and design. In general, expect to spend anywhere from $20 to $200 for a good pair. It's essential to find a pair that suits your needs and budget without compromising on safety.As an Amazon™ Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. |
2024.05.26 07:22 YakiTapioca A Recipe for Disaster (Part 42) - A Fanfic of Nature of Predators
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My second to last quarter just ended and I'm pretty swamped with final reports right now, but I'm almost through. Not to mention, the next seven weeks are going to be pretty light because of a sudden lack of classes, since I busted my butt finishing up my remaining credits. I've decided to dedicate this time to (among other things) a writing frenzy! I wanna get some serioussss backlogs up because who knows how busy I'm going to be after graduation. (Not to mention, I'm having some troubles getting my VISA renewed, but that's a personal issue).
Anyways, don't wanna bore you with irl stuff. You're here for food and gay furry romance! So as always, I hope you enjoy reading! :D
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Note: This is a Fanfic of the Nature of Predators series by u/Spacepaladin15, that is being reposted from the NatureofPredators sub. Please support the original content.
Thank you to Philodox on discord for proofreading and editing RfD.
Thank you to Pampanope on reddit for the cover art.
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Memory Transcript Subject: Sylvan, Venlil Citizen
Date: [Standardized Human Time]: December 13, 2136
It wasn’t too long that I was absent from the event. Sure, Kenta and I had run into a few hiccups when trying to load up the cart, but that was to be expected. Just looking at the absolute behemoth of an edible pile that he had somehow been able to put together in such a short amount of time, it was a wonder just how we were able to fit them all on there in the first place. And the promise that there was still more yet to be brought out had left me astonished. If I hadn’t already seen the ravenous vortex of Venlil that had so efficiently done away with the other dishes, I might have actually been worried about leftovers.
The food in question, long tubes made out of some kind of starchy form of strayu and packaged in an even starchier husk, were stacked in circular pyramids atop three large trays. As it turned out, this delicacy was the same “Tamale” recipe that I had heard mentioned the day before, the sheer amount being the product of Kenta’s, Julio’s, and even Jeela’s preparations. Unfortunately, I hadn’t received the full explanation of what they were just yet, but Kenta had thankfully given me at least a quick rundown.
Using the same steaming methods as the gyoza, these tamales had been folded carefully over a mix of fresh, crisp vegetables whose scent floated around each in a rich aura. They were hot out of the steamer, a cloud of gaseous water encircling the air above it in a decadent plume. If I hadn’t known better, with the combined mass of the tamales and the sheer volume of steam they collectively released, it might have made me believe the cart itself to be on fire. But of course, there was no such thing, and the cloud that spread into the sky only served to sweeten the air.
As I rolled out the cart, I looked at one last addition to the ensemble. There in a large bowl was something that Kenta hadn’t mentioned in the slightest when explaining the recipe and reasonings behind the tamales, and I had been so urgent to get these out the door that I’d forgotten to press for more details. It had been left in the refrigerator since the day before, which I had only noticed when doing inventory after the fiasco of event preparations.
‘It completely slipped my mind until now… I’m glad I didn’t forget it. Especially after what that note said.’
When I had found the bowl, a small piece of paper had been taped to it. On which, an alien text had been inscribed that required me to use my visual translator to make any sense of. It had been nothing but obvious that holding up the translator informed me that the language was indeed Terran. But what confused me was that instead of the morphemic script that I had come to slightly recognize from Kenta’s subculture, it instead appeared to be something more alphabetic.
On it, the note simply read: “Make sure to serve this with the tamales, my friend. Don’t forget!”
Additionally, below those words had appeared to be an additional message. That one, however, was partially scribbled out. When I scanned that one as well, the translator had taken a long time to process, and its output remained considerably fractured: “**od l*ck wit* y*u* n*w boyf***nd.”
Having not thought much of the note, I had just barely remembered to retrieve the bowl from the fridge and put it on the card while Kenta was off busy grabbing one last batch of tamales before rushing me out the door. I shook it out of my mind for the time being. After all, right now there were more pressing things to manage.
Wheeling the cart back outside, I was hit with the briefest shortage of breath. It had only been a momentary respite, but shifting from the quiet of the empty diner to the lively atmosphere of a crowded party would never not be a shock. By now, enough people had shown up that the event could already be considered at max capacity. People from all over filled the street, chatting and conversing in a rambunctious, lively gusto.
To see so many people take the time out of their schedules and come down to my family’s diner just because of the promise of our food… It was almost overwhelming, enough to bring a brief tear to the eye reminiscent of my reaction to that very first wave of people Ginro had brought soon after I first hired Kenta. I took a moment just to bask in it. A feeling I had all but begun to grow almost too accustomed to. A feeling of success, and of pride. And as I once again continued pushing the cart past the crowds of chatty party attendees, along with the piles of wool that it entailed, that feeling continued to pour into me. It was all almost too much to hear at once.
“Hey Sylvan! Great party!” said one voice to my left.
“Amazing food as always, Lackadaisy guy! I can’t get enough of these little strayu things in the salad!” piped another to my right.
“Ooooo! What are those things?” asked one more as I passed by them, who excitedly eyed up the stack of tamales I was delivering.
I laughed along and chatted with people on my way to one of the tables, chuckling at their jokes and accepting their praise on behalf of both myself and the mysterious ‘Kahnta.’ With each pleased guest and hungry gaze, I couldn’t help but feel myself bloom in sheer joy at the tidal wave of enthusiastic complements.
That was… until one otherwise innocent comment sounded from behind me.
“So you’re telling me this was all made by one chef?” they asked one of their friends, not intending me to hear as they talked with their mouth half stuffed with food. Looking closer, I could see that they were two Gojids chatting with one another. “Better enjoy it now, I guess. Not gonna be long before some fancy place in the Capital comes and recruits them. Honestly, if the owner of this place wants to have any hope of holding on to them, he better marry them or something.”
The partygoer’s friend laughed, “Well if he doesn’t, then I will! Can you imagine eating something like this every day?”
I couldn’t help but bloom even more overhearing this. But this was a different kind of feeling. Not the gentle warmth of normal delight, but instead the torrid heat of surging emotions. And as I began nonchalantly transferring the steaming tamales to one of the tables, these emotions steamed to the surface of my mind as well.
It was a mix of things that fueled my silent reaction. At first, the implication of asking Kenta into matehood was… well it was certainly something. I was sure the two Gojids were simply making innocent remarks, assuming that the lie about my precious chef being another, completely ordinary Venlil was correct, not realizing in the slightest just how much the implication left me flummoxed. And in normal circumstances, it would have been just that, a simple perk of the ears and a brief daydream of something so far away from me. But after yesterday, things had changed.
The previous day had been eventful, to say the least. I had eaten some amazing pastries and listened to an even more amazing alien melody. Only for it all to come crashing down when my idiotic brain forgot to turn back on the translator before pouring out my entire menagerie of pent up emotions before Kenta. My one chance to seize an opportunity at the height of a courageous high, only to tumble and fall flat during the execution. Even worse, I couldn’t muster the bravery to say the same thing even one more time.
I had completely blown it. And needless to say, I wasn’t exactly keen on remembering my mistakes from that previous day, especially during such a pivotal event. The only mediocre condolence I could take from the whole ordeal being the opportunity of waking up next to Kenta that same day. But even that was cut much too short by the mad rush to get preparation ready for the event.
‘I can still remember how warm he felt… And how peaceful he looked when his eyes were closed…’ I thought to myself in deep reminiscence.
“Hey there Sylvan!”
‘I can’t get it out of my head…! Ugh! I wish it wasn’t just a one time thing…’
“Sylvan?”
‘If we really were together romantically, then maybe I could see that every day… But that’s not–’
“Sylvan!!”
The moment my attention was pulled away from my internal thoughts, I audibly bleated out a high pitched noise of surprise, “Eeep!”
My ears jutted up and my tail straightened like a steel beam. My attention shifted over to my side, where I soon realized Fehnel now stood. She had her paws held firmly on her hips, with a head tilted to the side in a half puzzled, half amused demeanor. Then, when I realized I had been staring a little too long without saying anything, I quickly turned my attention back to the table.
“Oh hey Fehnel!” I stuttered out. “Didn’t see you there!”
“Sorry if I sneaked up on ya, hun,” Fehnel replied with a single wag of the tail. “Got somethin’ on the mind, I’m assumin’?”
The image of Kenta and I huddled together on my couch flashed through my mind once more, before I quickly shook it away. “Uhhhh… Nope! I’m just really focussing here on getting these tamales out.”
“‘Tamales,’ huh?” Fehnel chuckled. “Well between this and that ‘gee-yo-za’ stuff, I think I’m startin’ to give up on predictin’ what crazy name Kahnta’ll come up with next.”
“Yeah it’s pretty… uh–” I coughed awkwardly, clearing something nonexistent out of my throat. “It’s pretty creative.”
“You can say that again. By this point, they’re startin’ to sound almost alien!” Fehnel laughed again, and I cringed as the irony fell over deaf ears. “But hey, who am I to judge! I mean, to me all the stuff on this planet is alien, so what’s another ‘Tamale’ added to the pile, yeah?”
I had to stop my ears and head from shrinking too far towards the ground.
“Anyways, I’m assumin’ these are the actual foods I requested Kahnta to create, right?” Fehnel continued to ask.
“Uh– Y-yeah, yes they ar–” I tried to say before one of Fehnel’s paws suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist.
“Great!” she beamed, before dragging me away into one of the many chatty piles of fluffy wool that constituted our event.
It didn’t take more than a few rushed steps before I was suddenly pulled in front of another Yotul and Venlil, who I did well to recognize immediately. It seemed as though Kadew and Vuilen had arrived, the former of which looking just about as nervous as I had expected. Vuilen, on the other paw, was anything but. Her tail was wagging furiously, almost impossibly giddy with enthusiasm as her ears shifted around a swivel, likely allowing every new smell and sound to pull her attention to and fro.
Fehnel dragged me forward and plopped me down right in front of the two, before saying, “Tell them what you just told me.”
Vuilen leaned forward, bestowing me her full attention, while Kadew remained stationary, only doing as much as to straighten a single, skeptical ear.
“W-well, uh…” I stumbled, before quickly getting my act together. “Among a number of new strayu recipes, the main entree for today’s event is called ‘Tamales.’”
“Oooo!” Vuilen beamed. “What’s that, Lackadaisy guy? It sounds awesome!”
“According to Kahnta, it’s a mix of vegetables folded in a spongy strayu wrap and steamed inside a starchy husk. And…” I tilted my ears towards Kadew, “It’s supposedly a specialty that is designed to be eaten during times of celebration with family. Regardless of whether they be by blood, or found.”
Kadew huffed a short breath, before folding her arms. But before she got the chance to speak, Vuilen’s enthused voice overtook it. The black and white wooled Venlil leaned into her smaller Yotul partner and pulled them into a strong hug.
“Hear that, Dew? It’s like this food was MADE for your Running Day!” Vuilen piped, bouncing up and down like a cub and bringing the now deeply blooming Kadew along for the ride. “Well… I guess it literally was, but you know what I mean! Either way, there’s like a million new kinds of strayu foods here! Can you believe that? I think I even saw some sylvanas over on that table there! Can you even begin to wonder what they taste like? Oh my Sol, I’m so excited!”
Kadew, whose previously unimpressed countenance now had more steam coming out of her ears than the tamales off in the distance, stuttered out her response. “Uh– Uhmm– That’s… that’s great…”
“I know right!” Vuilen squealed. “This is going to be the BEST Running Day ever! I’m so happy for you!”
I couldn’t help but giggle out in response to this, something which Fehnel had long since been doing on her own volition. Unfortunately for Kadew, this did nothing to ease the sheer amount of embarrassment already flying around her dazed face.
“Of course, all guests are free to eat their fill, especially those invited by the Claw’s Lady herself,” I said, before gesturing a paw towards Fehnel. “All of it has been covered in advance by our generous sponsor.”
Vuilen retreated from her hug just as quickly as it had started, twisting her attention back towards Fehnel and I. “Really? I still can’t believe you’re just giving away all this for free!”
She walked towards the two of us, leaving a still dazed Kadew behind her, before rushing to give Fehnel herself another brief hug. “Thank you so much again for organizing something like this, ma’am.”
Fehnel returned the embrace, having nothing but pure pride and joy radiate through her voice. “Of course, hun. I hope you and my daughter enjoy your date.”
“Oh we will!” Vuilen replied quickly, pulling back once again. Just as fast, she began making a beeline for the buffet tables, almost disappearing into the crowd of fellow Venlil fluff before her voice was heard once more. “I’ll be back in a jiffy, Dew! I just gotta try some of this stuff before it’s all gone!”
Before she was out of range, I twisted around, raised a paw up to my mouth, and stood up high to help carry my voice after her. “Don’t forget to save room for dessert!”
Turning back, I joined Fehnel once again in her chuckling. It didn’t take long for Fehnel to comment on the situation now that Vuilen was out of earshot.
She leaned over and gently nudged me in the leg with her tail. “She’s a riot, ain’t she? Does my daughter know how to pick em’, or what?”
“Oh yeah, I’ve seen them together in the diner all the time. Honestly, I’ve been wondering how long it was going to take to knit that scarf,” I commented, referencing one of the more common and romantic Venlil courtship rituals.
“Guys I can HEAR YOU!” Kadew yelped, now seemingly freed of her hug-induced daze.
“Oh hun don’t you worry yourself about us,” Fehnel replied, a slight hum to her voice. “Us adults can’t help but watch the young love bloom.”
“That guy’s barely older than I am!” Kadew shot back, raising a finger to point at me.
I raised two paws in defence, much too similar to the way Kenta does when he’s been caught teasing me. “Hey, doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it when I see it. You’re doing great, by the way.”
The teasing, however, had been lost on her. I had meant it in good will, but my words had only served to aggravate Kadew, and she huffed out an annoyed breath. Then, she started stomping rapidly in place, her trained legs moving in a blur like overclocked turbines. From even the briefest glance, I could tell that something had been pulling away at her tail, and our comments were doing it no favours.
“Uhh… are you alright?” I asked tentatively.
“ARGH!” she groaned back. “No! No, I am very much NOT alright! Running Day’s here already, I feel like a pile of speh, my fur’s a mess, and I’m FREAKING THE BRAHK OUT!!”
‘Quite the vocabulary on this one, apparently,’ I judged silently, wondering how my mother would have reacted to hearing me talk like that.
“Honey, Vuilen’s not gonna care about any of that silly stuff,” Fehnel said jovially. “Why, I remember bein’ covered in dried mud the first time I went on a date with your father. We went down to the creek together and took turns tossing water at each other. Then, we went down to the local actin’ house and watched a show. But even after all of that, I still had a bit of dried mud crusted on my fur, but your father didn’t mind. Said it gave me ‘character,’ of all the silly things.”
“Isn’t dried mud just dirt?” I asked.
“Naw, see, dirt is sand, silt, and clay, but it only becomes mud when it has a higher content of clay.”
“So then what happens when dirt gets wet but doesn’t have a lot of clay?”
“Wet dirt.”
“Ah.”
“WHAT ARE YOU BRAHKING TALKING ABOUT!?” Kadew squealed in a panic, her stomping had not ceased in the slightest. She threw her paws up and pulled her ears down over her eyes. “Dirt and mud! That’s all that we Yotul talk about apparently! And trains! Can’t forget the brahking trains! Stars above, that’s all people ever say!”
“Trains are cool,” I said indifferently.
“I don’t care!” she huffed, before turning to Fehnel. “Mom. What if Vuilen comes back and sees you talking about dirt? She’ll just see that it’s the only thing a primitive uplift is capable of understanding! Do you really want to prove her right?”
Fehnel looked shocked, but replied nonetheless. “Has… she said something like that before?”
“Well…! No…! But…” Kadew stomped again. “She might, okay!? Especially if she sees you actively talking about it!”
“To be fair, I asked,” I replied. “Besides, Vuilen seems like a smart girl. She wouldn’t make a rash assumption about the Yotul based off some random remark. Relationships are stronger than that. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“What do you know about it!?” Kadew shot back, releasing her ears and letting them perk up to max height. “Unless I missed something, I don’t see you dating any other Venlil in that restaurant of yours! How do you know if any of this is fine!?”
Fehnel’s voice soured immediately. “Kadew! That is no way to talk to our new business partner! He was just tryin’ to help! Apologize this instant!”
Realizing something had shifted without my notice, I tried to mellow my voice in an attempt to calm the situation down. “Oh, that won’t be necessar–”
“No,” Fehnel interrupted. “I refuse to let my daughter be rude to anyone. We might not have much, but we at least have manners.” She turned her attention back to her daughter. “Kadew, if you have a problem, then I want you to tell me about it. If there’s somethin’ we can do to help, then–”
“No no, it’s not…” Kadew replied, bringing two fingers up to pinch the bridge of her snout. “It’s not that…”
“It’s not what?” Fehnel tried to guess. “It’s with Vuilen, isn’t it? You’re afraid she’ll not be able to appreciate the Runnin’ Day? Listen, I know this isn’t Leirn, but Sylvan and I are kickin’ our hardest to make it special for you regardless. Sure, it’s not the most traditional, but I’m sure Vuilen won’t mind! I understand that livin’ on a new planet is taxin’, the gravity here especially, but as foreigners it’s our job to show these nice people where we come from. We’re Yotul, and nothin’ will change that!”
“Mom…” Kadew grunted back, before taking a deep breath.
Before she could speak, Fehnel continued with a proud wag to her tail. “Do you remember what a Runnin’ Day is all about, Kadew? It’s about all the cubs that came of age that year comin’ together and sayin’ that they’ll be fine by themselves. But it’s also about family. It’s about knowin’ that no matter where you run off to, I’ll be there to support you. But you’re makin’ it real hard to do that every time you don’t tell me what the matter is! And if you don’t, how can I make this Runnin’ Day the best it can–”
“But it’s not a Running Day, is it!” Kadew yelled, instantly shutting Fehnel up.
Her mother stared forward blankly, stumbling over a few unclear words. “Wh-what do you…”
“It’s not a Running Day!” Kadew repeated. “It’s not! I mean look around you!” She lifted her arms up dramatically, motioning towards the crowds of unaware Venlil around us. “We’re the only Yotul here! We’re the only two people that even know what a Running Day is, and I’m pretty sure we’re the only people that care!”
I tried to speak, “Umm… I know what a Running Day i–” but the look of animosity Kadew immediately shot my way gave me Jeela flashbacks, and I shut up just as quick.
“Kadew… Hun, that’s not true,” Fehnel tried to defend. “I’m sure they’d be willing to open their minds if we just–”
“What? Tell them all about how great it is to come from an Uplift planet? Talk about brahking DIRT some more!? Careful there Mom, don’t want to spoil their meal!” Kadew continued her berating. “Because you and I both know that the only reason anyone even showed up to this thing is because of that guy’s food!” Another finger was shot out in my direction. “Even you know there’s nothing special about your stupid Uplift culture! There’s nothing here even remotely related to the Yotul! It’s all just Venlil decorations and Venlil food, for our solely Venlil guests! And look!!” She pointed directly at the statue Jeela had placed as the centerpiece. “They have a statue of a Venlil as the center of everything! It’s the star attraction, not us! They couldn’t give a damn about me or Running Day or our culture or… or anything!”
Fehnel appeared to be on the verge of tears.
“And now I’ve got to find some kind of excuse for all this!” Kadew added. “It’s bad enough I had to drag Vuilen into pretending to care about the Yotul. But now the entire town is a part of it too! They’re laughing at us, Mom! Just like at school! Just like everywhere else I go! They’re laughing at us and you’re proud about it!”
From the verge of tears, Fehnel’s voice had croaked into a soft weep. A glimmering stream of water had begun to crawl down the ridge of her rust-coloured face.
“I hate being born a Yotul! I hate this gross, rusty fur! I hate everyone thinking I’m primitive and that I must be in love with trains and steam engines! And I hate you trying to push your culture on me! Cause guess what? I’ve never even seen Leirn! It’s NOT my home and you need to stop pretending it is!”
Fehnel stood simply aghast, the occasional choked-up garble of sounds emerging from her throat. Meanwhile, I stood speechless as well. Obviously, I had accidentally walked in on and been exposed to something that had been going on for quite a while. But even worse, it seems as though I had done nothing but fanned the flame of this long-fueled fire. Instinctively, I began taking a few steps back to give the two their space, which went unnoticed by either party.
Fehnel swallowed, her eyes still welling tears. “I… I…” she tried to say, but no words would form. Instead, she choked on her own voice. And Kadew, who stood waiting for a response, sucked in heavy loads of air in the fleeting hope to catch her breath.
But instead of an answer, all that any of us heard was a scream.
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submitted by YakiTapioca to HFY [link] [comments]
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My second to last quarter just ended and I'm pretty swamped with final reports right now, but I'm almost through. Not to mention, the next seven weeks are going to be pretty light because of a sudden lack of classes, since I busted my butt finishing up my remaining credits. I've decided to dedicate this time to (among other things) a writing frenzy! I wanna get some serioussss backlogs up because who knows how busy I'm going to be after graduation. (Not to mention, I'm having some troubles getting my VISA renewed, but that's a personal issue).
Anyways, don't wanna bore you with irl stuff. You're here for food and gay furry romance! So as always, I hope you enjoy reading! :D
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Note: This is a Fanfic of the Nature of Predators series by u/Spacepaladin15, that is being reposted from the NatureofPredators sub. Please support the original content.
Thank you to Philodox on discord for proofreading and editing RfD.
Thank you to Pampanope on reddit for the cover art.
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Memory Transcript Subject: Sylvan, Venlil Citizen
Date: [Standardized Human Time]: December 13, 2136
It wasn’t too long that I was absent from the event. Sure, Kenta and I had run into a few hiccups when trying to load up the cart, but that was to be expected. Just looking at the absolute behemoth of an edible pile that he had somehow been able to put together in such a short amount of time, it was a wonder just how we were able to fit them all on there in the first place. And the promise that there was still more yet to be brought out had left me astonished. If I hadn’t already seen the ravenous vortex of Venlil that had so efficiently done away with the other dishes, I might have actually been worried about leftovers.
The food in question, long tubes made out of some kind of starchy form of strayu and packaged in an even starchier husk, were stacked in circular pyramids atop three large trays. As it turned out, this delicacy was the same “Tamale” recipe that I had heard mentioned the day before, the sheer amount being the product of Kenta’s, Julio’s, and even Jeela’s preparations. Unfortunately, I hadn’t received the full explanation of what they were just yet, but Kenta had thankfully given me at least a quick rundown.
Using the same steaming methods as the gyoza, these tamales had been folded carefully over a mix of fresh, crisp vegetables whose scent floated around each in a rich aura. They were hot out of the steamer, a cloud of gaseous water encircling the air above it in a decadent plume. If I hadn’t known better, with the combined mass of the tamales and the sheer volume of steam they collectively released, it might have made me believe the cart itself to be on fire. But of course, there was no such thing, and the cloud that spread into the sky only served to sweeten the air.
As I rolled out the cart, I looked at one last addition to the ensemble. There in a large bowl was something that Kenta hadn’t mentioned in the slightest when explaining the recipe and reasonings behind the tamales, and I had been so urgent to get these out the door that I’d forgotten to press for more details. It had been left in the refrigerator since the day before, which I had only noticed when doing inventory after the fiasco of event preparations.
‘It completely slipped my mind until now… I’m glad I didn’t forget it. Especially after what that note said.’
When I had found the bowl, a small piece of paper had been taped to it. On which, an alien text had been inscribed that required me to use my visual translator to make any sense of. It had been nothing but obvious that holding up the translator informed me that the language was indeed Terran. But what confused me was that instead of the morphemic script that I had come to slightly recognize from Kenta’s subculture, it instead appeared to be something more alphabetic.
On it, the note simply read: “Make sure to serve this with the tamales, my friend. Don’t forget!”
Additionally, below those words had appeared to be an additional message. That one, however, was partially scribbled out. When I scanned that one as well, the translator had taken a long time to process, and its output remained considerably fractured: “**od l*ck wit* y*u* n*w boyf***nd.”
Having not thought much of the note, I had just barely remembered to retrieve the bowl from the fridge and put it on the card while Kenta was off busy grabbing one last batch of tamales before rushing me out the door. I shook it out of my mind for the time being. After all, right now there were more pressing things to manage.
Wheeling the cart back outside, I was hit with the briefest shortage of breath. It had only been a momentary respite, but shifting from the quiet of the empty diner to the lively atmosphere of a crowded party would never not be a shock. By now, enough people had shown up that the event could already be considered at max capacity. People from all over filled the street, chatting and conversing in a rambunctious, lively gusto.
To see so many people take the time out of their schedules and come down to my family’s diner just because of the promise of our food… It was almost overwhelming, enough to bring a brief tear to the eye reminiscent of my reaction to that very first wave of people Ginro had brought soon after I first hired Kenta. I took a moment just to bask in it. A feeling I had all but begun to grow almost too accustomed to. A feeling of success, and of pride. And as I once again continued pushing the cart past the crowds of chatty party attendees, along with the piles of wool that it entailed, that feeling continued to pour into me. It was all almost too much to hear at once.
“Hey Sylvan! Great party!” said one voice to my left.
“Amazing food as always, Lackadaisy guy! I can’t get enough of these little strayu things in the salad!” piped another to my right.
“Ooooo! What are those things?” asked one more as I passed by them, who excitedly eyed up the stack of tamales I was delivering.
I laughed along and chatted with people on my way to one of the tables, chuckling at their jokes and accepting their praise on behalf of both myself and the mysterious ‘Kahnta.’ With each pleased guest and hungry gaze, I couldn’t help but feel myself bloom in sheer joy at the tidal wave of enthusiastic complements.
That was… until one otherwise innocent comment sounded from behind me.
“So you’re telling me this was all made by one chef?” they asked one of their friends, not intending me to hear as they talked with their mouth half stuffed with food. Looking closer, I could see that they were two Gojids chatting with one another. “Better enjoy it now, I guess. Not gonna be long before some fancy place in the Capital comes and recruits them. Honestly, if the owner of this place wants to have any hope of holding on to them, he better marry them or something.”
The partygoer’s friend laughed, “Well if he doesn’t, then I will! Can you imagine eating something like this every day?”
I couldn’t help but bloom even more overhearing this. But this was a different kind of feeling. Not the gentle warmth of normal delight, but instead the torrid heat of surging emotions. And as I began nonchalantly transferring the steaming tamales to one of the tables, these emotions steamed to the surface of my mind as well.
It was a mix of things that fueled my silent reaction. At first, the implication of asking Kenta into matehood was… well it was certainly something. I was sure the two Gojids were simply making innocent remarks, assuming that the lie about my precious chef being another, completely ordinary Venlil was correct, not realizing in the slightest just how much the implication left me flummoxed. And in normal circumstances, it would have been just that, a simple perk of the ears and a brief daydream of something so far away from me. But after yesterday, things had changed.
The previous day had been eventful, to say the least. I had eaten some amazing pastries and listened to an even more amazing alien melody. Only for it all to come crashing down when my idiotic brain forgot to turn back on the translator before pouring out my entire menagerie of pent up emotions before Kenta. My one chance to seize an opportunity at the height of a courageous high, only to tumble and fall flat during the execution. Even worse, I couldn’t muster the bravery to say the same thing even one more time.
I had completely blown it. And needless to say, I wasn’t exactly keen on remembering my mistakes from that previous day, especially during such a pivotal event. The only mediocre condolence I could take from the whole ordeal being the opportunity of waking up next to Kenta that same day. But even that was cut much too short by the mad rush to get preparation ready for the event.
‘I can still remember how warm he felt… And how peaceful he looked when his eyes were closed…’ I thought to myself in deep reminiscence.
“Hey there Sylvan!”
‘I can’t get it out of my head…! Ugh! I wish it wasn’t just a one time thing…’
“Sylvan?”
‘If we really were together romantically, then maybe I could see that every day… But that’s not–’
“Sylvan!!”
The moment my attention was pulled away from my internal thoughts, I audibly bleated out a high pitched noise of surprise, “Eeep!”
My ears jutted up and my tail straightened like a steel beam. My attention shifted over to my side, where I soon realized Fehnel now stood. She had her paws held firmly on her hips, with a head tilted to the side in a half puzzled, half amused demeanor. Then, when I realized I had been staring a little too long without saying anything, I quickly turned my attention back to the table.
“Oh hey Fehnel!” I stuttered out. “Didn’t see you there!”
“Sorry if I sneaked up on ya, hun,” Fehnel replied with a single wag of the tail. “Got somethin’ on the mind, I’m assumin’?”
The image of Kenta and I huddled together on my couch flashed through my mind once more, before I quickly shook it away. “Uhhhh… Nope! I’m just really focussing here on getting these tamales out.”
“‘Tamales,’ huh?” Fehnel chuckled. “Well between this and that ‘gee-yo-za’ stuff, I think I’m startin’ to give up on predictin’ what crazy name Kahnta’ll come up with next.”
“Yeah it’s pretty… uh–” I coughed awkwardly, clearing something nonexistent out of my throat. “It’s pretty creative.”
“You can say that again. By this point, they’re startin’ to sound almost alien!” Fehnel laughed again, and I cringed as the irony fell over deaf ears. “But hey, who am I to judge! I mean, to me all the stuff on this planet is alien, so what’s another ‘Tamale’ added to the pile, yeah?”
I had to stop my ears and head from shrinking too far towards the ground.
“Anyways, I’m assumin’ these are the actual foods I requested Kahnta to create, right?” Fehnel continued to ask.
“Uh– Y-yeah, yes they ar–” I tried to say before one of Fehnel’s paws suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist.
“Great!” she beamed, before dragging me away into one of the many chatty piles of fluffy wool that constituted our event.
It didn’t take more than a few rushed steps before I was suddenly pulled in front of another Yotul and Venlil, who I did well to recognize immediately. It seemed as though Kadew and Vuilen had arrived, the former of which looking just about as nervous as I had expected. Vuilen, on the other paw, was anything but. Her tail was wagging furiously, almost impossibly giddy with enthusiasm as her ears shifted around a swivel, likely allowing every new smell and sound to pull her attention to and fro.
Fehnel dragged me forward and plopped me down right in front of the two, before saying, “Tell them what you just told me.”
Vuilen leaned forward, bestowing me her full attention, while Kadew remained stationary, only doing as much as to straighten a single, skeptical ear.
“W-well, uh…” I stumbled, before quickly getting my act together. “Among a number of new strayu recipes, the main entree for today’s event is called ‘Tamales.’”
“Oooo!” Vuilen beamed. “What’s that, Lackadaisy guy? It sounds awesome!”
“According to Kahnta, it’s a mix of vegetables folded in a spongy strayu wrap and steamed inside a starchy husk. And…” I tilted my ears towards Kadew, “It’s supposedly a specialty that is designed to be eaten during times of celebration with family. Regardless of whether they be by blood, or found.”
Kadew huffed a short breath, before folding her arms. But before she got the chance to speak, Vuilen’s enthused voice overtook it. The black and white wooled Venlil leaned into her smaller Yotul partner and pulled them into a strong hug.
“Hear that, Dew? It’s like this food was MADE for your Running Day!” Vuilen piped, bouncing up and down like a cub and bringing the now deeply blooming Kadew along for the ride. “Well… I guess it literally was, but you know what I mean! Either way, there’s like a million new kinds of strayu foods here! Can you believe that? I think I even saw some sylvanas over on that table there! Can you even begin to wonder what they taste like? Oh my Sol, I’m so excited!”
Kadew, whose previously unimpressed countenance now had more steam coming out of her ears than the tamales off in the distance, stuttered out her response. “Uh– Uhmm– That’s… that’s great…”
“I know right!” Vuilen squealed. “This is going to be the BEST Running Day ever! I’m so happy for you!”
I couldn’t help but giggle out in response to this, something which Fehnel had long since been doing on her own volition. Unfortunately for Kadew, this did nothing to ease the sheer amount of embarrassment already flying around her dazed face.
“Of course, all guests are free to eat their fill, especially those invited by the Claw’s Lady herself,” I said, before gesturing a paw towards Fehnel. “All of it has been covered in advance by our generous sponsor.”
Vuilen retreated from her hug just as quickly as it had started, twisting her attention back towards Fehnel and I. “Really? I still can’t believe you’re just giving away all this for free!”
She walked towards the two of us, leaving a still dazed Kadew behind her, before rushing to give Fehnel herself another brief hug. “Thank you so much again for organizing something like this, ma’am.”
Fehnel returned the embrace, having nothing but pure pride and joy radiate through her voice. “Of course, hun. I hope you and my daughter enjoy your date.”
“Oh we will!” Vuilen replied quickly, pulling back once again. Just as fast, she began making a beeline for the buffet tables, almost disappearing into the crowd of fellow Venlil fluff before her voice was heard once more. “I’ll be back in a jiffy, Dew! I just gotta try some of this stuff before it’s all gone!”
Before she was out of range, I twisted around, raised a paw up to my mouth, and stood up high to help carry my voice after her. “Don’t forget to save room for dessert!”
Turning back, I joined Fehnel once again in her chuckling. It didn’t take long for Fehnel to comment on the situation now that Vuilen was out of earshot.
She leaned over and gently nudged me in the leg with her tail. “She’s a riot, ain’t she? Does my daughter know how to pick em’, or what?”
“Oh yeah, I’ve seen them together in the diner all the time. Honestly, I’ve been wondering how long it was going to take to knit that scarf,” I commented, referencing one of the more common and romantic Venlil courtship rituals.
“Guys I can HEAR YOU!” Kadew yelped, now seemingly freed of her hug-induced daze.
“Oh hun don’t you worry yourself about us,” Fehnel replied, a slight hum to her voice. “Us adults can’t help but watch the young love bloom.”
“That guy’s barely older than I am!” Kadew shot back, raising a finger to point at me.
I raised two paws in defence, much too similar to the way Kenta does when he’s been caught teasing me. “Hey, doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it when I see it. You’re doing great, by the way.”
The teasing, however, had been lost on her. I had meant it in good will, but my words had only served to aggravate Kadew, and she huffed out an annoyed breath. Then, she started stomping rapidly in place, her trained legs moving in a blur like overclocked turbines. From even the briefest glance, I could tell that something had been pulling away at her tail, and our comments were doing it no favours.
“Uhh… are you alright?” I asked tentatively.
“ARGH!” she groaned back. “No! No, I am very much NOT alright! Running Day’s here already, I feel like a pile of speh, my fur’s a mess, and I’m FREAKING THE BRAHK OUT!!”
‘Quite the vocabulary on this one, apparently,’ I judged silently, wondering how my mother would have reacted to hearing me talk like that.
“Honey, Vuilen’s not gonna care about any of that silly stuff,” Fehnel said jovially. “Why, I remember bein’ covered in dried mud the first time I went on a date with your father. We went down to the creek together and took turns tossing water at each other. Then, we went down to the local actin’ house and watched a show. But even after all of that, I still had a bit of dried mud crusted on my fur, but your father didn’t mind. Said it gave me ‘character,’ of all the silly things.”
“Isn’t dried mud just dirt?” I asked.
“Naw, see, dirt is sand, silt, and clay, but it only becomes mud when it has a higher content of clay.”
“So then what happens when dirt gets wet but doesn’t have a lot of clay?”
“Wet dirt.”
“Ah.”
“WHAT ARE YOU BRAHKING TALKING ABOUT!?” Kadew squealed in a panic, her stomping had not ceased in the slightest. She threw her paws up and pulled her ears down over her eyes. “Dirt and mud! That’s all that we Yotul talk about apparently! And trains! Can’t forget the brahking trains! Stars above, that’s all people ever say!”
“Trains are cool,” I said indifferently.
“I don’t care!” she huffed, before turning to Fehnel. “Mom. What if Vuilen comes back and sees you talking about dirt? She’ll just see that it’s the only thing a primitive uplift is capable of understanding! Do you really want to prove her right?”
Fehnel looked shocked, but replied nonetheless. “Has… she said something like that before?”
“Well…! No…! But…” Kadew stomped again. “She might, okay!? Especially if she sees you actively talking about it!”
“To be fair, I asked,” I replied. “Besides, Vuilen seems like a smart girl. She wouldn’t make a rash assumption about the Yotul based off some random remark. Relationships are stronger than that. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“What do you know about it!?” Kadew shot back, releasing her ears and letting them perk up to max height. “Unless I missed something, I don’t see you dating any other Venlil in that restaurant of yours! How do you know if any of this is fine!?”
Fehnel’s voice soured immediately. “Kadew! That is no way to talk to our new business partner! He was just tryin’ to help! Apologize this instant!”
Realizing something had shifted without my notice, I tried to mellow my voice in an attempt to calm the situation down. “Oh, that won’t be necessar–”
“No,” Fehnel interrupted. “I refuse to let my daughter be rude to anyone. We might not have much, but we at least have manners.” She turned her attention back to her daughter. “Kadew, if you have a problem, then I want you to tell me about it. If there’s somethin’ we can do to help, then–”
“No no, it’s not…” Kadew replied, bringing two fingers up to pinch the bridge of her snout. “It’s not that…”
“It’s not what?” Fehnel tried to guess. “It’s with Vuilen, isn’t it? You’re afraid she’ll not be able to appreciate the Runnin’ Day? Listen, I know this isn’t Leirn, but Sylvan and I are kickin’ our hardest to make it special for you regardless. Sure, it’s not the most traditional, but I’m sure Vuilen won’t mind! I understand that livin’ on a new planet is taxin’, the gravity here especially, but as foreigners it’s our job to show these nice people where we come from. We’re Yotul, and nothin’ will change that!”
“Mom…” Kadew grunted back, before taking a deep breath.
Before she could speak, Fehnel continued with a proud wag to her tail. “Do you remember what a Runnin’ Day is all about, Kadew? It’s about all the cubs that came of age that year comin’ together and sayin’ that they’ll be fine by themselves. But it’s also about family. It’s about knowin’ that no matter where you run off to, I’ll be there to support you. But you’re makin’ it real hard to do that every time you don’t tell me what the matter is! And if you don’t, how can I make this Runnin’ Day the best it can–”
“But it’s not a Running Day, is it!” Kadew yelled, instantly shutting Fehnel up.
Her mother stared forward blankly, stumbling over a few unclear words. “Wh-what do you…”
“It’s not a Running Day!” Kadew repeated. “It’s not! I mean look around you!” She lifted her arms up dramatically, motioning towards the crowds of unaware Venlil around us. “We’re the only Yotul here! We’re the only two people that even know what a Running Day is, and I’m pretty sure we’re the only people that care!”
I tried to speak, “Umm… I know what a Running Day i–” but the look of animosity Kadew immediately shot my way gave me Jeela flashbacks, and I shut up just as quick.
“Kadew… Hun, that’s not true,” Fehnel tried to defend. “I’m sure they’d be willing to open their minds if we just–”
“What? Tell them all about how great it is to come from an Uplift planet? Talk about brahking DIRT some more!? Careful there Mom, don’t want to spoil their meal!” Kadew continued her berating. “Because you and I both know that the only reason anyone even showed up to this thing is because of that guy’s food!” Another finger was shot out in my direction. “Even you know there’s nothing special about your stupid Uplift culture! There’s nothing here even remotely related to the Yotul! It’s all just Venlil decorations and Venlil food, for our solely Venlil guests! And look!!” She pointed directly at the statue Jeela had placed as the centerpiece. “They have a statue of a Venlil as the center of everything! It’s the star attraction, not us! They couldn’t give a damn about me or Running Day or our culture or… or anything!”
Fehnel appeared to be on the verge of tears.
“And now I’ve got to find some kind of excuse for all this!” Kadew added. “It’s bad enough I had to drag Vuilen into pretending to care about the Yotul. But now the entire town is a part of it too! They’re laughing at us, Mom! Just like at school! Just like everywhere else I go! They’re laughing at us and you’re proud about it!”
From the verge of tears, Fehnel’s voice had croaked into a soft weep. A glimmering stream of water had begun to crawl down the ridge of her rust-coloured face.
“I hate being born a Yotul! I hate this gross, rusty fur! I hate everyone thinking I’m primitive and that I must be in love with trains and steam engines! And I hate you trying to push your culture on me! Cause guess what? I’ve never even seen Leirn! It’s NOT my home and you need to stop pretending it is!”
Fehnel stood simply aghast, the occasional choked-up garble of sounds emerging from her throat. Meanwhile, I stood speechless as well. Obviously, I had accidentally walked in on and been exposed to something that had been going on for quite a while. But even worse, it seems as though I had done nothing but fanned the flame of this long-fueled fire. Instinctively, I began taking a few steps back to give the two their space, which went unnoticed by either party.
Fehnel swallowed, her eyes still welling tears. “I… I…” she tried to say, but no words would form. Instead, she choked on her own voice. And Kadew, who stood waiting for a response, sucked in heavy loads of air in the fleeting hope to catch her breath.
But instead of an answer, all that any of us heard was a scream.
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2024.05.26 07:20 YakiTapioca NoP: A Recipe for Disaster (Part 42)
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My second to last quarter just ended and I'm pretty swamped with final reports right now, but I'm almost through. Not to mention, the next seven weeks are going to be pretty light because of a sudden lack of classes, since I busted my butt finishing up my remaining credits. I've decided to dedicate this time to (among other things) a writing frenzy! I wanna get some serioussss backlogs up because who knows how busy I'm going to be after graduation. (Not to mention, I'm having some troubles getting my VISA renewed, but that's a personal issue).
Anyways, don't wanna bore you with irl stuff. You're here for food and gay furry romance! So as always, I hope you enjoy reading! :D
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Thank you to Philodox on discord for proofreading and editing RfD.
Thank you to Pampanope on reddit for the cover art.
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Memory Transcript Subject: Sylvan, Venlil Citizen
Date: [Standardized Human Time]: December 13, 2136
It wasn’t too long that I was absent from the event. Sure, Kenta and I had run into a few hiccups when trying to load up the cart, but that was to be expected. Just looking at the absolute behemoth of an edible pile that he had somehow been able to put together in such a short amount of time, it was a wonder just how we were able to fit them all on there in the first place. And the promise that there was still more yet to be brought out had left me astonished. If I hadn’t already seen the ravenous vortex of Venlil that had so efficiently done away with the other dishes, I might have actually been worried about leftovers.
The food in question, long tubes made out of some kind of starchy form of strayu and packaged in an even starchier husk, were stacked in circular pyramids atop three large trays. As it turned out, this delicacy was the same “Tamale” recipe that I had heard mentioned the day before, the sheer amount being the product of Kenta’s, Julio’s, and even Jeela’s preparations. Unfortunately, I hadn’t received the full explanation of what they were just yet, but Kenta had thankfully given me at least a quick rundown.
Using the same steaming methods as the gyoza, these tamales had been folded carefully over a mix of fresh, crisp vegetables whose scent floated around each in a rich aura. They were hot out of the steamer, a cloud of gaseous water encircling the air above it in a decadent plume. If I hadn’t known better, with the combined mass of the tamales and the sheer volume of steam they collectively released, it might have made me believe the cart itself to be on fire. But of course, there was no such thing, and the cloud that spread into the sky only served to sweeten the air.
As I rolled out the cart, I looked at one last addition to the ensemble. There in a large bowl was something that Kenta hadn’t mentioned in the slightest when explaining the recipe and reasonings behind the tamales, and I had been so urgent to get these out the door that I’d forgotten to press for more details. It had been left in the refrigerator since the day before, which I had only noticed when doing inventory after the fiasco of event preparations.
‘It completely slipped my mind until now… I’m glad I didn’t forget it. Especially after what that note said.’
When I had found the bowl, a small piece of paper had been taped to it. On which, an alien text had been inscribed that required me to use my visual translator to make any sense of. It had been nothing but obvious that holding up the translator informed me that the language was indeed Terran. But what confused me was that instead of the morphemic script that I had come to slightly recognize from Kenta’s subculture, it instead appeared to be something more alphabetic.
On it, the note simply read: “Make sure to serve this with the tamales, my friend. Don’t forget!”
Additionally, below those words had appeared to be an additional message. That one, however, was partially scribbled out. When I scanned that one as well, the translator had taken a long time to process, and its output remained considerably fractured: “**od l*ck wit* y*u* n*w boyf***nd.”
Having not thought much of the note, I had just barely remembered to retrieve the bowl from the fridge and put it on the card while Kenta was off busy grabbing one last batch of tamales before rushing me out the door. I shook it out of my mind for the time being. After all, right now there were more pressing things to manage.
Wheeling the cart back outside, I was hit with the briefest shortage of breath. It had only been a momentary respite, but shifting from the quiet of the empty diner to the lively atmosphere of a crowded party would never not be a shock. By now, enough people had shown up that the event could already be considered at max capacity. People from all over filled the street, chatting and conversing in a rambunctious, lively gusto.
To see so many people take the time out of their schedules and come down to my family’s diner just because of the promise of our food… It was almost overwhelming, enough to bring a brief tear to the eye reminiscent of my reaction to that very first wave of people Ginro had brought soon after I first hired Kenta. I took a moment just to bask in it. A feeling I had all but begun to grow almost too accustomed to. A feeling of success, and of pride. And as I once again continued pushing the cart past the crowds of chatty party attendees, along with the piles of wool that it entailed, that feeling continued to pour into me. It was all almost too much to hear at once.
“Hey Sylvan! Great party!” said one voice to my left.
“Amazing food as always, Lackadaisy guy! I can’t get enough of these little strayu things in the salad!” piped another to my right.
“Ooooo! What are those things?” asked one more as I passed by them, who excitedly eyed up the stack of tamales I was delivering.
I laughed along and chatted with people on my way to one of the tables, chuckling at their jokes and accepting their praise on behalf of both myself and the mysterious ‘Kahnta.’ With each pleased guest and hungry gaze, I couldn’t help but feel myself bloom in sheer joy at the tidal wave of enthusiastic complements.
That was… until one otherwise innocent comment sounded from behind me.
“So you’re telling me this was all made by one chef?” they asked one of their friends, not intending me to hear as they talked with their mouth half stuffed with food. Looking closer, I could see that they were two Gojids chatting with one another. “Better enjoy it now, I guess. Not gonna be long before some fancy place in the Capital comes and recruits them. Honestly, if the owner of this place wants to have any hope of holding on to them, he better marry them or something.”
The partygoer’s friend laughed, “Well if he doesn’t, then I will! Can you imagine eating something like this every day?”
I couldn’t help but bloom even more overhearing this. But this was a different kind of feeling. Not the gentle warmth of normal delight, but instead the torrid heat of surging emotions. And as I began nonchalantly transferring the steaming tamales to one of the tables, these emotions steamed to the surface of my mind as well.
It was a mix of things that fueled my silent reaction. At first, the implication of asking Kenta into matehood was… well it was certainly something. I was sure the two Gojids were simply making innocent remarks, assuming that the lie about my precious chef being another, completely ordinary Venlil was correct, not realizing in the slightest just how much the implication left me flummoxed. And in normal circumstances, it would have been just that, a simple perk of the ears and a brief daydream of something so far away from me. But after yesterday, things had changed.
The previous day had been eventful, to say the least. I had eaten some amazing pastries and listened to an even more amazing alien melody. Only for it all to come crashing down when my idiotic brain forgot to turn back on the translator before pouring out my entire menagerie of pent up emotions before Kenta. My one chance to seize an opportunity at the height of a courageous high, only to tumble and fall flat during the execution. Even worse, I couldn’t muster the bravery to say the same thing even one more time.
I had completely blown it. And needless to say, I wasn’t exactly keen on remembering my mistakes from that previous day, especially during such a pivotal event. The only mediocre condolence I could take from the whole ordeal being the opportunity of waking up next to Kenta that same day. But even that was cut much too short by the mad rush to get preparation ready for the event.
‘I can still remember how warm he felt… And how peaceful he looked when his eyes were closed…’ I thought to myself in deep reminiscence.
“Hey there Sylvan!”
‘I can’t get it out of my head…! Ugh! I wish it wasn’t just a one time thing…’
“Sylvan?”
‘If we really were together romantically, then maybe I could see that every day… But that’s not–’
“Sylvan!!”
The moment my attention was pulled away from my internal thoughts, I audibly bleated out a high pitched noise of surprise, “Eeep!”
My ears jutted up and my tail straightened like a steel beam. My attention shifted over to my side, where I soon realized Fehnel now stood. She had her paws held firmly on her hips, with a head tilted to the side in a half puzzled, half amused demeanor. Then, when I realized I had been staring a little too long without saying anything, I quickly turned my attention back to the table.
“Oh hey Fehnel!” I stuttered out. “Didn’t see you there!”
“Sorry if I sneaked up on ya, hun,” Fehnel replied with a single wag of the tail. “Got somethin’ on the mind, I’m assumin’?”
The image of Kenta and I huddled together on my couch flashed through my mind once more, before I quickly shook it away. “Uhhhh… Nope! I’m just really focussing here on getting these tamales out.”
“‘Tamales,’ huh?” Fehnel chuckled. “Well between this and that ‘gee-yo-za’ stuff, I think I’m startin’ to give up on predictin’ what crazy name Kahnta’ll come up with next.”
“Yeah it’s pretty… uh–” I coughed awkwardly, clearing something nonexistent out of my throat. “It’s pretty creative.”
“You can say that again. By this point, they’re startin’ to sound almost alien!” Fehnel laughed again, and I cringed as the irony fell over deaf ears. “But hey, who am I to judge! I mean, to me all the stuff on this planet is alien, so what’s another ‘Tamale’ added to the pile, yeah?”
I had to stop my ears and head from shrinking too far towards the ground.
“Anyways, I’m assumin’ these are the actual foods I requested Kahnta to create, right?” Fehnel continued to ask.
“Uh– Y-yeah, yes they ar–” I tried to say before one of Fehnel’s paws suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist.
“Great!” she beamed, before dragging me away into one of the many chatty piles of fluffy wool that constituted our event.
It didn’t take more than a few rushed steps before I was suddenly pulled in front of another Yotul and Venlil, who I did well to recognize immediately. It seemed as though Kadew and Vuilen had arrived, the former of which looking just about as nervous as I had expected. Vuilen, on the other paw, was anything but. Her tail was wagging furiously, almost impossibly giddy with enthusiasm as her ears shifted around a swivel, likely allowing every new smell and sound to pull her attention to and fro.
Fehnel dragged me forward and plopped me down right in front of the two, before saying, “Tell them what you just told me.”
Vuilen leaned forward, bestowing me her full attention, while Kadew remained stationary, only doing as much as to straighten a single, skeptical ear.
“W-well, uh…” I stumbled, before quickly getting my act together. “Among a number of new strayu recipes, the main entree for today’s event is called ‘Tamales.’”
“Oooo!” Vuilen beamed. “What’s that, Lackadaisy guy? It sounds awesome!”
“According to Kahnta, it’s a mix of vegetables folded in a spongy strayu wrap and steamed inside a starchy husk. And…” I tilted my ears towards Kadew, “It’s supposedly a specialty that is designed to be eaten during times of celebration with family. Regardless of whether they be by blood, or found.”
Kadew huffed a short breath, before folding her arms. But before she got the chance to speak, Vuilen’s enthused voice overtook it. The black and white wooled Venlil leaned into her smaller Yotul partner and pulled them into a strong hug.
“Hear that, Dew? It’s like this food was MADE for your Running Day!” Vuilen piped, bouncing up and down like a cub and bringing the now deeply blooming Kadew along for the ride. “Well… I guess it literally was, but you know what I mean! Either way, there’s like a million new kinds of strayu foods here! Can you believe that? I think I even saw some sylvanas over on that table there! Can you even begin to wonder what they taste like? Oh my Sol, I’m so excited!”
Kadew, whose previously unimpressed countenance now had more steam coming out of her ears than the tamales off in the distance, stuttered out her response. “Uh– Uhmm– That’s… that’s great…”
“I know right!” Vuilen squealed. “This is going to be the BEST Running Day ever! I’m so happy for you!”
I couldn’t help but giggle out in response to this, something which Fehnel had long since been doing on her own volition. Unfortunately for Kadew, this did nothing to ease the sheer amount of embarrassment already flying around her dazed face.
“Of course, all guests are free to eat their fill, especially those invited by the Claw’s Lady herself,” I said, before gesturing a paw towards Fehnel. “All of it has been covered in advance by our generous sponsor.”
Vuilen retreated from her hug just as quickly as it had started, twisting her attention back towards Fehnel and I. “Really? I still can’t believe you’re just giving away all this for free!”
She walked towards the two of us, leaving a still dazed Kadew behind her, before rushing to give Fehnel herself another brief hug. “Thank you so much again for organizing something like this, ma’am.”
Fehnel returned the embrace, having nothing but pure pride and joy radiate through her voice. “Of course, hun. I hope you and my daughter enjoy your date.”
“Oh we will!” Vuilen replied quickly, pulling back once again. Just as fast, she began making a beeline for the buffet tables, almost disappearing into the crowd of fellow Venlil fluff before her voice was heard once more. “I’ll be back in a jiffy, Dew! I just gotta try some of this stuff before it’s all gone!”
Before she was out of range, I twisted around, raised a paw up to my mouth, and stood up high to help carry my voice after her. “Don’t forget to save room for dessert!”
Turning back, I joined Fehnel once again in her chuckling. It didn’t take long for Fehnel to comment on the situation now that Vuilen was out of earshot.
She leaned over and gently nudged me in the leg with her tail. “She’s a riot, ain’t she? Does my daughter know how to pick em’, or what?”
“Oh yeah, I’ve seen them together in the diner all the time. Honestly, I’ve been wondering how long it was going to take to knit that scarf,” I commented, referencing one of the more common and romantic Venlil courtship rituals.
“Guys I can HEAR YOU!” Kadew yelped, now seemingly freed of her hug-induced daze.
“Oh hun don’t you worry yourself about us,” Fehnel replied, a slight hum to her voice. “Us adults can’t help but watch the young love bloom.”
“That guy’s barely older than I am!” Kadew shot back, raising a finger to point at me.
I raised two paws in defence, much too similar to the way Kenta does when he’s been caught teasing me. “Hey, doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it when I see it. You’re doing great, by the way.”
The teasing, however, had been lost on her. I had meant it in good will, but my words had only served to aggravate Kadew, and she huffed out an annoyed breath. Then, she started stomping rapidly in place, her trained legs moving in a blur like overclocked turbines. From even the briefest glance, I could tell that something had been pulling away at her tail, and our comments were doing it no favours.
“Uhh… are you alright?” I asked tentatively.
“ARGH!” she groaned back. “No! No, I am very much NOT alright! Running Day’s here already, I feel like a pile of speh, my fur’s a mess, and I’m FREAKING THE BRAHK OUT!!”
‘Quite the vocabulary on this one, apparently,’ I judged silently, wondering how my mother would have reacted to hearing me talk like that.
“Honey, Vuilen’s not gonna care about any of that silly stuff,” Fehnel said jovially. “Why, I remember bein’ covered in dried mud the first time I went on a date with your father. We went down to the creek together and took turns tossing water at each other. Then, we went down to the local actin’ house and watched a show. But even after all of that, I still had a bit of dried mud crusted on my fur, but your father didn’t mind. Said it gave me ‘character,’ of all the silly things.”
“Isn’t dried mud just dirt?” I asked.
“Naw, see, dirt is sand, silt, and clay, but it only becomes mud when it has a higher content of clay.”
“So then what happens when dirt gets wet but doesn’t have a lot of clay?”
“Wet dirt.”
“Ah.”
“WHAT ARE YOU BRAHKING TALKING ABOUT!?” Kadew squealed in a panic, her stomping had not ceased in the slightest. She threw her paws up and pulled her ears down over her eyes. “Dirt and mud! That’s all that we Yotul talk about apparently! And trains! Can’t forget the brahking trains! Stars above, that’s all people ever say!”
“Trains are cool,” I said indifferently.
“I don’t care!” she huffed, before turning to Fehnel. “Mom. What if Vuilen comes back and sees you talking about dirt? She’ll just see that it’s the only thing a primitive uplift is capable of understanding! Do you really want to prove her right?”
Fehnel looked shocked, but replied nonetheless. “Has… she said something like that before?”
“Well…! No…! But…” Kadew stomped again. “She might, okay!? Especially if she sees you actively talking about it!”
“To be fair, I asked,” I replied. “Besides, Vuilen seems like a smart girl. She wouldn’t make a rash assumption about the Yotul based off some random remark. Relationships are stronger than that. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“What do you know about it!?” Kadew shot back, releasing her ears and letting them perk up to max height. “Unless I missed something, I don’t see you dating any other Venlil in that restaurant of yours! How do you know if any of this is fine!?”
Fehnel’s voice soured immediately. “Kadew! That is no way to talk to our new business partner! He was just tryin’ to help! Apologize this instant!”
Realizing something had shifted without my notice, I tried to mellow my voice in an attempt to calm the situation down. “Oh, that won’t be necessar–”
“No,” Fehnel interrupted. “I refuse to let my daughter be rude to anyone. We might not have much, but we at least have manners.” She turned her attention back to her daughter. “Kadew, if you have a problem, then I want you to tell me about it. If there’s somethin’ we can do to help, then–”
“No no, it’s not…” Kadew replied, bringing two fingers up to pinch the bridge of her snout. “It’s not that…”
“It’s not what?” Fehnel tried to guess. “It’s with Vuilen, isn’t it? You’re afraid she’ll not be able to appreciate the Runnin’ Day? Listen, I know this isn’t Leirn, but Sylvan and I are kickin’ our hardest to make it special for you regardless. Sure, it’s not the most traditional, but I’m sure Vuilen won’t mind! I understand that livin’ on a new planet is taxin’, the gravity here especially, but as foreigners it’s our job to show these nice people where we come from. We’re Yotul, and nothin’ will change that!”
“Mom…” Kadew grunted back, before taking a deep breath.
Before she could speak, Fehnel continued with a proud wag to her tail. “Do you remember what a Runnin’ Day is all about, Kadew? It’s about all the cubs that came of age that year comin’ together and sayin’ that they’ll be fine by themselves. But it’s also about family. It’s about knowin’ that no matter where you run off to, I’ll be there to support you. But you’re makin’ it real hard to do that every time you don’t tell me what the matter is! And if you don’t, how can I make this Runnin’ Day the best it can–”
“But it’s not a Running Day, is it!” Kadew yelled, instantly shutting Fehnel up.
Her mother stared forward blankly, stumbling over a few unclear words. “Wh-what do you…”
“It’s not a Running Day!” Kadew repeated. “It’s not! I mean look around you!” She lifted her arms up dramatically, motioning towards the crowds of unaware Venlil around us. “We’re the only Yotul here! We’re the only two people that even know what a Running Day is, and I’m pretty sure we’re the only people that care!”
I tried to speak, “Umm… I know what a Running Day i–” but the look of animosity Kadew immediately shot my way gave me Jeela flashbacks, and I shut up just as quick.
“Kadew… Hun, that’s not true,” Fehnel tried to defend. “I’m sure they’d be willing to open their minds if we just–”
“What? Tell them all about how great it is to come from an Uplift planet? Talk about brahking DIRT some more!? Careful there Mom, don’t want to spoil their meal!” Kadew continued her berating. “Because you and I both know that the only reason anyone even showed up to this thing is because of that guy’s food!” Another finger was shot out in my direction. “Even you know there’s nothing special about your stupid Uplift culture! There’s nothing here even remotely related to the Yotul! It’s all just Venlil decorations and Venlil food, for our solely Venlil guests! And look!!” She pointed directly at the statue Jeela had placed as the centerpiece. “They have a statue of a Venlil as the center of everything! It’s the star attraction, not us! They couldn’t give a damn about me or Running Day or our culture or… or anything!”
Fehnel appeared to be on the verge of tears.
“And now I’ve got to find some kind of excuse for all this!” Kadew added. “It’s bad enough I had to drag Vuilen into pretending to care about the Yotul. But now the entire town is a part of it too! They’re laughing at us, Mom! Just like at school! Just like everywhere else I go! They’re laughing at us and you’re proud about it!”
From the verge of tears, Fehnel’s voice had croaked into a soft weep. A glimmering stream of water had begun to crawl down the ridge of her rust-coloured face.
“I hate being born a Yotul! I hate this gross, rusty fur! I hate everyone thinking I’m primitive and that I must be in love with trains and steam engines! And I hate you trying to push your culture on me! Cause guess what? I’ve never even seen Leirn! It’s NOT my home and you need to stop pretending it is!”
Fehnel stood simply aghast, the occasional choked-up garble of sounds emerging from her throat. Meanwhile, I stood speechless as well. Obviously, I had accidentally walked in on and been exposed to something that had been going on for quite a while. But even worse, it seems as though I had done nothing but fanned the flame of this long-fueled fire. Instinctively, I began taking a few steps back to give the two their space, which went unnoticed by either party.
Fehnel swallowed, her eyes still welling tears. “I… I…” she tried to say, but no words would form. Instead, she choked on her own voice. And Kadew, who stood waiting for a response, sucked in heavy loads of air in the fleeting hope to catch her breath.
But instead of an answer, all that any of us heard was a scream.
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My second to last quarter just ended and I'm pretty swamped with final reports right now, but I'm almost through. Not to mention, the next seven weeks are going to be pretty light because of a sudden lack of classes, since I busted my butt finishing up my remaining credits. I've decided to dedicate this time to (among other things) a writing frenzy! I wanna get some serioussss backlogs up because who knows how busy I'm going to be after graduation. (Not to mention, I'm having some troubles getting my VISA renewed, but that's a personal issue).
Anyways, don't wanna bore you with irl stuff. You're here for food and gay furry romance! So as always, I hope you enjoy reading! :D
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Thank you to Philodox on discord for proofreading and editing RfD.
Thank you to Pampanope on reddit for the cover art.
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Memory Transcript Subject: Sylvan, Venlil Citizen
Date: [Standardized Human Time]: December 13, 2136
It wasn’t too long that I was absent from the event. Sure, Kenta and I had run into a few hiccups when trying to load up the cart, but that was to be expected. Just looking at the absolute behemoth of an edible pile that he had somehow been able to put together in such a short amount of time, it was a wonder just how we were able to fit them all on there in the first place. And the promise that there was still more yet to be brought out had left me astonished. If I hadn’t already seen the ravenous vortex of Venlil that had so efficiently done away with the other dishes, I might have actually been worried about leftovers.
The food in question, long tubes made out of some kind of starchy form of strayu and packaged in an even starchier husk, were stacked in circular pyramids atop three large trays. As it turned out, this delicacy was the same “Tamale” recipe that I had heard mentioned the day before, the sheer amount being the product of Kenta’s, Julio’s, and even Jeela’s preparations. Unfortunately, I hadn’t received the full explanation of what they were just yet, but Kenta had thankfully given me at least a quick rundown.
Using the same steaming methods as the gyoza, these tamales had been folded carefully over a mix of fresh, crisp vegetables whose scent floated around each in a rich aura. They were hot out of the steamer, a cloud of gaseous water encircling the air above it in a decadent plume. If I hadn’t known better, with the combined mass of the tamales and the sheer volume of steam they collectively released, it might have made me believe the cart itself to be on fire. But of course, there was no such thing, and the cloud that spread into the sky only served to sweeten the air.
As I rolled out the cart, I looked at one last addition to the ensemble. There in a large bowl was something that Kenta hadn’t mentioned in the slightest when explaining the recipe and reasonings behind the tamales, and I had been so urgent to get these out the door that I’d forgotten to press for more details. It had been left in the refrigerator since the day before, which I had only noticed when doing inventory after the fiasco of event preparations.
‘It completely slipped my mind until now… I’m glad I didn’t forget it. Especially after what that note said.’
When I had found the bowl, a small piece of paper had been taped to it. On which, an alien text had been inscribed that required me to use my visual translator to make any sense of. It had been nothing but obvious that holding up the translator informed me that the language was indeed Terran. But what confused me was that instead of the morphemic script that I had come to slightly recognize from Kenta’s subculture, it instead appeared to be something more alphabetic.
On it, the note simply read: “Make sure to serve this with the tamales, my friend. Don’t forget!”
Additionally, below those words had appeared to be an additional message. That one, however, was partially scribbled out. When I scanned that one as well, the translator had taken a long time to process, and its output remained considerably fractured: “**od l*ck wit* y*u* n*w boyf***nd.”
Having not thought much of the note, I had just barely remembered to retrieve the bowl from the fridge and put it on the card while Kenta was off busy grabbing one last batch of tamales before rushing me out the door. I shook it out of my mind for the time being. After all, right now there were more pressing things to manage.
Wheeling the cart back outside, I was hit with the briefest shortage of breath. It had only been a momentary respite, but shifting from the quiet of the empty diner to the lively atmosphere of a crowded party would never not be a shock. By now, enough people had shown up that the event could already be considered at max capacity. People from all over filled the street, chatting and conversing in a rambunctious, lively gusto.
To see so many people take the time out of their schedules and come down to my family’s diner just because of the promise of our food… It was almost overwhelming, enough to bring a brief tear to the eye reminiscent of my reaction to that very first wave of people Ginro had brought soon after I first hired Kenta. I took a moment just to bask in it. A feeling I had all but begun to grow almost too accustomed to. A feeling of success, and of pride. And as I once again continued pushing the cart past the crowds of chatty party attendees, along with the piles of wool that it entailed, that feeling continued to pour into me. It was all almost too much to hear at once.
“Hey Sylvan! Great party!” said one voice to my left.
“Amazing food as always, Lackadaisy guy! I can’t get enough of these little strayu things in the salad!” piped another to my right.
“Ooooo! What are those things?” asked one more as I passed by them, who excitedly eyed up the stack of tamales I was delivering.
I laughed along and chatted with people on my way to one of the tables, chuckling at their jokes and accepting their praise on behalf of both myself and the mysterious ‘Kahnta.’ With each pleased guest and hungry gaze, I couldn’t help but feel myself bloom in sheer joy at the tidal wave of enthusiastic complements.
That was… until one otherwise innocent comment sounded from behind me.
“So you’re telling me this was all made by one chef?” they asked one of their friends, not intending me to hear as they talked with their mouth half stuffed with food. Looking closer, I could see that they were two Gojids chatting with one another. “Better enjoy it now, I guess. Not gonna be long before some fancy place in the Capital comes and recruits them. Honestly, if the owner of this place wants to have any hope of holding on to them, he better marry them or something.”
The partygoer’s friend laughed, “Well if he doesn’t, then I will! Can you imagine eating something like this every day?”
I couldn’t help but bloom even more overhearing this. But this was a different kind of feeling. Not the gentle warmth of normal delight, but instead the torrid heat of surging emotions. And as I began nonchalantly transferring the steaming tamales to one of the tables, these emotions steamed to the surface of my mind as well.
It was a mix of things that fueled my silent reaction. At first, the implication of asking Kenta into matehood was… well it was certainly something. I was sure the two Gojids were simply making innocent remarks, assuming that the lie about my precious chef being another, completely ordinary Venlil was correct, not realizing in the slightest just how much the implication left me flummoxed. And in normal circumstances, it would have been just that, a simple perk of the ears and a brief daydream of something so far away from me. But after yesterday, things had changed.
The previous day had been eventful, to say the least. I had eaten some amazing pastries and listened to an even more amazing alien melody. Only for it all to come crashing down when my idiotic brain forgot to turn back on the translator before pouring out my entire menagerie of pent up emotions before Kenta. My one chance to seize an opportunity at the height of a courageous high, only to tumble and fall flat during the execution. Even worse, I couldn’t muster the bravery to say the same thing even one more time.
I had completely blown it. And needless to say, I wasn’t exactly keen on remembering my mistakes from that previous day, especially during such a pivotal event. The only mediocre condolence I could take from the whole ordeal being the opportunity of waking up next to Kenta that same day. But even that was cut much too short by the mad rush to get preparation ready for the event.
‘I can still remember how warm he felt… And how peaceful he looked when his eyes were closed…’ I thought to myself in deep reminiscence.
“Hey there Sylvan!”
‘I can’t get it out of my head…! Ugh! I wish it wasn’t just a one time thing…’
“Sylvan?”
‘If we really were together romantically, then maybe I could see that every day… But that’s not–’
“Sylvan!!”
The moment my attention was pulled away from my internal thoughts, I audibly bleated out a high pitched noise of surprise, “Eeep!”
My ears jutted up and my tail straightened like a steel beam. My attention shifted over to my side, where I soon realized Fehnel now stood. She had her paws held firmly on her hips, with a head tilted to the side in a half puzzled, half amused demeanor. Then, when I realized I had been staring a little too long without saying anything, I quickly turned my attention back to the table.
“Oh hey Fehnel!” I stuttered out. “Didn’t see you there!”
“Sorry if I sneaked up on ya, hun,” Fehnel replied with a single wag of the tail. “Got somethin’ on the mind, I’m assumin’?”
The image of Kenta and I huddled together on my couch flashed through my mind once more, before I quickly shook it away. “Uhhhh… Nope! I’m just really focussing here on getting these tamales out.”
“‘Tamales,’ huh?” Fehnel chuckled. “Well between this and that ‘gee-yo-za’ stuff, I think I’m startin’ to give up on predictin’ what crazy name Kahnta’ll come up with next.”
“Yeah it’s pretty… uh–” I coughed awkwardly, clearing something nonexistent out of my throat. “It’s pretty creative.”
“You can say that again. By this point, they’re startin’ to sound almost alien!” Fehnel laughed again, and I cringed as the irony fell over deaf ears. “But hey, who am I to judge! I mean, to me all the stuff on this planet is alien, so what’s another ‘Tamale’ added to the pile, yeah?”
I had to stop my ears and head from shrinking too far towards the ground.
“Anyways, I’m assumin’ these are the actual foods I requested Kahnta to create, right?” Fehnel continued to ask.
“Uh– Y-yeah, yes they ar–” I tried to say before one of Fehnel’s paws suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist.
“Great!” she beamed, before dragging me away into one of the many chatty piles of fluffy wool that constituted our event.
It didn’t take more than a few rushed steps before I was suddenly pulled in front of another Yotul and Venlil, who I did well to recognize immediately. It seemed as though Kadew and Vuilen had arrived, the former of which looking just about as nervous as I had expected. Vuilen, on the other paw, was anything but. Her tail was wagging furiously, almost impossibly giddy with enthusiasm as her ears shifted around a swivel, likely allowing every new smell and sound to pull her attention to and fro.
Fehnel dragged me forward and plopped me down right in front of the two, before saying, “Tell them what you just told me.”
Vuilen leaned forward, bestowing me her full attention, while Kadew remained stationary, only doing as much as to straighten a single, skeptical ear.
“W-well, uh…” I stumbled, before quickly getting my act together. “Among a number of new strayu recipes, the main entree for today’s event is called ‘Tamales.’”
“Oooo!” Vuilen beamed. “What’s that, Lackadaisy guy? It sounds awesome!”
“According to Kahnta, it’s a mix of vegetables folded in a spongy strayu wrap and steamed inside a starchy husk. And…” I tilted my ears towards Kadew, “It’s supposedly a specialty that is designed to be eaten during times of celebration with family. Regardless of whether they be by blood, or found.”
Kadew huffed a short breath, before folding her arms. But before she got the chance to speak, Vuilen’s enthused voice overtook it. The black and white wooled Venlil leaned into her smaller Yotul partner and pulled them into a strong hug.
“Hear that, Dew? It’s like this food was MADE for your Running Day!” Vuilen piped, bouncing up and down like a cub and bringing the now deeply blooming Kadew along for the ride. “Well… I guess it literally was, but you know what I mean! Either way, there’s like a million new kinds of strayu foods here! Can you believe that? I think I even saw some sylvanas over on that table there! Can you even begin to wonder what they taste like? Oh my Sol, I’m so excited!”
Kadew, whose previously unimpressed countenance now had more steam coming out of her ears than the tamales off in the distance, stuttered out her response. “Uh– Uhmm– That’s… that’s great…”
“I know right!” Vuilen squealed. “This is going to be the BEST Running Day ever! I’m so happy for you!”
I couldn’t help but giggle out in response to this, something which Fehnel had long since been doing on her own volition. Unfortunately for Kadew, this did nothing to ease the sheer amount of embarrassment already flying around her dazed face.
“Of course, all guests are free to eat their fill, especially those invited by the Claw’s Lady herself,” I said, before gesturing a paw towards Fehnel. “All of it has been covered in advance by our generous sponsor.”
Vuilen retreated from her hug just as quickly as it had started, twisting her attention back towards Fehnel and I. “Really? I still can’t believe you’re just giving away all this for free!”
She walked towards the two of us, leaving a still dazed Kadew behind her, before rushing to give Fehnel herself another brief hug. “Thank you so much again for organizing something like this, ma’am.”
Fehnel returned the embrace, having nothing but pure pride and joy radiate through her voice. “Of course, hun. I hope you and my daughter enjoy your date.”
“Oh we will!” Vuilen replied quickly, pulling back once again. Just as fast, she began making a beeline for the buffet tables, almost disappearing into the crowd of fellow Venlil fluff before her voice was heard once more. “I’ll be back in a jiffy, Dew! I just gotta try some of this stuff before it’s all gone!”
Before she was out of range, I twisted around, raised a paw up to my mouth, and stood up high to help carry my voice after her. “Don’t forget to save room for dessert!”
Turning back, I joined Fehnel once again in her chuckling. It didn’t take long for Fehnel to comment on the situation now that Vuilen was out of earshot.
She leaned over and gently nudged me in the leg with her tail. “She’s a riot, ain’t she? Does my daughter know how to pick em’, or what?”
“Oh yeah, I’ve seen them together in the diner all the time. Honestly, I’ve been wondering how long it was going to take to knit that scarf,” I commented, referencing one of the more common and romantic Venlil courtship rituals.
“Guys I can HEAR YOU!” Kadew yelped, now seemingly freed of her hug-induced daze.
“Oh hun don’t you worry yourself about us,” Fehnel replied, a slight hum to her voice. “Us adults can’t help but watch the young love bloom.”
“That guy’s barely older than I am!” Kadew shot back, raising a finger to point at me.
I raised two paws in defence, much too similar to the way Kenta does when he’s been caught teasing me. “Hey, doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it when I see it. You’re doing great, by the way.”
The teasing, however, had been lost on her. I had meant it in good will, but my words had only served to aggravate Kadew, and she huffed out an annoyed breath. Then, she started stomping rapidly in place, her trained legs moving in a blur like overclocked turbines. From even the briefest glance, I could tell that something had been pulling away at her tail, and our comments were doing it no favours.
“Uhh… are you alright?” I asked tentatively.
“ARGH!” she groaned back. “No! No, I am very much NOT alright! Running Day’s here already, I feel like a pile of speh, my fur’s a mess, and I’m FREAKING THE BRAHK OUT!!”
‘Quite the vocabulary on this one, apparently,’ I judged silently, wondering how my mother would have reacted to hearing me talk like that.
“Honey, Vuilen’s not gonna care about any of that silly stuff,” Fehnel said jovially. “Why, I remember bein’ covered in dried mud the first time I went on a date with your father. We went down to the creek together and took turns tossing water at each other. Then, we went down to the local actin’ house and watched a show. But even after all of that, I still had a bit of dried mud crusted on my fur, but your father didn’t mind. Said it gave me ‘character,’ of all the silly things.”
“Isn’t dried mud just dirt?” I asked.
“Naw, see, dirt is sand, silt, and clay, but it only becomes mud when it has a higher content of clay.”
“So then what happens when dirt gets wet but doesn’t have a lot of clay?”
“Wet dirt.”
“Ah.”
“WHAT ARE YOU BRAHKING TALKING ABOUT!?” Kadew squealed in a panic, her stomping had not ceased in the slightest. She threw her paws up and pulled her ears down over her eyes. “Dirt and mud! That’s all that we Yotul talk about apparently! And trains! Can’t forget the brahking trains! Stars above, that’s all people ever say!”
“Trains are cool,” I said indifferently.
“I don’t care!” she huffed, before turning to Fehnel. “Mom. What if Vuilen comes back and sees you talking about dirt? She’ll just see that it’s the only thing a primitive uplift is capable of understanding! Do you really want to prove her right?”
Fehnel looked shocked, but replied nonetheless. “Has… she said something like that before?”
“Well…! No…! But…” Kadew stomped again. “She might, okay!? Especially if she sees you actively talking about it!”
“To be fair, I asked,” I replied. “Besides, Vuilen seems like a smart girl. She wouldn’t make a rash assumption about the Yotul based off some random remark. Relationships are stronger than that. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“What do you know about it!?” Kadew shot back, releasing her ears and letting them perk up to max height. “Unless I missed something, I don’t see you dating any other Venlil in that restaurant of yours! How do you know if any of this is fine!?”
Fehnel’s voice soured immediately. “Kadew! That is no way to talk to our new business partner! He was just tryin’ to help! Apologize this instant!”
Realizing something had shifted without my notice, I tried to mellow my voice in an attempt to calm the situation down. “Oh, that won’t be necessar–”
“No,” Fehnel interrupted. “I refuse to let my daughter be rude to anyone. We might not have much, but we at least have manners.” She turned her attention back to her daughter. “Kadew, if you have a problem, then I want you to tell me about it. If there’s somethin’ we can do to help, then–”
“No no, it’s not…” Kadew replied, bringing two fingers up to pinch the bridge of her snout. “It’s not that…”
“It’s not what?” Fehnel tried to guess. “It’s with Vuilen, isn’t it? You’re afraid she’ll not be able to appreciate the Runnin’ Day? Listen, I know this isn’t Leirn, but Sylvan and I are kickin’ our hardest to make it special for you regardless. Sure, it’s not the most traditional, but I’m sure Vuilen won’t mind! I understand that livin’ on a new planet is taxin’, the gravity here especially, but as foreigners it’s our job to show these nice people where we come from. We’re Yotul, and nothin’ will change that!”
“Mom…” Kadew grunted back, before taking a deep breath.
Before she could speak, Fehnel continued with a proud wag to her tail. “Do you remember what a Runnin’ Day is all about, Kadew? It’s about all the cubs that came of age that year comin’ together and sayin’ that they’ll be fine by themselves. But it’s also about family. It’s about knowin’ that no matter where you run off to, I’ll be there to support you. But you’re makin’ it real hard to do that every time you don’t tell me what the matter is! And if you don’t, how can I make this Runnin’ Day the best it can–”
“But it’s not a Running Day, is it!” Kadew yelled, instantly shutting Fehnel up.
Her mother stared forward blankly, stumbling over a few unclear words. “Wh-what do you…”
“It’s not a Running Day!” Kadew repeated. “It’s not! I mean look around you!” She lifted her arms up dramatically, motioning towards the crowds of unaware Venlil around us. “We’re the only Yotul here! We’re the only two people that even know what a Running Day is, and I’m pretty sure we’re the only people that care!”
I tried to speak, “Umm… I know what a Running Day i–” but the look of animosity Kadew immediately shot my way gave me Jeela flashbacks, and I shut up just as quick.
“Kadew… Hun, that’s not true,” Fehnel tried to defend. “I’m sure they’d be willing to open their minds if we just–”
“What? Tell them all about how great it is to come from an Uplift planet? Talk about brahking DIRT some more!? Careful there Mom, don’t want to spoil their meal!” Kadew continued her berating. “Because you and I both know that the only reason anyone even showed up to this thing is because of that guy’s food!” Another finger was shot out in my direction. “Even you know there’s nothing special about your stupid Uplift culture! There’s nothing here even remotely related to the Yotul! It’s all just Venlil decorations and Venlil food, for our solely Venlil guests! And look!!” She pointed directly at the statue Jeela had placed as the centerpiece. “They have a statue of a Venlil as the center of everything! It’s the star attraction, not us! They couldn’t give a damn about me or Running Day or our culture or… or anything!”
Fehnel appeared to be on the verge of tears.
“And now I’ve got to find some kind of excuse for all this!” Kadew added. “It’s bad enough I had to drag Vuilen into pretending to care about the Yotul. But now the entire town is a part of it too! They’re laughing at us, Mom! Just like at school! Just like everywhere else I go! They’re laughing at us and you’re proud about it!”
From the verge of tears, Fehnel’s voice had croaked into a soft weep. A glimmering stream of water had begun to crawl down the ridge of her rust-coloured face.
“I hate being born a Yotul! I hate this gross, rusty fur! I hate everyone thinking I’m primitive and that I must be in love with trains and steam engines! And I hate you trying to push your culture on me! Cause guess what? I’ve never even seen Leirn! It’s NOT my home and you need to stop pretending it is!”
Fehnel stood simply aghast, the occasional choked-up garble of sounds emerging from her throat. Meanwhile, I stood speechless as well. Obviously, I had accidentally walked in on and been exposed to something that had been going on for quite a while. But even worse, it seems as though I had done nothing but fanned the flame of this long-fueled fire. Instinctively, I began taking a few steps back to give the two their space, which went unnoticed by either party.
Fehnel swallowed, her eyes still welling tears. “I… I…” she tried to say, but no words would form. Instead, she choked on her own voice. And Kadew, who stood waiting for a response, sucked in heavy loads of air in the fleeting hope to catch her breath.
But instead of an answer, all that any of us heard was a scream.
—————————
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2024.05.26 07:20 GeneralKind2023 How to treat glares after surgery?
I hope to get everyone's advice on glares issue.
I had SMILE surgery both eyes on April 2023. Since then, my left had glares issue whenever I was in a dark environment (driving at night, watching movies in theatres, etc.). Then they did a "touch up" on my left eye on Dec 2023. However, even till now, the glares didn't go away.
They gave me a special eye drop to use and it burns my eye for at least an hour before it works. I dread that eye drop and don't want to depend on it for the rest of my life. Very painful and very inconvenient. Basically everytime I use it, my left eye can't function for an hour or so due to the burn sensation.
Some more information about my left eye, I had nearsightedness -6 and astigmatism -1. Now post surgery, left eye has astigmatism -0.5. Also, I experience dry eyes that I use artificial tears every 2hrs or so.
If you have had similar experience or heard any case like mine, please share. I appreciate any thoughts and feedbacks. Thank you!
submitted by GeneralKind2023 to Lasiksupport [link] [comments]
I had SMILE surgery both eyes on April 2023. Since then, my left had glares issue whenever I was in a dark environment (driving at night, watching movies in theatres, etc.). Then they did a "touch up" on my left eye on Dec 2023. However, even till now, the glares didn't go away.
They gave me a special eye drop to use and it burns my eye for at least an hour before it works. I dread that eye drop and don't want to depend on it for the rest of my life. Very painful and very inconvenient. Basically everytime I use it, my left eye can't function for an hour or so due to the burn sensation.
Some more information about my left eye, I had nearsightedness -6 and astigmatism -1. Now post surgery, left eye has astigmatism -0.5. Also, I experience dry eyes that I use artificial tears every 2hrs or so.
If you have had similar experience or heard any case like mine, please share. I appreciate any thoughts and feedbacks. Thank you!
2024.05.26 07:18 lilmisschainsaw 12 week old chihuahua with strange pain and behavior
First, I want to say he will be going to an emergency vet in the morning. There are none local, none open within an hour's drive, and there are serious storms in our area.
Species: dog Age: 12 weeks Sex/neuter: male, intact Breed: chihuahua Body weight: 1lbs 12oz History: has episodes of hypoglycemia. Does play with a heeler of similar age, we think their play may be at fault. He was acting off earlier this afternoon; just a bit lethargic and whining occasionally when picked up. He seemed to get more sore as the day progressed til it worsened considerably around 10pm. Clinical signs: he's lethargic, reacts with pain to touch on his throat. Avoids lowering his head, has a tendency to look upwards like he's howling. Doesn't reliably swallow drool, so it can get quite bad. Has an appetite, won't drink from a bowl but will swallow willingly from a droppesyringe. Is worse after sleeping, then gradually seems to get a bit better before sleeping again. Duration:8 hours or so General Location: Kansas
We are thinking he got injured while playing, and is just really, really sore. He is being kept quiet. What more can we do til he sees a vet?
submitted by lilmisschainsaw to AskVet [link] [comments]
Species: dog Age: 12 weeks Sex/neuter: male, intact Breed: chihuahua Body weight: 1lbs 12oz History: has episodes of hypoglycemia. Does play with a heeler of similar age, we think their play may be at fault. He was acting off earlier this afternoon; just a bit lethargic and whining occasionally when picked up. He seemed to get more sore as the day progressed til it worsened considerably around 10pm. Clinical signs: he's lethargic, reacts with pain to touch on his throat. Avoids lowering his head, has a tendency to look upwards like he's howling. Doesn't reliably swallow drool, so it can get quite bad. Has an appetite, won't drink from a bowl but will swallow willingly from a droppesyringe. Is worse after sleeping, then gradually seems to get a bit better before sleeping again. Duration:8 hours or so General Location: Kansas
We are thinking he got injured while playing, and is just really, really sore. He is being kept quiet. What more can we do til he sees a vet?
2024.05.26 07:10 ClassicFuture204 At what point does a migraine become an ER trip
My wife is pretty stubborn and I'm a bit concerned.
Yesterday she woke up unusually irritable and tired after appearing to have a normal sleep. By the end of the day she'd developed what she called a bad headache. She typically gets a few headaches a month, nothing she's really bothered by and easily relieved with ibuprofen.
By the end of the night she was curled up in bed in obvious pain. She said she felt like maybe she was getting a virus. Drank lots of water, had tylenol and ibuprofen and eventually passed out.
This morning she woke up with the pain still strong, worst behind her left eye but hurting everywhere she says. Throbbing and unbearable. She can't do any light or noise and threw up multiple times through the day. Every time she throws up she says it relieves the pain a bit, but then it comes right back.
She has no temperature or other symptoms of illness but she says she feels like her head is going to explode and her neck is a bit sore tonight too
I've seen her give birth and honestly this seems to be causing her more pain. She's stubborn though and says she will call her doctor on Monday if it's still going on.
Is this worth convincing her to go to the ER? I know they have 'migraine cocktails' that can help but she thinks she shouldn't go because it's likely a viral illness coming on
Female aged 32, 5'1 and about 115 lbs. No health conditions, takes otc birth control, allergic to penicillin, Doesn't use drugs
So far she's alternated tylenol and ibuprofen with no luck. Has vomited back up everything she's consumed today
submitted by ClassicFuture204 to AskDocs [link] [comments]
Yesterday she woke up unusually irritable and tired after appearing to have a normal sleep. By the end of the day she'd developed what she called a bad headache. She typically gets a few headaches a month, nothing she's really bothered by and easily relieved with ibuprofen.
By the end of the night she was curled up in bed in obvious pain. She said she felt like maybe she was getting a virus. Drank lots of water, had tylenol and ibuprofen and eventually passed out.
This morning she woke up with the pain still strong, worst behind her left eye but hurting everywhere she says. Throbbing and unbearable. She can't do any light or noise and threw up multiple times through the day. Every time she throws up she says it relieves the pain a bit, but then it comes right back.
She has no temperature or other symptoms of illness but she says she feels like her head is going to explode and her neck is a bit sore tonight too
I've seen her give birth and honestly this seems to be causing her more pain. She's stubborn though and says she will call her doctor on Monday if it's still going on.
Is this worth convincing her to go to the ER? I know they have 'migraine cocktails' that can help but she thinks she shouldn't go because it's likely a viral illness coming on
Female aged 32, 5'1 and about 115 lbs. No health conditions, takes otc birth control, allergic to penicillin, Doesn't use drugs
So far she's alternated tylenol and ibuprofen with no luck. Has vomited back up everything she's consumed today
2024.05.26 07:07 Appropriate-Novel282 Reply to trey-rey cause I can't reply on your comment directly due to subreddit censorship post titled "A cool guide to Epicurean Paradox"
No, but understanding the "idiom of permission" is necessary. This concept refers to God creating everything, but within that creation exists the possibility of evil due to free will. This is what angels or god(with a lowercase "g") referred to as the Devil or demons represent. For example, Isaiah 45:7 uses the idiom of permission. God is not creating "evil" directly, but rather the potential for evil exists because He created angels who could choose to rebel.
In Isaiah 45:7 “I make peace and create evil.” God does not “create evil.” That would be against His character and contradict the fact that He is love. Love and evil are mutually exclusive. This is the common Semitic “idiom of permission,” in which God is said to actively do something that He was only related to in some way. In this case, when God created the earth and created humankind to live on it, and gave humans (and spirit beings such as angels) freedom of will, He “created” the possibility of evil.
God gave people free will, and also gave them laws, rules, and norms that made a distinction between good and evil. Thus, when spirit beings or humans used the free will that God gave them and did evil, by the Semitic “idiom of permission” God was said to have caused the evil.
Another example of the idiom of permission is found in Job 2:10. The Devil, or the Accuser, tells God that Job has remained righteous only because he is under God's protection. Here, God allows Satan to afflict Job, resulting in the loss of his livelihood and children. It's important to understand that the Devil is often the source of division and throughout the Old and New Testaments, people are given the choice to obey or disobey based on free will.
In the case of Pharaoh in Exodus, God asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. At that point, Pharaoh could have said, “Okay,” and let them go, and he and Egypt would have been unhurt, and even blessed for obeying God. But God’s demand forced Pharaoh to make a choice: he could either let God’s people go, or he could harden his heart and say, “No,” which is what he did. As Pharaoh continued to say “No,” time after time, God put more and more pressure on him in the form of plagues that affected the land and people of Egypt. As the intensity of the plagues increased and there was more and more damage to Egypt and the Egyptians, Pharaoh’s heart had to become harder and harder in order for him to keep saying “No” to God’s request to release the Israelites. But God was not the problem; Pharaoh was the problem. However, because God was the one making the request and putting the pressure on Pharaoh, the Semitic idiom of permission is expressed by the phrase “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” It simply means that God acted in such a way that Pharaoh had to harden his heart to resist God. God did not harden Pharaoh’s heart, Pharaoh hardened his own heart because he did not want to obey God’s request.
We use the same kind of idiom in English. If a person does something that upsets us, we might say to them, “You made me mad.” But the person did not actually “make” us mad; anger was our personal response to what the person did to us. Someone else may have the same thing happen to them as happened to us but not get angry at all. So, when we say, “You made me mad,” we are using an idiom that expresses that anger was our response to what someone else did. A trained psychologist would not say, “You made me mad,” they would say, “I responded with anger when you did what you did.”
It was due to his understanding of the Semitic idiom of permission that Joseph Rotherham, in his Emphasized Bible, translated Exodus 4:21 as, “I will let his heart wax bold,” rather than “I will harden his heart.” The literal truth of what was going on with Pharaoh is stated in Exodus 9:34, that he hardened his own heart. God is love. He does not do evil. But because He created people with free will, and because He set laws and norms in place that require people to live righteous lives, when people do evil it is often, via the Semitic idiom of permission, spoken of as if God was the one who did the evil.
In Mathew 4:1 “by the spirit.” The Greek text reads, hupo tou pneumatos (ὑπὸ τοῦ πνεύματος), using the preposition hupo followed by “the spirit,” in the genitive case. Thus here, hupo denotes agency and tells us that Jesus was led “by” the spirit. It is difficult to decide whether we should say “by the Spirit,” i.e. “by God;” or “by the spirit,” that is, by the gift of God that Jesus had just received 2 verses earlier. The ancient texts were all capital letters, so it was up to the reader to decide what PNEUMATOS (Spirit or spirit) meant. Because English forces the translator to choose between “Spirit” and “spirit,” or "Holy Spirit" modern translators have to make a decision for the reader and hope to educate the reader via commentary.
Actually, in this case, it is likely that both “Spirit” and “spirit” are true, and this is an example of the figure of speech amphibologia, where there are two meanings, both of them true. God, the Spirit, led Jesus into the desert, communicating and leading him “by the spirit,” just as He had done for millennia with Moses, Joshua, David, and the prophets and prophetesses. What actually happened was that Jesus was led “by the Spirit by the spirit.” This clarifies some misunderstandings of holy scriptures, but it requires deep research and good translations. Consider the Revised English Version (REV), which often includes commentary for challenging verses. While difficult, grappling with these complexities can lead to a deeper understanding of the truth.
Here are some examples of Satan's role in evil. However, hardship should be normalized, as free will allows for both good and evil choices (obedience and disobedience). It's important to note that the Old Testament doesn't explicitly mention the war between good and evil in heaven. This concept is revealed later in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. Therefore, people in the Old Testament might have attributed their suffering to God, while it could have been the influence of the Devil tempting them away from God's plan. It's also worth noting that God calls and appoints specific people to pave the way for the coming of the Messiah.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the control of the Wicked One.
John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
Acts 10:38 Jesus, the one from Nazareth—how God anointed him with holy spirit and with power, and he went around doing good and healing all those who were being oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.
Judges 2:11-13 Then the children of Israel did what was evil in the eyes of Yahweh, and served the Baals, and they forsook Yahweh the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them; and they made Yahweh angry. They forsook Yahweh and served Baal and the Ashtaroths.
Acts 14:21-23 And when they had proclaimed the good news in that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch of Pisidia, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that we cannot avoid going through many hardships on our way into the Kingdom of God.
John 16:33 I have told you these things so that, in union with me, you have peace. In the world you will have hardships, but have courage; I have overcome the world.”
Hebrews 1:36-38 And others experienced mockings and floggings, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were murdered with the sword, they went around in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, mistreated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains, and hiding in caves and the holes in the ground.
Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose and tore his cloak and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh.” In all this Job did not sin nor did he charge God with wrongdoing.
Job 2:7-10 (Satan is responsible of Job misfortune) So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh and struck Job with painful sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. But he said to her, “You are speaking like one of the godless women would speak. What? Should we accept good at the hand of God but not accept evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Luke 10:17-18 (Satan or the Adversary accusing humans in the court of heaven, he was cast down to aid his brothers being cast out or exorcist that explain why many was possessed) And the 72 returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” And he said to them, “I saw the Adversary falling like lightning from heaven.
Mark 5:9 (Legion was a large unit in the Roman army, typically numbering around 5,000 soldiers. By using this term, the Gospel implies a vast number of demons inhabiting the possessed man) And he asked him, “What is your name?” And he said to him, “My name is Legion, because we are many.”
Matthew 43-45 (A demon commonly as aid from more demons to afflict the same person) “Now when an unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places, seeking a resting place, and yet does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will go back to my house from which I left,’ and when it comes, it finds the house empty, having been swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter in and live there; and the last condition of that person becomes worse than the first. This is also how it will be with this evil generation.”
Luke 10:23-24 And turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see the things that you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things that you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things that you hear, and did not hear them.”
Ruth 1:20 (She became bitter because the death of her Husband and sons. but we should learn from the New Testament that there is a furious war going on between Good and Evil, and God does not cause harm to believers. The New Testament lesson is that it is wrong to blame God for evil and misfortune; those things come from the Devil) She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for El Shaddai has dealt very bitterly with me.
Romans 8:28 Now we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him—for those who are the called ones in accordance with his purpose
Thank you for reading until the end
submitted by Appropriate-Novel282 to exIglesiaNiCristo [link] [comments]
In Isaiah 45:7 “I make peace and create evil.” God does not “create evil.” That would be against His character and contradict the fact that He is love. Love and evil are mutually exclusive. This is the common Semitic “idiom of permission,” in which God is said to actively do something that He was only related to in some way. In this case, when God created the earth and created humankind to live on it, and gave humans (and spirit beings such as angels) freedom of will, He “created” the possibility of evil.
God gave people free will, and also gave them laws, rules, and norms that made a distinction between good and evil. Thus, when spirit beings or humans used the free will that God gave them and did evil, by the Semitic “idiom of permission” God was said to have caused the evil.
Another example of the idiom of permission is found in Job 2:10. The Devil, or the Accuser, tells God that Job has remained righteous only because he is under God's protection. Here, God allows Satan to afflict Job, resulting in the loss of his livelihood and children. It's important to understand that the Devil is often the source of division and throughout the Old and New Testaments, people are given the choice to obey or disobey based on free will.
In the case of Pharaoh in Exodus, God asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. At that point, Pharaoh could have said, “Okay,” and let them go, and he and Egypt would have been unhurt, and even blessed for obeying God. But God’s demand forced Pharaoh to make a choice: he could either let God’s people go, or he could harden his heart and say, “No,” which is what he did. As Pharaoh continued to say “No,” time after time, God put more and more pressure on him in the form of plagues that affected the land and people of Egypt. As the intensity of the plagues increased and there was more and more damage to Egypt and the Egyptians, Pharaoh’s heart had to become harder and harder in order for him to keep saying “No” to God’s request to release the Israelites. But God was not the problem; Pharaoh was the problem. However, because God was the one making the request and putting the pressure on Pharaoh, the Semitic idiom of permission is expressed by the phrase “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” It simply means that God acted in such a way that Pharaoh had to harden his heart to resist God. God did not harden Pharaoh’s heart, Pharaoh hardened his own heart because he did not want to obey God’s request.
We use the same kind of idiom in English. If a person does something that upsets us, we might say to them, “You made me mad.” But the person did not actually “make” us mad; anger was our personal response to what the person did to us. Someone else may have the same thing happen to them as happened to us but not get angry at all. So, when we say, “You made me mad,” we are using an idiom that expresses that anger was our response to what someone else did. A trained psychologist would not say, “You made me mad,” they would say, “I responded with anger when you did what you did.”
It was due to his understanding of the Semitic idiom of permission that Joseph Rotherham, in his Emphasized Bible, translated Exodus 4:21 as, “I will let his heart wax bold,” rather than “I will harden his heart.” The literal truth of what was going on with Pharaoh is stated in Exodus 9:34, that he hardened his own heart. God is love. He does not do evil. But because He created people with free will, and because He set laws and norms in place that require people to live righteous lives, when people do evil it is often, via the Semitic idiom of permission, spoken of as if God was the one who did the evil.
In Mathew 4:1 “by the spirit.” The Greek text reads, hupo tou pneumatos (ὑπὸ τοῦ πνεύματος), using the preposition hupo followed by “the spirit,” in the genitive case. Thus here, hupo denotes agency and tells us that Jesus was led “by” the spirit. It is difficult to decide whether we should say “by the Spirit,” i.e. “by God;” or “by the spirit,” that is, by the gift of God that Jesus had just received 2 verses earlier. The ancient texts were all capital letters, so it was up to the reader to decide what PNEUMATOS (Spirit or spirit) meant. Because English forces the translator to choose between “Spirit” and “spirit,” or "Holy Spirit" modern translators have to make a decision for the reader and hope to educate the reader via commentary.
Actually, in this case, it is likely that both “Spirit” and “spirit” are true, and this is an example of the figure of speech amphibologia, where there are two meanings, both of them true. God, the Spirit, led Jesus into the desert, communicating and leading him “by the spirit,” just as He had done for millennia with Moses, Joshua, David, and the prophets and prophetesses. What actually happened was that Jesus was led “by the Spirit by the spirit.” This clarifies some misunderstandings of holy scriptures, but it requires deep research and good translations. Consider the Revised English Version (REV), which often includes commentary for challenging verses. While difficult, grappling with these complexities can lead to a deeper understanding of the truth.
Here are some examples of Satan's role in evil. However, hardship should be normalized, as free will allows for both good and evil choices (obedience and disobedience). It's important to note that the Old Testament doesn't explicitly mention the war between good and evil in heaven. This concept is revealed later in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. Therefore, people in the Old Testament might have attributed their suffering to God, while it could have been the influence of the Devil tempting them away from God's plan. It's also worth noting that God calls and appoints specific people to pave the way for the coming of the Messiah.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the control of the Wicked One.
John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
Acts 10:38 Jesus, the one from Nazareth—how God anointed him with holy spirit and with power, and he went around doing good and healing all those who were being oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.
Judges 2:11-13 Then the children of Israel did what was evil in the eyes of Yahweh, and served the Baals, and they forsook Yahweh the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them; and they made Yahweh angry. They forsook Yahweh and served Baal and the Ashtaroths.
Acts 14:21-23 And when they had proclaimed the good news in that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch of Pisidia, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that we cannot avoid going through many hardships on our way into the Kingdom of God.
John 16:33 I have told you these things so that, in union with me, you have peace. In the world you will have hardships, but have courage; I have overcome the world.”
Hebrews 1:36-38 And others experienced mockings and floggings, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were murdered with the sword, they went around in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, mistreated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains, and hiding in caves and the holes in the ground.
Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose and tore his cloak and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh.” In all this Job did not sin nor did he charge God with wrongdoing.
Job 2:7-10 (Satan is responsible of Job misfortune) So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh and struck Job with painful sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. But he said to her, “You are speaking like one of the godless women would speak. What? Should we accept good at the hand of God but not accept evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Luke 10:17-18 (Satan or the Adversary accusing humans in the court of heaven, he was cast down to aid his brothers being cast out or exorcist that explain why many was possessed) And the 72 returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” And he said to them, “I saw the Adversary falling like lightning from heaven.
Mark 5:9 (Legion was a large unit in the Roman army, typically numbering around 5,000 soldiers. By using this term, the Gospel implies a vast number of demons inhabiting the possessed man) And he asked him, “What is your name?” And he said to him, “My name is Legion, because we are many.”
Matthew 43-45 (A demon commonly as aid from more demons to afflict the same person) “Now when an unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places, seeking a resting place, and yet does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will go back to my house from which I left,’ and when it comes, it finds the house empty, having been swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter in and live there; and the last condition of that person becomes worse than the first. This is also how it will be with this evil generation.”
Luke 10:23-24 And turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see the things that you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things that you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things that you hear, and did not hear them.”
Ruth 1:20 (She became bitter because the death of her Husband and sons. but we should learn from the New Testament that there is a furious war going on between Good and Evil, and God does not cause harm to believers. The New Testament lesson is that it is wrong to blame God for evil and misfortune; those things come from the Devil) She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for El Shaddai has dealt very bitterly with me.
Romans 8:28 Now we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him—for those who are the called ones in accordance with his purpose
Thank you for reading until the end
2024.05.26 07:04 Count-Daring243 Best Cycling Neck Gaiter
 | submitted by Count-Daring243 to u/Count-Daring243 [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/az0j3j5sdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5737a2042a3e7e72ad239b7aefa90db54f551206 Gear up for your next cycling adventure with our top picks for cycling neck gaiters. These versatile accessories not only protect your neck from the harsh elements but also enhance your cycling experience. Our roundup features a variety of options to suit different preferences and budgets, ensuring you'll find the perfect neck gaiter to keep you comfortable and safe on the road. The Top 20 Best Cycling Neck Gaiter
Reviews🔗Unisex Multi-Sport Reversible Pattern Neck Gaiterhttps://preview.redd.it/ullooqpsdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19153eefd0d1fea708f0a1ee4a4f3cbc3fc59e86 The Smartwool Merino 250 Reversible Pattern Neck Gaiter has become an essential piece in my winter gear collection. Not only does it keep my neck warm and dry, but it also provides a clean, bulk-free fit that makes it perfect for layering under a hat or hood. The reversible design is a great touch, giving me the option to change up my look depending on my mood. Having tried the gaiter in a variety of winter activities, I've found it to be versatile and suitable for different conditions. The heavier, soft 100% Merino wool fabric ensures breathtaking warmth, which I appreciate during long, freezing walks. Despite being a thicker material, it never feels bulky or uncomfortable, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a close-to-the-skin fit. However, one downside I've noticed is the thickness of the gaiter in colder conditions. While it does provide ample warmth, I've found it challenging to breathe through the fabric when the temperature drops significantly. This has led me to wear it more as a balaclava, which covers my entire head and face, rather than just my neck. Overall, the Smartwool Merino 250 Reversible Pattern Neck Gaiter is a high-quality, versatile piece of winter gear that I recommend for those looking to stay cozy during cold bouts. While it may not always provide the best breathability in extreme cold, the unique features and high-quality materials make it a worthy addition to any winter wear collection. 🔗Blackstrap The Tube Gaiter: Antimicrobial, UPF 50+, Stretchable Neck Gaiter for All-Season Comforthttps://preview.redd.it/9zbpi42tdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fbbc50ec708455ac80402f25d1b258b3b2db1b2e I recently tried out the BlackStrap Tube Tie Dye Teal, and I must say, it impressed me. Wearing this gaiter while skiing or snowboarding not only kept me warm in the freezing cold temperatures, but it was also incredibly wind resistant, making it perfect for those blustery days on the slopes. The stretchable and UPF-rated material was a game changer, allowing me to wear it comfortably under my helmet without any restrictions. The antimicrobial finish was an added bonus, keeping my face feeling fresh even after wearing it all day. What's more, the fun, dye-infused color was a style statement that made me stand out among the crowd. Though it might not be suitable for the coldest of nights, it's definitely top on my list for daytime skiing adventures. 🔗Snow Sport Comfort: Neck Warmer for Extra Cold Weatherhttps://preview.redd.it/xiu40ogtdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aab4d6a28cf0733d411849eff7b786d50f9f554d I recently tried the Klim Neck Warmer in Hi-Vis and it exceeded my expectations. The soft, comfortable material wrapped around my neck like a warm hug on a chilly day, providing both wind resistance and breathability. The 4-way stretch feature made it easy to adjust and find the perfect fit. One thing that stood out to me was the flat seams, which added extra comfort and prevented any discomfort from rubbing against my skin. I also appreciated the elastic binding, which kept the neck warmer securely in place even during my most intense outdoor activities. However, I did notice that the neck warmer was a bit too long for my personal preference, causing it to bunch up around my chin. Additionally, it seemed to be tailored more for larger heads, which made it a bit snug on my smaller frame. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Klim Neck Warmer in Hi-Vis proved to be a reliable and comfortable addition to my cold-weather gear arsenal. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in search of a high-quality neck gaiter for their winter adventures. 🔗North Face Recycled Fleece Wind-Resistant Gaiter for Outdoor Adventures: Select Colorshttps://preview.redd.it/r166bsttdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4546aa0a3374a2687d58093daf37a2ea6b0b64b8 The North Face Whimsy Powder Gaiter has become my go-to accessory during chilly outdoor activities. Its adjustable fit allows me to achieve full coverage around my neck and face, ensuring I stay warm and protected from the elements. The wind-resistant fabric covering the top and bottom openings is a game-changer, providing a barrier against frosty gusts while I ski or ride. I particularly appreciate the product's inclusivity, with select prints and colors designed to promote accessibility within snowsports. The overall quality and structure of the gaiter feel sturdy and well-made, making it easy to wear and forget about. However, I must mention a minor drawback: the gaiter's somewhat rigid structure makes it challenging to put on initially, especially when wearing a toque underneath. While the cinch feature is useful, I've found that the product's structure alone is enough to keep it in place most of the time. In conclusion, The North Face Whimsy Powder Gaiter stands out as a reliable and comfortable cold-weather accessory that combines wind protection and warmth. With its well-thought-out design and inclusive approach, it's a great addition to any winter sports enthusiast's kit. 🔗Stylish Polar Fleece Balaclava for Outdoor Activitieshttps://preview.redd.it/1iqbopcudp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=07c5ea5dfbd7b6199397f60d6b6ab334757e4716 This Stoic Polar Fleece Neck Balaclava in violet indigo is an incredibly versatile piece of gear for the winter enthusiast. The 100% polyester material offers a snug fit that's perfect for pairing with helmets during skiing, snowboarding, and hiking adventures. However, its massive size might pose a challenge for some users, especially those with larger heads. Despite this minor drawback, the balaclava's warmth, comfort, and distinctive look make it a must-have for those who want to stay cozy and protected in chilly weather. 🔗Windproof Cycling Neck Gaiterhttps://preview.redd.it/dswr9mmudp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f124f6006f0c6f3c9cae58ffe82b695f2c3c21ce During winter, I'm always on the lookout for a reliable neck warmer to keep the cold wind at bay. That's why I decided to try the B BINMEFVN Polar Fleece Neck Warmer. It was a game-changer for me. Not only did it provide the necessary warmth I needed, but it was also super versatile. I particularly loved the wind resistance feature, which was ideal for skiing, snowboarding, motorcycling, and running outside in the chilly weather. The Neck Warmer also worked great during my daily outdoor activities like cycling and trekking. However, there was one negative aspect to the product. It would have been perfect if it also protected me from the cold while fishing or hunting. Nonetheless, the 1 or 2 Pack offer made it a worthwhile purchase. And to add a personal touch, B BINMEFVN is all about pursuing change and continuously innovating its products, so I'm excited to see what they come up with next. 🔗Soft, Warm, Multi-Functional Merino Wool Cycling Neck Gaiter for Comfortable Outdoor Adventureshttps://preview.redd.it/d5h3u1yudp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=66f2890325b8cc53a3feb29007d30ef4d4841f22 As a regular winter sports enthusiast, I've really appreciated the Meriwool Neck Warmer Gaiter this season. The 100% all natural and soft-to-touch merino wool gives a plush, comfortable feeling that is both itch-free and breathable. The base layer fabric provides insulation, protecting me from harsh weather conditions and keeping me warm. One of the best features, is that the gaiter is multi-functional – it can be worn as a scarf, mask, ear warmer, or headband. The unisex design also makes it suitable for both men and women. Hand washing and tumble drying it on low heat with similar colors means it's easy to maintain, so I'm still able to use it after every outing, keeping me fresh and odor-free. Being out in the cold for prolonged periods can take its toll on skin, but the Meriwool Neck Warmer Gaiter has been a game-changer for me. Its anti-bacterial and odor-resistant properties keep me dry, and the natural wool fibers have a moisture-wicking ability, regulating humidity on my skin. Overall, this neck gaiter is an essential accessory for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors in the winter season. Whether it’s hiking, camping, skiing, or snowboarding, it's become my go-to choice for outdoor sporting activities. 🔗Warm and Versatile Winter Neck Gaiterhttps://preview.redd.it/8kc5quhvdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=143aa0e6ca9b914c296c49a518a416ea730cdace Recently, I had the chance to try out the KGC 2 Pack Winter Neck Warmer Gaiter, and I must say, it's a fantastic accessory for all types of cold-weather outdoor activities. The first thing that stood out to me was the soft, warm material made of a blend of polyester and spandex. It feels incredibly comfortable on your face and neck, keeping me toasty even on the frostiest of days. One of the things I appreciated the most was its versatility - it can be used as a neck warmer, face cover, half balaclava, beanie, ski mask, pirate hat, or even just a regular old scarf or used as a ski helmet liner. It's perfect for those who like to stay warm and stylish during their snowy adventures. The neck warmer also boasts a one-size-fits-most design, with the face scarf measuring in at 24x32cm, and its elastic fabric stretching up to 40cm. This makes it suitable for both men and women, and its four-needle six-thread sewing seams ensure it's durable enough to withstand the elements. While I loved the product, I did notice that it could be a bit tricky to get the sizing just right. It might take a bit of adjusting to ensure it fits properly and provides the best level of warmth, but once I figured it out, I was good to go. All in all, the KGC 2 Pack Winter Neck Warmer Gaiter is a fantastic cold-weather accessory that's soft, warm, and versatile. It's perfect for any outdoor enthusiast looking to stay cozy and stylish during their snowy adventures. 🔗Stay Warm with Blenders Flash/Midnight Neck Gaiterhttps://preview.redd.it/brbz4rpvdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cef505d14683e5dce137eec7f6830d5c3c95ee5b Staying cozy and stylish on the slopes has never been easier with Blenders' Flash/Midnight Neck Gaiters. These one-size-fits-most polyester mesh neck gaiters offer not just warmth, but moisture-wicking and anti-microbial properties as well. Their vibrant colors and reversible pattern make your outdoor adventures that much more fun! With a 40+ Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating, you can stay safe from the sun's harmful rays while enjoying the great outdoors. Despite its comfortable and cozy design, the gaiter might not stay in place as well as you'd hoped. Some reviewers mentioned it falling off or being a bit too loose to wear comfortably. However, this shouldn't deter you from embracing the vibrant colors and warmth that this gaiter offers. Wear it in style and face the cold weather with confidence! 🔗Comfortable Cold Weather Neck Gaiter for Men & Womenhttps://preview.redd.it/6wssdw3wdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb7b7f9a0e258185abf833fc1f5b62af945352b6 Wearing this Tough Headwear Neck Warmer was like being wrapped in a cozy hug! . Made from butter fleece, it felt incredibly soft and smooth against my skin. As a city dweller, I wasn't used to skiing, but this face cover was perfect for the outdoors. It kept me warm during the coldest winter days, thanks to its moisture-wicking microfiber layer. Despite being made in China, its care instructions were clear, and I was glad to take proper care of my favorite gaiter. 🔗Versatile Neck Gaiter for Outdoor Activitieshttps://preview.redd.it/dm64nsjwdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13bf41eed36fc7936f9d529bc79c148ce27f9082 I recently had the chance to test out the Nextour Headwear, a versatile 12-in-1 sports accessory designed for various outdoor activities. This headwear range is perfect for both casual users and fitness enthusiasts - I even found myself using it for fishing! One of the standout features was its seamless, stretchable design. The lightweight material allowed for a comfortable and snug fit, even on long hikes. Moreover, it was breathable, keeping my head cool and dry, even on hot summer days. However, I do have to mention that after repeated use, the headwear would slightly roll up on the edges. Although it might seem like a minor issue, it doesn't compromise the overall quality of the product. The 100% Polyester Microfiber used is high-performance, ensuring no quality problems. In conclusion, the Nextour Headwear is an excellent all-in-one accessory for those looking to stay comfortable and protected in various outdoor conditions, making it a great gift for any occasion. 🔗Versatile Cycling Neck Gaiter: UV Protection and Multiple Wear Styleshttps://preview.redd.it/lisn8ezwdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ba51ff7a3cbe201f9d3a637835c852a59a19dfb I recently got my hands on the TERNNK Neck Gaiter Shield Scarf Bandana Face Mask, and I must say, it's been a game-changer for me while cycling on hot summer days. The seamless design of the gaiter makes it super comfortable to wear and keeps me feeling cool while protecting me from the sun's harmful rays. The elastic closure ensures a perfect fit for both adults and children alike, making it a versatile accessory for various activities like hiking, running, and even motorcycling. I've used it as a neck warmer, headband, and face mask, and it's worked like a charm in all these scenarios. The 100% polyester material feels lightweight and breathable, which is perfect for those long rides or outdoor adventures. However, I did notice that the seamless design can sometimes make it difficult to adjust the fit perfectly. But overall, the pros far outweigh the cons, and I highly recommend this versatile neck gaiter for anyone looking to stay protected and comfortable during their outdoor activities. 🔗Warmth and Comfort Neck Guards for Inner Layershttps://preview.redd.it/9wtw5lcxdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d5979677353e062531a51600dffc4f4b8f000a87 I recently tried the Arctix Adult Neck Guard, and I must say, it's a perfect addition to my winter gear collection. Designed to provide superior warmth and comfort, this neck guard effortlessly keeps out those pesky chills. Plus, it's incredibly flexible, making it easy to adjust for an accurate, comfortable fit. But it's not just about the warmth and fit – the Arctix Neck Guard has been rigorously tested in extreme winter weather to ensure it can truly withstand the harshest elements. It's even been proven to protect against these harsh conditions, giving me the confidence to face whatever winter throws my way. The classic fit of the Arctix Neck Guard paired with its machine washable feature makes it a seamless addition to my winter wardrobe. Its softness may be deceptive, but it's as tough as it is comfy. Although it's not specifically designed for cycling, it still serves as an excellent neck gaiter for those chilly rides. The only downside I've noticed is that it tends to be a bit snug, but once you find your perfect fit, it's a game-changer for those cold days. 🔗Versatile Cycling Neck Gaiter for All-Weather Comforthttps://preview.redd.it/serp79vxdp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=07a439127405181f587a678e3a1b12dd4bf92268 The Mission Made Neck Gaiter is a versatile and functional piece of gear that can be worn in numerous ways. It's soft and breathable, making it perfect for a variety of environments and activities. I've used it as a sun guard, a balaclava, and even a face mask, and it's held up well each time. The UPF30+ sun protection rating is a welcome feature, especially when spending long hours in the sun. However, I did notice that it seems to fray or collect fuzz after a week or so of use, which may affect its durability. Overall, it's a great product for those looking for a convenient and comfortable way to protect their skin from the elements. 🔗Midweight Therma Tube Splatcam Khaki: Cycling Neck Gaiter with Helmet Compatibilityhttps://preview.redd.it/pptvuj6ydp2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ec2ff143324b86642b78c10cefa4da4c6e9e2bf The BlackStrap Therma Tube Splatcam Khaki is a must-have for those seeking warmth and protection while skiing, snowboarding, and spending time in the outdoors. Made with a soft brushed midweight fabric, this neck gaiter provides both comfort and style. Its four-way stretch fabric allows for added mobility and helmet compatibility, making it an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the highlights of this Therma Tube is its UPF 50+ (UV) sun protection rating, ensuring you stay safe from the sun's harmful rays. This midweight neck gaiter is also wind-resistant, providing an extra layer of protection against the elements. Its ergonomic design easily fits under a helmet, and its moisture-wicking properties ensure that you stay dry and comfortable throughout your day. While using the Therma Tube, I noticed that it was easy to put on and stay in place, even when wearing a helmet. The combination of its soft inner layer and stretchy fabric allows for a snug fit without feeling too tight. However, I did find that it can bunch up around the mouth when talking a lot, which is something to be aware of. The BlackStrap Therma Tube Splatcam Khaki is a high-quality product that is well-made and boasts a reasonable price. It's made in the USA and comes with a one-year limited manufacturer warranty. With its combination of style, comfort, and functionality, this neck gaiter is worth the investment for anyone who spends time outdoors in cold weather. Buyer's GuideCycling neck gaiters, also known as Buffs or neck tubes, are versatile accessories designed to keep your neck, face, and head protected and comfortable during cycling. These products are not only fashionable but also functional, offering great features and benefits to cyclists. This buyer's guide section covers important factors to consider when purchasing a cycling neck gaiter.Materials and FabricWhen choosing a cycling neck gaiter, consider the materials and fabrics used. Some common options include synthetic blends, natural fibers, and merino wool. Selecting a gaiter made of quick-dry, lightweight, and breathable materials is essential for cycling activities. Also, look for UV protection, as it prevents sunburn and reduces eye strain during long hours on the bike. https://preview.redd.it/cfe9cq91ep2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4c8fff70ad976faa49073161e4d0c7a1aae5b74a Comfort and FitA cycling neck gaiter should be comfortable and have a proper fit to ensure maximum efficiency and protection. Most neck gaiters are adjustable, allowing for flexibility in fit and coverage. The gaiter should be seamless and not too tight or too loose around the neck, ensuring an even comfortable fit during your cycling adventures.Insulation and Thermal PropertiesDepending on your cycling location and weather conditions, insulation and thermal properties are essential in a neck gaiter. Some neck gaiters are specifically designed for cold weather, featuring inner and outer layers to ensure warmth and protection from the elements. Others are designed for warmer conditions, focusing on moisture-wicking and breathability to keep you cool and comfortable on hot days.Functionality and VersatilityA great cycling neck gaiter should offer versatility in function. It should provide protection from the sun, cold, wind, and dust while also allowing easy breathing and moisture management. Some products can be worn as headwear, face masks, or even bead buffers, making them a valuable accessory for any active cyclist. https://preview.redd.it/gn7whh92ep2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db2ae44d115587648076a61720ec2485a1b11bab Durability and LongevityQuality, durable materials will ensure your cycling neck gaiter lasts for a long time. Look for gaiters with reinforced seams and stitching, as well as a strong drawcord that won't break easily. Proper care and maintenance, such as hand-washing and air-drying, can also contribute to a long lifespan of your neck gaiter.Design and AestheticsFinally, cycling neck gaiters come in various designs and aesthetics, which can add a personal touch to your cycling wardrobe. Many gaiters offer a variety of color options, patterns, or even branded designs that suit personal preferences. When choosing a design, consider factors such as sun coverage, color contrast, and compatibility with other cycling gear.Safety and Quality StandardsLastly, ensure the cycling neck gaiter you choose meets quality and safety standards. Look for products that are compliant with local and international manufacturing and testing guidelines, ensuring that the gaiter is safe for use. Additionally, consider the manufacturer's reputation and customer reviews to gauge the reliability of the product. https://preview.redd.it/saws14j2ep2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0c1c0da972638e4826ed1ef1b27abdfced87b52 FAQWhat is a cycling neck gaiter?A cycling neck gaiter is a versatile and convenient accessory that cyclists use to stay comfortable during their rides. It typically has a snug, elasticated fit that allows it to be worn around the neck, head, or even as a headband. It is designed to keep your neck and head warm, protect against wind and sun exposure, and can even wick away sweat to keep you dry.What are the benefits of using a cycling neck gaiter?There are several benefits of using a cycling neck gaiter: - Provides warmth and protection against wind and sun exposure
https://preview.redd.it/2vmqv533ep2d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=390301fdf75dd8ecb1c8e6c08af7133d5d2e4ec0 Can I machine wash a cycling neck gaiter?Yes, most cycling neck gaiters can be machine washed. Check the label or manufacturer's instructions for the specific care requirements. In most cases, you can wash it with a gentle cycle and detergent, then tumble dry it on low heat or air dry it to maintain the shape and functionality.What materials are used to make cycling neck gaiters?Cycling neck gaiters are typically made from moisture-wicking, quick-drying materials such as polyester or nylon blends. Some may also contain spandex or elastane for added stretch and comfort. These materials make the neck gaiter lightweight, breathable, and easy to wear during activities like cycling.How do I properly care for my cycling neck gaiter?
What sizes are available for cycling neck gaiters?Cycling neck gaiters come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different head sizes. Brands may offer sizes in small, medium, large, and even youth sizes, or use a specific sizing chart to help you find the best fit. It's essential to select the correct size to ensure the neck gaiter fits snugly but comfortably and provides optimal performance.Can a cycling neck gaiter serve other purposes besides cycling?Yes, cycling neck gaiters are not limited to use during cycling activities. They can also be worn as a headband, beanie, or even a face mask in certain situations. This versatility makes them a valuable addition to an outdoor enthusiast's gear arsenal.What are some popular brands for cycling neck gaiters?Popular brands for cycling neck gaiters include Buff, Giro, Castelli, Louis Garneau, and PINCHwORX. These brands offer a range of styles, sizes, and features to suit various cycling needs and preferences.As an Amazon™ Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. |
2024.05.26 07:03 Jealous-Ant-6197 Medical neglect
I am not sure how to start off a post because I've never really posted before, so I'll just get to the point. Sorry this is quite long, there's a TLDR at the bottom.
⚠️Content warning: medical neglect, racism
I was diagnosed with asthma as a pre-teen and I am an adult now. I've had a couple of asthma attacks over the years but they've all been mild to moderate. I've only ever been to the emergency department once for it, although that time I did also experience a doctor arguing with my mum about wether or not I could actually breathe. A couple days ago I had a slow onset asthma attack and ended up being referred to the ER by 111. As I've said, I've been through this before and I've also been to the ER with my mum for her asthma, so I am quite aware of all of the fast acting treatments that are available for urgent treatment. When I arrived, I was in the middle of a severe asthma attack, wheezing loudly, shaking and unable to talk and was literally ignored by every staff member in the ER. Most nurses did not even bother making eye contact with me and literally waved their hand at me to go away, or just walked past me. I blacked out briefly in the hallway because I could breathe (obviously) and still got no help. I could've fallen and hurt myself if I had not been close to the handrails. The receptionist kept telling me to speak louder after I made it clear I couldn't breathe, and I had to resort (with great effort) to typing on my phone instead. I kept asking for urgent treatment to help me breathe and made it known my inhaler was not working but they just kept telling me to use it which I already was. There was also clearly racism going on as every time I asked for medication, the staff frowned and said I already had my inhaler, and did not believe me when I tried to explain that it was not working. Along with being black, I also have an alternative appearance which usually doesn't give me the best reception, but this was horrible. They treated me as if I was just looking for drugs. By the time I was triaged, after over an hour, the attack had calmed down so my vitals came out almost normal. This resulted in me not being taken seriously, and I still couldn't talk as my throat was closed up so I could barely explain what happened. I eneded up leaving with no treatment, and am now still struggling to breathe but my gp is not open currently so there is nothing I can do. The wait was 10 hours and the receptionist literally tried to gaslight me that I had only been waiting 2 and a half hours even though I had been waiting 4. I understand the pressure on the NHS staff, but I shouldn't have been waiting that long anyways because breathing issues are urgent and should be prioritised. If I have another worse asthma attack I am really scared I will be treated the same way and I know asthma can cause long term lung damage or even be fatal. I'm a student so this is affected my exam period as well. Its insane that someone can be clearly suffocating in a hospital and recieve no help. This is obviously a rant, I filed a formal complaint which I am not expecting much from but maybe it will change their attitudes for others in the future.
TLDR; I went to the ER for a severe asthma attack and was completely ignored the whole time. Now I am worried about future, worse attacks and not being able to get help.
Additional note: I am very skeptical of pulse oximeters as they have been proven to work significantly less effectively on darker skinned people, which I am. They can overestimate the blood oxygen level, which I think happened here because I still definitely couldn't breathe.
submitted by Jealous-Ant-6197 to Asthma [link] [comments]
⚠️Content warning: medical neglect, racism
I was diagnosed with asthma as a pre-teen and I am an adult now. I've had a couple of asthma attacks over the years but they've all been mild to moderate. I've only ever been to the emergency department once for it, although that time I did also experience a doctor arguing with my mum about wether or not I could actually breathe. A couple days ago I had a slow onset asthma attack and ended up being referred to the ER by 111. As I've said, I've been through this before and I've also been to the ER with my mum for her asthma, so I am quite aware of all of the fast acting treatments that are available for urgent treatment. When I arrived, I was in the middle of a severe asthma attack, wheezing loudly, shaking and unable to talk and was literally ignored by every staff member in the ER. Most nurses did not even bother making eye contact with me and literally waved their hand at me to go away, or just walked past me. I blacked out briefly in the hallway because I could breathe (obviously) and still got no help. I could've fallen and hurt myself if I had not been close to the handrails. The receptionist kept telling me to speak louder after I made it clear I couldn't breathe, and I had to resort (with great effort) to typing on my phone instead. I kept asking for urgent treatment to help me breathe and made it known my inhaler was not working but they just kept telling me to use it which I already was. There was also clearly racism going on as every time I asked for medication, the staff frowned and said I already had my inhaler, and did not believe me when I tried to explain that it was not working. Along with being black, I also have an alternative appearance which usually doesn't give me the best reception, but this was horrible. They treated me as if I was just looking for drugs. By the time I was triaged, after over an hour, the attack had calmed down so my vitals came out almost normal. This resulted in me not being taken seriously, and I still couldn't talk as my throat was closed up so I could barely explain what happened. I eneded up leaving with no treatment, and am now still struggling to breathe but my gp is not open currently so there is nothing I can do. The wait was 10 hours and the receptionist literally tried to gaslight me that I had only been waiting 2 and a half hours even though I had been waiting 4. I understand the pressure on the NHS staff, but I shouldn't have been waiting that long anyways because breathing issues are urgent and should be prioritised. If I have another worse asthma attack I am really scared I will be treated the same way and I know asthma can cause long term lung damage or even be fatal. I'm a student so this is affected my exam period as well. Its insane that someone can be clearly suffocating in a hospital and recieve no help. This is obviously a rant, I filed a formal complaint which I am not expecting much from but maybe it will change their attitudes for others in the future.
TLDR; I went to the ER for a severe asthma attack and was completely ignored the whole time. Now I am worried about future, worse attacks and not being able to get help.
Additional note: I am very skeptical of pulse oximeters as they have been proven to work significantly less effectively on darker skinned people, which I am. They can overestimate the blood oxygen level, which I think happened here because I still definitely couldn't breathe.
2024.05.26 07:03 korben578 Does this sound like SIBO?
Hey this will be a long one, I have had a year of constant debilitating nausea, retching, acid reflux, severe weight loss, diarrhoea and constipation
I will go into more detail of the symptoms after this explanation.
This all came on when I did a few night shifts, I assumed it was me messing up my sleep so went back to day shifts but the problems hung around, it's still here over a year later.
I was in the UK when it started and was tested by my GP for a full blood count, chrons, colitis, celiac, ibd. They then put me on a year long wait to see a gastro specialist and stuck me on cyclizine.
In the meantime they were sure it was GERD and tried me on many different medications for it. I tried Lansoprasole, Omeprazole, Famotidine, Gaviscon, Nizatidine. All with the same results (no change for around 5 days followed by horrendous stomach cramps to the point where I can't stand up straight or walk. That symptom always went away around 2 days after stopping each h2 or PPI.
So I took the initiative to go back to Australia (my home country) to see a specialist here as the wait was around a week, they ran more bloods, breath and stool samples and ruled out helibactor, parasites, all hormone levels are perfect, all vitamins and nutrients are perfect, liver, kidneys all good.
The specialist said I could have a backed up colon after an x-ray and put me 2 bowel preps, coloxyl with senna, magnesium and prucalopride. After a few weeks of pooing water nothing changed.
He then took me for a gastroscopy where he found my throat was slightly eroded, and where my stomach connects to my intestines is dilated slightly. He has given up at this point and has prescribed me Mirtazapine as he thinks it will help. I think this is a band-aid solution and want to know what is actually wrong. Im not in a position to take it for a few reasons anyway.
Figures for reference: 23 Year Old White Male Croatian, Kiwi, English background, born in Sydney Was 85kg before all these issues, now 65kg 185cm tall Ex Smoker (on and off for years) Do not drink alcohol Was vegan for 3 years, went pescatarian 6 months ago, didn't help the symptoms Was a firefighter before all this in very good shape 10% bodyfat
List of symptoms:
Nausea
Dry Mouth & Sore Throat
GERD-style symptoms (heartburn & tasting stomach acid)
Chest Pain
Tingly sensation in fingers and feet
Stomach Pain
Headaches
IBS-style symptoms (constipation & diarrhoea)
Thinning Hair
Weight Loss
Fatigue
IN DEPTH BELOW:
Nausea:
Debilitating nausea affects me every single day, I can feel a slight betterment to this symptom in the morning maybe for an hour or so and then it becomes worse throughout the day. For most nights I have been taking cyclizine to be able to try and get some hours of sleep, sleeping upright and waking up every few hours.
Dry Mouth & Sore Throat:
I wake up with both symptoms, and I've always and still drink 3L of water each day. It doesn't matter how much I drink I am constantly with a sore throat and dry mouth.
GERD Style Symptoms include heartburn and tastes of stomach acid.
I experience these alongside the nausea, I get heartburn and have to eat in small amounts. I am not hitting my calorie goals throughout the day, I think I am very malnourished and I constantly feel the need to burp but I can't. I also feel the acid come up my throat into my mouth - this happens with the burp too, if I am able to.
Chest Pain:
The chest pain feels like someone sitting on my chest, imagine your dog or child sitting on your chest, that's how I feel most points of the day. I feel short of breath and am almost trying to breathe more because I feel my lung capacity is reduced.
Tingling Sensations:
This doesn't happen every day but probably 3-4 times a week. It lasts for 30-minute bursts and comes along especially when the nausea is bad. It feels like "pins and needles" and comes along with shooting pains from my fingers up my arm. I also experience this in my feet and it goes into my shins.
Stomach Pain:
The stomach pain is in the top right corner, under my rib and it is a dull, intense pain that can last hours. I also get stomach pain in the lower left of my stomach which feels like a generic stomach ache that lasts for an hour or so at a time - this is random and does not correlate with exercise or food.
Headaches:
I have headaches on the left and right temple of my head and it feels like someone is pressing their thumb into my temple. Sometimes, this can feel like my head is being pushed forward from the highest point of the skull at the back of my head. These also travel into my eyebrow/eye area.
Constipation and Diarrhoea:
This is random, with no distinct cause or correlation. Sometimes it is constipation and diarrhoea in the same toilet run. This is ongoing throughout the night too, waking me up and not allowing me to sleep. The left lower side pain I feel (the stomach ache) also accompanies these symptoms. I have to constantly be near a toilet in case of this.
Thinning Hair:
I'm not sure if this is a coincidence but during this time period I have noticed more hair falling out and thinning hair.
Long Healing Times:
I've noticed bruises, cuts or anything else I seem to take a long time to recover whereas, I never used to bruise easily and if I had a cut it'd heal quickly.
Weight Loss:
I assume this is because I've not been able to keep any nutrients or energy in my system but I've lost about 20kg
Fatigue:
I wake up tired, I'm sleeping longer than I have before and wake up exhausted. I am tired throughout the day.
Anything anyone can suggest would be incredible. Or if anyone knows a good Gastro specialist, naturopath, whatever in the Sydney area that is keen to help, bulk billed or private I don't care I just don't want to keep suffering.
Cyclizine helps about 40% in the fact that it stops me gagging and retching but the nausea never goes. Ondansetron doesn't help and makes me feel out of it. Metoclopramide did nothing too with weird sides.
submitted by korben578 to SIBO [link] [comments]
I will go into more detail of the symptoms after this explanation.
This all came on when I did a few night shifts, I assumed it was me messing up my sleep so went back to day shifts but the problems hung around, it's still here over a year later.
I was in the UK when it started and was tested by my GP for a full blood count, chrons, colitis, celiac, ibd. They then put me on a year long wait to see a gastro specialist and stuck me on cyclizine.
In the meantime they were sure it was GERD and tried me on many different medications for it. I tried Lansoprasole, Omeprazole, Famotidine, Gaviscon, Nizatidine. All with the same results (no change for around 5 days followed by horrendous stomach cramps to the point where I can't stand up straight or walk. That symptom always went away around 2 days after stopping each h2 or PPI.
So I took the initiative to go back to Australia (my home country) to see a specialist here as the wait was around a week, they ran more bloods, breath and stool samples and ruled out helibactor, parasites, all hormone levels are perfect, all vitamins and nutrients are perfect, liver, kidneys all good.
The specialist said I could have a backed up colon after an x-ray and put me 2 bowel preps, coloxyl with senna, magnesium and prucalopride. After a few weeks of pooing water nothing changed.
He then took me for a gastroscopy where he found my throat was slightly eroded, and where my stomach connects to my intestines is dilated slightly. He has given up at this point and has prescribed me Mirtazapine as he thinks it will help. I think this is a band-aid solution and want to know what is actually wrong. Im not in a position to take it for a few reasons anyway.
Figures for reference: 23 Year Old White Male Croatian, Kiwi, English background, born in Sydney Was 85kg before all these issues, now 65kg 185cm tall Ex Smoker (on and off for years) Do not drink alcohol Was vegan for 3 years, went pescatarian 6 months ago, didn't help the symptoms Was a firefighter before all this in very good shape 10% bodyfat
List of symptoms:
Nausea
Dry Mouth & Sore Throat
GERD-style symptoms (heartburn & tasting stomach acid)
Chest Pain
Tingly sensation in fingers and feet
Stomach Pain
Headaches
IBS-style symptoms (constipation & diarrhoea)
Thinning Hair
Weight Loss
Fatigue
IN DEPTH BELOW:
Nausea:
Debilitating nausea affects me every single day, I can feel a slight betterment to this symptom in the morning maybe for an hour or so and then it becomes worse throughout the day. For most nights I have been taking cyclizine to be able to try and get some hours of sleep, sleeping upright and waking up every few hours.
Dry Mouth & Sore Throat:
I wake up with both symptoms, and I've always and still drink 3L of water each day. It doesn't matter how much I drink I am constantly with a sore throat and dry mouth.
GERD Style Symptoms include heartburn and tastes of stomach acid.
I experience these alongside the nausea, I get heartburn and have to eat in small amounts. I am not hitting my calorie goals throughout the day, I think I am very malnourished and I constantly feel the need to burp but I can't. I also feel the acid come up my throat into my mouth - this happens with the burp too, if I am able to.
Chest Pain:
The chest pain feels like someone sitting on my chest, imagine your dog or child sitting on your chest, that's how I feel most points of the day. I feel short of breath and am almost trying to breathe more because I feel my lung capacity is reduced.
Tingling Sensations:
This doesn't happen every day but probably 3-4 times a week. It lasts for 30-minute bursts and comes along especially when the nausea is bad. It feels like "pins and needles" and comes along with shooting pains from my fingers up my arm. I also experience this in my feet and it goes into my shins.
Stomach Pain:
The stomach pain is in the top right corner, under my rib and it is a dull, intense pain that can last hours. I also get stomach pain in the lower left of my stomach which feels like a generic stomach ache that lasts for an hour or so at a time - this is random and does not correlate with exercise or food.
Headaches:
I have headaches on the left and right temple of my head and it feels like someone is pressing their thumb into my temple. Sometimes, this can feel like my head is being pushed forward from the highest point of the skull at the back of my head. These also travel into my eyebrow/eye area.
Constipation and Diarrhoea:
This is random, with no distinct cause or correlation. Sometimes it is constipation and diarrhoea in the same toilet run. This is ongoing throughout the night too, waking me up and not allowing me to sleep. The left lower side pain I feel (the stomach ache) also accompanies these symptoms. I have to constantly be near a toilet in case of this.
Thinning Hair:
I'm not sure if this is a coincidence but during this time period I have noticed more hair falling out and thinning hair.
Long Healing Times:
I've noticed bruises, cuts or anything else I seem to take a long time to recover whereas, I never used to bruise easily and if I had a cut it'd heal quickly.
Weight Loss:
I assume this is because I've not been able to keep any nutrients or energy in my system but I've lost about 20kg
Fatigue:
I wake up tired, I'm sleeping longer than I have before and wake up exhausted. I am tired throughout the day.
Anything anyone can suggest would be incredible. Or if anyone knows a good Gastro specialist, naturopath, whatever in the Sydney area that is keen to help, bulk billed or private I don't care I just don't want to keep suffering.
Cyclizine helps about 40% in the fact that it stops me gagging and retching but the nausea never goes. Ondansetron doesn't help and makes me feel out of it. Metoclopramide did nothing too with weird sides.
2024.05.26 07:01 Medium-Remote-9782 [Poem] “Family ties” by Nicole N.
submitted by Medium-Remote-9782 to Poetry [link] [comments]
2024.05.26 06:51 N8_Darksaber1111 Ants are turning people into zombies for global conquest.
Zombie like outbreaks but instead of a virus, it's an alien or mutated species of ant that turns its victims into a mobile nest having cleared out the body of all but the necessary organs and muscles and filled the interior of the carcass with sand and dirt and other nested building material. You're nothing left but muscle skin bone tendons a heart lung and brains completely dependent on the colony to keep you living as you travel from City to City infecting more people increasing the hives population
~~~~~~~~~ Scenario 1.
You see a withered looking husk shambling down the road and as they approach you begin to notice black dots crawling or trailing all over their body. Once they're close enough that you should be able to see details on their face you begin to realize that their bugs but as they get closer and the details get finer you begin to realize that they're not just bugs but that these bugs are crawling in and out of this person's mouth and nose and ears in trails and groups like an active ant hill.
You begin to stumble backwards and start to turn around but before you break your line of sight of them, their mouth drops as a black mass flows out of their mouth in a large swarm of ants pour out into the street and engulf you and you feel them working their way into every hole cutting and chewing and knowing away at you. Your innards, you're intestines, your kidneys and testicles and ovaries devoured or dragged out of your mouth and other orifices, dragged out of their new nest like unwanted drapes and carpeting until you too have been turned into a nest.
Just the sound of them crawling and scratching around inside of your skull and inside of your ears and behind your eyes.
Sometimes they pour out of your mouth to swarm it straight dog or cat, other times you find yourself going to vomit in a trash can only for the ants to come out instead and to drag into you anything they think of as food.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scenario 2.
You have your dog outside at night when the pandemic first started, you're sound asleep until you hear your dog bark and Yelp but when you go outside, it's gone.
2 weeks pass by until you see your dog again; excited you are up to it and you immediately go to hug it but after a moment when the incitement has cleared away just enough, you begin to realize something is wrong.
Your dog reeks of death but that's not the worst of it; Tuffs of fur keep falling off of him every time you go to pet him order rub at him, there's no breath no panting not even the sides of his chest seem to be rising or lowering giving signs of breathing.
The dog just stands there staring at you with a blank expression but that's when you feel it, the crawling across the back of your hand end up and down your arm hair.
You pull your hand away to see it covered in ants as they March rapidly up your arm you go to brush them off but that's when you hear a low dry Dusty growl coming from your dog. You look at them only to see them jump at you and as they give you one massive lick across the face a swarm of ants come charging across like knights upon A drawbridge!
You scream and try to wipe them away as they burrow into your sockets and your dog lunges once more at you taking a large bite out of the side of your chest. The ants pour into the gaping wound and just as quickly begin to patch the hole making quick work on your insides as they construct their new home within you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scenario 3.
Perhaps this random person has found themselves kept alive being farmed by these human ant colonies.
Humans are forced to farm food and reproduce while elderly population are used to feed the colony and people deemed unfit for labor or those who are deemed too dangerous to be kept alive are turned into new nests.
Of course they may also occasionally turn children or parents or your loved ones into nests as a form of punishment or just as a cruel way to remind you they are in charge.
There's no bright side to this movie and it just keeps getting worse.
Maybe the plot ends with this person inevitably being turned into a nest and finding to their horror that they are still conscious even after the prcoess has been completed.
The ants control everything in him yet they preserve his consciousness and if it's not just insanity, it seems as if their scratching in his ears is being done in a rhythmic manner to sound like Whispers tormenting and mocking him, narrating all the Terrible Things they are making him do to his loved ones as he eats his neighbor's kids to sustain The Colony or infects his son to keep his wife in line after she tried pleading with him.
submitted by N8_Darksaber1111 to nosleep [link] [comments]
~~~~~~~~~ Scenario 1.
You see a withered looking husk shambling down the road and as they approach you begin to notice black dots crawling or trailing all over their body. Once they're close enough that you should be able to see details on their face you begin to realize that their bugs but as they get closer and the details get finer you begin to realize that they're not just bugs but that these bugs are crawling in and out of this person's mouth and nose and ears in trails and groups like an active ant hill.
You begin to stumble backwards and start to turn around but before you break your line of sight of them, their mouth drops as a black mass flows out of their mouth in a large swarm of ants pour out into the street and engulf you and you feel them working their way into every hole cutting and chewing and knowing away at you. Your innards, you're intestines, your kidneys and testicles and ovaries devoured or dragged out of your mouth and other orifices, dragged out of their new nest like unwanted drapes and carpeting until you too have been turned into a nest.
Just the sound of them crawling and scratching around inside of your skull and inside of your ears and behind your eyes.
Sometimes they pour out of your mouth to swarm it straight dog or cat, other times you find yourself going to vomit in a trash can only for the ants to come out instead and to drag into you anything they think of as food.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scenario 2.
You have your dog outside at night when the pandemic first started, you're sound asleep until you hear your dog bark and Yelp but when you go outside, it's gone.
2 weeks pass by until you see your dog again; excited you are up to it and you immediately go to hug it but after a moment when the incitement has cleared away just enough, you begin to realize something is wrong.
Your dog reeks of death but that's not the worst of it; Tuffs of fur keep falling off of him every time you go to pet him order rub at him, there's no breath no panting not even the sides of his chest seem to be rising or lowering giving signs of breathing.
The dog just stands there staring at you with a blank expression but that's when you feel it, the crawling across the back of your hand end up and down your arm hair.
You pull your hand away to see it covered in ants as they March rapidly up your arm you go to brush them off but that's when you hear a low dry Dusty growl coming from your dog. You look at them only to see them jump at you and as they give you one massive lick across the face a swarm of ants come charging across like knights upon A drawbridge!
You scream and try to wipe them away as they burrow into your sockets and your dog lunges once more at you taking a large bite out of the side of your chest. The ants pour into the gaping wound and just as quickly begin to patch the hole making quick work on your insides as they construct their new home within you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scenario 3.
Perhaps this random person has found themselves kept alive being farmed by these human ant colonies.
Humans are forced to farm food and reproduce while elderly population are used to feed the colony and people deemed unfit for labor or those who are deemed too dangerous to be kept alive are turned into new nests.
Of course they may also occasionally turn children or parents or your loved ones into nests as a form of punishment or just as a cruel way to remind you they are in charge.
There's no bright side to this movie and it just keeps getting worse.
Maybe the plot ends with this person inevitably being turned into a nest and finding to their horror that they are still conscious even after the prcoess has been completed.
The ants control everything in him yet they preserve his consciousness and if it's not just insanity, it seems as if their scratching in his ears is being done in a rhythmic manner to sound like Whispers tormenting and mocking him, narrating all the Terrible Things they are making him do to his loved ones as he eats his neighbor's kids to sustain The Colony or infects his son to keep his wife in line after she tried pleading with him.
2024.05.26 06:49 Erotes84 Is this normal
 | Hi, I just bought a brand new Cyclops mafex reissue in Amazon for $115.00 which is a deal that seems too good compared to what’s on eBay. submitted by Erotes84 to Mafex [link] [comments] I have Gambit, Psylocke, Jean and Storm and they had fantastic paint apps (Jeans was off in some spots but still good overall). But this Cyclops is an eye sore for me. Am I being over critical, is this normal? -Blue smear on the top of the camera left boot.(not very noticeable in photo) -Scratch on the back of harness. -The heads have blotchy orange hues. -Sloppy yellow on leg straps. -And there is no orange highlight in the yellow anywhere but the center of the butt, it looks like a bad sweat stain. I need perspective, should I return this? Can I use nail polish remover to get the blue off the boots? Help please. |
2024.05.26 06:45 SpoonusBoius Beyond Nostramo (A Kassanda Curze fanfic)
It had been a long time. A long while, indeed, since the hives were removed from Nostramo. In their place came the endless fields of corn, the unwavering sway of the stalks as they rose out of the land. Of course, any person who knew Nostramo knew that this world wasn't truly the Planet of Darkness; it simply shared a name by sheer coincidence. This world was bright, temperate, and fertile. No pollution clogged the rivers and skies, even as bulk machines designed for the sole purpose of moving unimaginable quantities of grain to and fro went about their business. Humanity had learned long ago that the sun was necessary for crops to flourish, so the expense to keep the world clean was made. Nostramo was a world of life. It had to be in order to survive.
Scarecrows, intended to thwart the predations of hungry birds, rose tall above even the crops. They, by themselves, were hardly effective. The birds were too wise to be frightened by inanimate sticks. What was effective, at least for this one tiny part of the world, was the plate the scarecrow had been adorned with. The armor was a faded sapphire, somewhere between the blues of an ocean and the blue of old Nostramo's skies. Yet, the plate was marred with the scars of time. The blue had been worn away by the passage of years with no protection from the elements, and cracks and crevices from battle were many and they were deep. The passage of centuries had only worsened them. Now, it hardly even resembled armor, despite its once-mastercrafted artifice. It was a shadow of its former self. Glory—if the ceramite plates ever truly knew glory—was long gone, now. Rivets that once held pieces of flayed skin and the bones of poor, unfortunate souls now rested happily empty.
There was also a house. It was a simple prefabricated hab unit, only sized up to accommodate a being far larger than any normal human. Time had worn it down, too, but the rockcrete remained strong even as the white paint that once gave it a dash of vibrancy had peeled away and left only a stone gray visage. The roof was little more than a slightly tilted set of squares, designed to remove rain while only necessitating the bare minimum of extra material. Some parts of the unit were splotched with yellow pollen, and an odd vine curled up the side, almost making the place appear rustic.
And a woman emerged. She was tall. Unnervingly so. Even with the enlarged door, she risked slamming her head into the doorframe if she did not exercise caution. Her black hair was tied into a simple braid, though it was long enough to reach the small of her back. Scars—deep ones—crowded the area around her mouth like unwanted guests. Her clothes were simple and unrefined; a plain gray tunic and an unimpressive skirt covered her from her neck to her ankles, leaving only her head and arms exposed. She wore boots underneath it all, but one could only cast small glimpses of them from between the hem of her skirt and the length of the grass she tread upon.
Kassandra Curze was a woman long forgotten. Once, she had been known as the Night Haunter. A long time ago, she had sought justice and enacted it in whichever way she saw fit. Once, she had been seen as a woman who no one could trust. She was a tool to be maintained, to be utilized and then discarded when the work was done. Not any longer. For all anyone knew, the Night Haunter was dead.
She had heard stories, of course, of the Galaxy beyond Nostramo. She knew of her sister Guilliman's return and the wars she fought, how the Avenging Daughter of the Imperium bloodied her hands to keep Mankind safe. Kassandra knew of this. She knew that men and women who called themselves her children died every day, trying to enact the will of a Primarch they believed long dead. Her will.
"Redeem us," she had said. "Protect Mankind."
She sighed as the memories rushed back into her. Yet, despite the pain of those recollections, she spared a half-smile. If she was looking back, it meant she was not looking forward. She had not had a vision in millennia. It was one of many blessings she believed she did not deserve. Yet, she took them, fearing the alternative. Better to bask in rewards unearned than to be soaked in the just punishments. Truthfully, she feared justice. She had no delusions against the reality that, if anyone deserved to be burnt alive or hanged from a rope, it was her.
Yet she still lived. She lived here, by sheer coincidence, on a planet called Nostramo that was not Nostramo. She tended to crops. She repaired bulk movers and operated servo-harvesters. She could predict what the weather in three weeks was going to look like just by smelling the air. Her crops contributed to the war efforts, and she made her contribution to the tithe. She had been doing that for thousands of years. Surely, she had done more for the Imperium than most women could do. Surely she had earned some small piece of redemption, just by staying still and not hurting anyone. Just by eating and drinking alone, without anybody to injure or torture with her presence.
As she made her way toward the field, she whispered to herself, "The Night Haunter is dead."
The stalks were tall enough that they would have surpassed even an armored space marine in height, but she stood a head taller than them. If she looked out while standing in the field, she could see the horizons in all directions, with only a few odd hab units breaking up the perfect solitude of the endless sea of grain. Birds who made their nests amidst the fields swooped around. There were cats who lived in the fields, Kassandra knew. They were put there to hunt the birds, who ate both the crops and the insects who lived on them. She had always wanted to touch one of them, but they refused to draw near, even at the promise of food.
She slipped through the fields with the grace of a butterfly and began to examine the crops. The ones in section 1-A were in good condition. 1-B was struggling with a stalkbeetle infestation. She would have to requistion some pesticide. 1-C was good. 1-D flourished. 1-E was beautiful. She kept going through the sections of her field, scanning for any possible variance, any discrepancy that she needed to be concerned about. The administratum believed that there was a team of ten workers living in her hab unit. They were wrong, but she could do the work of ten men and then still have time left in the day to do other things.
When she finished the final section assigned to her, she departed from the field. She went home. She sat in her empty bedroom (if an empty chamber could be called that) and meditated. She could always feel the pricks of the future gnawing at her mind, trying to force their way in, but something stopped them. Even as her subconscious tried to skim the threads of time, it refused to delve into the deeper waters. Even if she tried to see something, she could not. Her foresight had left her.
Meditation was not something that had come naturally for her. She was once a being who was so utterly lost in her own torment that the idea of any self-reflection physically pained her. When she first struggled with those memories, the attacks had come. Moments where she could not breathe, even though there was air and her superhuman physique should have meant she could have survived even in the vacuum of space. Moments where she felt so small and vulnerable, despite her giant frame and overwhelming strength. Her heart racing even faster than it did in battle because when she was fighting she was in control of herself. When she fought the beast in her mind, she was not in control.
But that hurdle, though it had taken centuries to overcome, was simply an obstacle, and there was no task one of the Emperor's Daughters could not complete. Not that she took any pride in being related to the Emperor, of course; she simply saw the reality.
She opened her eyes. As her mind returned to the sensations of the world, she whispered to herself, "The Night Haunter is dead."
She left her bedroom and went to the kitchen. This was the one luxury she afforded herself, to honor the one person who had ever taken the time to know her. They had loved to bake, so she learned as well. Anyone, given thousands of years with which to practice, would become skilled in any craft.
Soon, the smell of freshly-baked pies and bread wafted out of her open windows. There was no one to smell them, and no one to share them with. She ate alone. Loaves of bread, fruit pies, chocolate tarts, and jams and butters with which to garnish them were all devoured quickly. She could taste every last flavor, could perfect every single modicum of sweetness until it practically melted away in a cloud of bliss, but she never enjoyed this part. It reminded her of all the things she did not have, and then she disliked herself for wanting more mercies than she had already been granted.
Then, when she was done eating and the sun was set, she went to sleep on the floor. Then she woke up the next day.
And she did it all again. Over and over again, without fail, without the slightest instance of change. It was peaceful.
A knock came on her door while she was baking. They called her name, not the false name the governor's inspectors knew her by. It was a woman's voice, boisterous and grizzled. Instantly, she knew who the voice belonged to: Leona El'Jonson. There were other women who sounded like that, but none could match the timbre of the Lion. Kassandra knew it as though the sound were engraved into her very soul.
She pulled a knife from the cabinet. For a normal human, it would have been the size of a longsword.
She whispered to herself as she approached the door slowly, "The Night Haunter is dead."
The door opened, and she saw the Primarch of the First Legion. She was wearing her armor. She was unarmed, however, and she looked... older. Her once pristine blonde hair was flecked with gray. The shadows of wrinkles pulled at her features, like a normal woman in her late thirties. And the steel daggers her eyes once held weren't there. Her face was almost... soft.
"Curze," the Lion said. Her voice, at least, hadn't changed.
"El'Jonson," Kassandra responded.
The sisters looked at each other. Kassandra realized with a chill that the Lion looked awkward. There was no certainty in the woman's eyes. Not like there had been during the Heresy or the Scouring. Not like there had been during the Great Crusade.
Was this really Leona El'Jonson?
"You look different," the Lion commented. "Much calmer. Peaceful."
Kassandra just stared. Surely, the knife in her hand—she had it hidden behind the doorframe—had not escaped her sister's notice. The Lion knew it was there, right?
Then, as the Lion's eyes burrowed into her own, she understood that yes, she did know. What was she thinking? Leona El'Jonson was never a deceitful woman. She had never once told a lie, and her coming to this house unarmed meant she had no intention of causing a ruckus. At least, not yet.
It meant she was vulnerable. Kassandra could get rid of her now. She could plunge the knife into the 1st's throat and no one would ever know. She knew, without her even saying, why she was here. She wanted to bring her back. She wanted her to fight. She wanted her to be at the head of the Night Lords again, to fight against the enemies of the Imperium like she had ten millennia ago. One simple murder would end this before it even began. First it was the Lion, then it would be Guilliman. Then it would be Dorn, maybe, or Corax. Maybe even Aurelia would come down and beg her to turn coat.
No. No more.
Kassandra's brow furrowed in agitation. "I'm staying here. The Night Haunter is dead."
The Lion looked back at her with a thoughtful expression on her face. She pinched the bridge of her nose anxiously—a new habit; perhaps she picked it up from Guilliman—and asked, "May I come in?"
She wanted to say no. More than anything, she wanted to say no. But she smelled the peanut butter pie from the kitchen that she knew she would normally have eaten by herself and something cracked. Something poked at her eyes, then. It was an unfamiliar feeling, one that she hadn't experienced in millennia. She kept her face even, but her mouth betrayed her: "Yes," she answered.
She guided the Lion into the kitchen and stabbed the knife into the cutting board—a warning—then she pulled out a chair for her sister to sit in. The table was far larger than a woman living alone needed. Thirty-seven chairs, all evenly spaced, rested in a perfect circle around the table. Pies and loaves of bread adorned it like decorations, despite their smell. These details did not escape the Lion's notice as she sat down. "I did not take you for the sentimental type, Curze."
"I am not," Kassandra responded. She pulled another set of pies out of the oven—lemon—and moved them to the table.
The Lion spared one last gaze at the expansive table and the feast that had been laid out before her and chanced a sad smile. "No. No, you're not."
Kassandra handed her sister a plate, a knife, a spoon, and a fork, then sat down. She pulled a slice of apple pie onto her plate, then slapped a dollop of ice cream onto it. She then grabbed one of the seasoned loaves of bread and set it down next to her plate. "Eat," she said. "They're better fresh."
There was discomfort in the way the Lion picked items to add to her plate. She placed a cinnamon roll in front of her, took small bites of it until it was gone, then quietly grabbed another. The sisters, for a time, ate in silence.
Almost, Kassandra wished the Lion would just eat her sweets and leave. She hoped El'Jonson would get the picture: Kassandra Curze was a new woman, living a life that she wanted, not the one that had been forced onto her. But, of course, she had to ask. "Why are you here, El'Jonson?"
The response came quickly. The Lion seemed to ease up, the territory becoming more familiar than sitting quietly and eating sweets. "I came to fetch you."
Kassandra set her fork down with a distinct clink. She stood and pulled a jar of strawberry jam from her cabinet. "Would you like some?"
Anger began to spread across the Lion's face. "You mock me."
"What if I do? What are you going to do about it, El'Jonson? Are you going to send your Angels here to destroy my crops and raze my home to the ground? Such measures are not beneath you." Kassandra's tone was even and controlled. Her heart, however, began to race. Thoughts began to swarm her, too many to control. What if she were persuaded? What if the Lion forces her? What if she destroys her new Nostramo just to get her to leave? What if she already informed her Legion, and her children are on their way to take her back to the wars?
She turned back to the cabinet to put the jam away.
"The Imperium is dying, Curze. It is split asunder. I've yet to even see Guilliman, but she and I are the only ones left, aside from you."
"What?" Kassandra wheeled around to face her sister. She looked for some semblance of dishonesty in the Lion's face, but there was none. She told the truth. "Only us three remain?"
"All the others are dead or missing. Even Aurelia has disappeared, gone in pursuit of Little Light. There is no one left to fight."
"Even Sanguinia?"
"I'm told she has not left Baal since her Dove died during the Siege of Terra." The Lion looked weary for a moment. "I'm sorry, Curze. I wish our reunion could have been done under better circumstances, but-"
"Better circumstances?"
The Lion looked shocked, both by the sentiment that had come out of her own mouth and by the venom with which Kassandra had spewed her reply. Her body tensed, preparing for a fight.
"For ten thousand years, I have tended to this farm. I have not harmed a soul in all that time. I have done my duty as a citizen of the Imperium. I have done everything in my power to make sure that my sins are wiped away, and all you do to wipe away my grievances with you are some honeyed words of apology for bothering me? Odd for you, granted, but no less unwanted. Perhaps I should have turned coat with Aurelia when I had the chance. Then, at least, my wishes would be treated with some respect."
The Lion, taken aback, sighed. "Kassandra." She stood and moved around the table toward Kassandra, doing her best to make the motion seem gentle. She wanted to appear kind. "I made mistakes. Too many to count. I hurt my children, I hurt my loved one, and I hurt you. I see that now. Every day, I wish I had not."
Kassandra watched as tears slipped down Leona El'Jonson's face. She watched as the stone slab of a woman began to cry. Wetness made lines down the 1st Primarch's face, leaving stains that would take hours to leave her skin. Even as she cried, however, her face remained still.
The shock manifested in half-spoken words. "Leona, what are you-"
"I know I have no right to come down to your home and ask you to take up your sword again. I know you have found a measure of peace here. Believe me when I say I do not want to destroy that. To destroy this." She motioned to the sweets arrayed on the table. This was the closest thing the sisters had ever been to being a family. Suddenly, Kassandra knew that Leona understood. "This is what all of us have been fighting for all of this time. A chance to be together. We might not have said it, but that is what really caused all of this. Our chance to be a family has passed us by, but we can stop others from feeling that pain. The Imperium is made up of daughters and sons. Of mothers and fathers. Of brothers and sisters. I fight to protect them, Curze, and so do your children."
Finally, something to pick at. "You lie. The Night Lords would never-"
"The VIIIth has changed. They have taken your words to heart, Kassandra."
"What are you talking about?"
Leona reminded her of words that she had not heard for millennia. "Protect Mankind. That is what you told them, isn't it? All this time, they have followed the words of their Primarch."
"You... You're lying. That Legion of madmen would never listen to me. It's impossible. El'Jonson, you are lying to me!"
"I am not."
"You are. You've come to take me back to them. They want me to lead them, to be the lunatic that leads their merry band of insane scum. I refuse. I refuse to play that role again. The Night Haunter is dead! She is dead!"
"Kassandra Curze!"
The shout stopped Kassandra. She turned away from Leona and looked into the empty sink, seeing her reflection in the metal basin. "The Night Haunter is dead."
"I do not want the Night Haunter. I want you, Kassandra. But we must go soon. Beyond Nostramo, the Galaxy burns. It needs you."
As she stared into the basin, Kassandra had a vision. She watched as she gazed into the eyes of Leona, with the 1st plunging knife into her throat. The knife currently resting in her cutting board. She watched, with cloudy eyes, as she squirmed and fought only to be overpowered by her armored sister. The 1st came here to kill her. She is a traitor.
She reached for the knife.
For a brief moment, she felt something touch her hand. It was a feeling she had not felt in a long time. She smelled the sweets on the table. She listened to the swaying of the fields outside. She felt her own breath, moving in and out gently. She looked at her sister, stern as ever. She heard a voice. Stop, my love, it said. I am here. I will keep you safe.
She stopped herself from replying. She knew it was just a trick of the mind. It was a hallucination to be ignored. Her lover was dead.
Leona came over and grabbed her. At some point, Kassandra had fallen to the ground. She had her arms wrapped around her, squeezing her tightly. What was she doing? Was she trying to suffocate her? Was this an attempted murder?
Then the memories. The flashes of warmth, of love. The brief moments of respite amidst the sea of pain. She remembered her love, and how they used to hold her. How they used to hug her, to embrace her with their little arms and somehow make her feel like she wasn't the worst woman in the universe. She felt Leona holding her tightly, securely, like she was afraid to let go, and she felt that again.
And, for the first time in ten thousand years, Kassanadra Curze cried.
As she cried, she had another vision.
There was a house. It was a simple prefabricated hab unit, only sized up to accommodate beings far larger than any normal human, but also large enough to hold a lot of people. There was a fresh coat of white paint on the outside, and inside there were many rooms. There was a bedroom with a large bed fit for a Primarch and her lover. There was a nursery painted dark blue, like the midnight sky hanging over Nostramo. There was a kitchen, where Kassandra was hard at work making pie and bread and other baked goods. There was the sound of happy mingling coming from the dining room, where the table was already stacked full with food. And, filling all of the chairs, were her family. Smiling. Happy. Together.
And her belly was swollen with the light of new life. And as she carried the last pie into the dining room, she felt the warm gazes of her sisters, of their spouses, of her father, and of her love, and she smiled.
Then she was back in reality. She looked at Leona.
"This dream that I have," she said. "Is it worth fighting for?"
Leona placed her forehead against Kassandra's. "If even Kassandra Curze can have hope, then Humanity's dream is not yet dead." She pulled away, "But to reach that, we must fight."
Kassandra looked out her window. She saw her old armor hanging on the scarecrow, as beat up as it was. "Tell me," she began, "where is my Legion?"
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Scarecrows, intended to thwart the predations of hungry birds, rose tall above even the crops. They, by themselves, were hardly effective. The birds were too wise to be frightened by inanimate sticks. What was effective, at least for this one tiny part of the world, was the plate the scarecrow had been adorned with. The armor was a faded sapphire, somewhere between the blues of an ocean and the blue of old Nostramo's skies. Yet, the plate was marred with the scars of time. The blue had been worn away by the passage of years with no protection from the elements, and cracks and crevices from battle were many and they were deep. The passage of centuries had only worsened them. Now, it hardly even resembled armor, despite its once-mastercrafted artifice. It was a shadow of its former self. Glory—if the ceramite plates ever truly knew glory—was long gone, now. Rivets that once held pieces of flayed skin and the bones of poor, unfortunate souls now rested happily empty.
There was also a house. It was a simple prefabricated hab unit, only sized up to accommodate a being far larger than any normal human. Time had worn it down, too, but the rockcrete remained strong even as the white paint that once gave it a dash of vibrancy had peeled away and left only a stone gray visage. The roof was little more than a slightly tilted set of squares, designed to remove rain while only necessitating the bare minimum of extra material. Some parts of the unit were splotched with yellow pollen, and an odd vine curled up the side, almost making the place appear rustic.
And a woman emerged. She was tall. Unnervingly so. Even with the enlarged door, she risked slamming her head into the doorframe if she did not exercise caution. Her black hair was tied into a simple braid, though it was long enough to reach the small of her back. Scars—deep ones—crowded the area around her mouth like unwanted guests. Her clothes were simple and unrefined; a plain gray tunic and an unimpressive skirt covered her from her neck to her ankles, leaving only her head and arms exposed. She wore boots underneath it all, but one could only cast small glimpses of them from between the hem of her skirt and the length of the grass she tread upon.
Kassandra Curze was a woman long forgotten. Once, she had been known as the Night Haunter. A long time ago, she had sought justice and enacted it in whichever way she saw fit. Once, she had been seen as a woman who no one could trust. She was a tool to be maintained, to be utilized and then discarded when the work was done. Not any longer. For all anyone knew, the Night Haunter was dead.
She had heard stories, of course, of the Galaxy beyond Nostramo. She knew of her sister Guilliman's return and the wars she fought, how the Avenging Daughter of the Imperium bloodied her hands to keep Mankind safe. Kassandra knew of this. She knew that men and women who called themselves her children died every day, trying to enact the will of a Primarch they believed long dead. Her will.
"Redeem us," she had said. "Protect Mankind."
She sighed as the memories rushed back into her. Yet, despite the pain of those recollections, she spared a half-smile. If she was looking back, it meant she was not looking forward. She had not had a vision in millennia. It was one of many blessings she believed she did not deserve. Yet, she took them, fearing the alternative. Better to bask in rewards unearned than to be soaked in the just punishments. Truthfully, she feared justice. She had no delusions against the reality that, if anyone deserved to be burnt alive or hanged from a rope, it was her.
Yet she still lived. She lived here, by sheer coincidence, on a planet called Nostramo that was not Nostramo. She tended to crops. She repaired bulk movers and operated servo-harvesters. She could predict what the weather in three weeks was going to look like just by smelling the air. Her crops contributed to the war efforts, and she made her contribution to the tithe. She had been doing that for thousands of years. Surely, she had done more for the Imperium than most women could do. Surely she had earned some small piece of redemption, just by staying still and not hurting anyone. Just by eating and drinking alone, without anybody to injure or torture with her presence.
As she made her way toward the field, she whispered to herself, "The Night Haunter is dead."
The stalks were tall enough that they would have surpassed even an armored space marine in height, but she stood a head taller than them. If she looked out while standing in the field, she could see the horizons in all directions, with only a few odd hab units breaking up the perfect solitude of the endless sea of grain. Birds who made their nests amidst the fields swooped around. There were cats who lived in the fields, Kassandra knew. They were put there to hunt the birds, who ate both the crops and the insects who lived on them. She had always wanted to touch one of them, but they refused to draw near, even at the promise of food.
She slipped through the fields with the grace of a butterfly and began to examine the crops. The ones in section 1-A were in good condition. 1-B was struggling with a stalkbeetle infestation. She would have to requistion some pesticide. 1-C was good. 1-D flourished. 1-E was beautiful. She kept going through the sections of her field, scanning for any possible variance, any discrepancy that she needed to be concerned about. The administratum believed that there was a team of ten workers living in her hab unit. They were wrong, but she could do the work of ten men and then still have time left in the day to do other things.
When she finished the final section assigned to her, she departed from the field. She went home. She sat in her empty bedroom (if an empty chamber could be called that) and meditated. She could always feel the pricks of the future gnawing at her mind, trying to force their way in, but something stopped them. Even as her subconscious tried to skim the threads of time, it refused to delve into the deeper waters. Even if she tried to see something, she could not. Her foresight had left her.
Meditation was not something that had come naturally for her. She was once a being who was so utterly lost in her own torment that the idea of any self-reflection physically pained her. When she first struggled with those memories, the attacks had come. Moments where she could not breathe, even though there was air and her superhuman physique should have meant she could have survived even in the vacuum of space. Moments where she felt so small and vulnerable, despite her giant frame and overwhelming strength. Her heart racing even faster than it did in battle because when she was fighting she was in control of herself. When she fought the beast in her mind, she was not in control.
But that hurdle, though it had taken centuries to overcome, was simply an obstacle, and there was no task one of the Emperor's Daughters could not complete. Not that she took any pride in being related to the Emperor, of course; she simply saw the reality.
She opened her eyes. As her mind returned to the sensations of the world, she whispered to herself, "The Night Haunter is dead."
She left her bedroom and went to the kitchen. This was the one luxury she afforded herself, to honor the one person who had ever taken the time to know her. They had loved to bake, so she learned as well. Anyone, given thousands of years with which to practice, would become skilled in any craft.
Soon, the smell of freshly-baked pies and bread wafted out of her open windows. There was no one to smell them, and no one to share them with. She ate alone. Loaves of bread, fruit pies, chocolate tarts, and jams and butters with which to garnish them were all devoured quickly. She could taste every last flavor, could perfect every single modicum of sweetness until it practically melted away in a cloud of bliss, but she never enjoyed this part. It reminded her of all the things she did not have, and then she disliked herself for wanting more mercies than she had already been granted.
Then, when she was done eating and the sun was set, she went to sleep on the floor. Then she woke up the next day.
And she did it all again. Over and over again, without fail, without the slightest instance of change. It was peaceful.
A knock came on her door while she was baking. They called her name, not the false name the governor's inspectors knew her by. It was a woman's voice, boisterous and grizzled. Instantly, she knew who the voice belonged to: Leona El'Jonson. There were other women who sounded like that, but none could match the timbre of the Lion. Kassandra knew it as though the sound were engraved into her very soul.
She pulled a knife from the cabinet. For a normal human, it would have been the size of a longsword.
She whispered to herself as she approached the door slowly, "The Night Haunter is dead."
The door opened, and she saw the Primarch of the First Legion. She was wearing her armor. She was unarmed, however, and she looked... older. Her once pristine blonde hair was flecked with gray. The shadows of wrinkles pulled at her features, like a normal woman in her late thirties. And the steel daggers her eyes once held weren't there. Her face was almost... soft.
"Curze," the Lion said. Her voice, at least, hadn't changed.
"El'Jonson," Kassandra responded.
The sisters looked at each other. Kassandra realized with a chill that the Lion looked awkward. There was no certainty in the woman's eyes. Not like there had been during the Heresy or the Scouring. Not like there had been during the Great Crusade.
Was this really Leona El'Jonson?
"You look different," the Lion commented. "Much calmer. Peaceful."
Kassandra just stared. Surely, the knife in her hand—she had it hidden behind the doorframe—had not escaped her sister's notice. The Lion knew it was there, right?
Then, as the Lion's eyes burrowed into her own, she understood that yes, she did know. What was she thinking? Leona El'Jonson was never a deceitful woman. She had never once told a lie, and her coming to this house unarmed meant she had no intention of causing a ruckus. At least, not yet.
It meant she was vulnerable. Kassandra could get rid of her now. She could plunge the knife into the 1st's throat and no one would ever know. She knew, without her even saying, why she was here. She wanted to bring her back. She wanted her to fight. She wanted her to be at the head of the Night Lords again, to fight against the enemies of the Imperium like she had ten millennia ago. One simple murder would end this before it even began. First it was the Lion, then it would be Guilliman. Then it would be Dorn, maybe, or Corax. Maybe even Aurelia would come down and beg her to turn coat.
No. No more.
Kassandra's brow furrowed in agitation. "I'm staying here. The Night Haunter is dead."
The Lion looked back at her with a thoughtful expression on her face. She pinched the bridge of her nose anxiously—a new habit; perhaps she picked it up from Guilliman—and asked, "May I come in?"
She wanted to say no. More than anything, she wanted to say no. But she smelled the peanut butter pie from the kitchen that she knew she would normally have eaten by herself and something cracked. Something poked at her eyes, then. It was an unfamiliar feeling, one that she hadn't experienced in millennia. She kept her face even, but her mouth betrayed her: "Yes," she answered.
She guided the Lion into the kitchen and stabbed the knife into the cutting board—a warning—then she pulled out a chair for her sister to sit in. The table was far larger than a woman living alone needed. Thirty-seven chairs, all evenly spaced, rested in a perfect circle around the table. Pies and loaves of bread adorned it like decorations, despite their smell. These details did not escape the Lion's notice as she sat down. "I did not take you for the sentimental type, Curze."
"I am not," Kassandra responded. She pulled another set of pies out of the oven—lemon—and moved them to the table.
The Lion spared one last gaze at the expansive table and the feast that had been laid out before her and chanced a sad smile. "No. No, you're not."
Kassandra handed her sister a plate, a knife, a spoon, and a fork, then sat down. She pulled a slice of apple pie onto her plate, then slapped a dollop of ice cream onto it. She then grabbed one of the seasoned loaves of bread and set it down next to her plate. "Eat," she said. "They're better fresh."
There was discomfort in the way the Lion picked items to add to her plate. She placed a cinnamon roll in front of her, took small bites of it until it was gone, then quietly grabbed another. The sisters, for a time, ate in silence.
Almost, Kassandra wished the Lion would just eat her sweets and leave. She hoped El'Jonson would get the picture: Kassandra Curze was a new woman, living a life that she wanted, not the one that had been forced onto her. But, of course, she had to ask. "Why are you here, El'Jonson?"
The response came quickly. The Lion seemed to ease up, the territory becoming more familiar than sitting quietly and eating sweets. "I came to fetch you."
Kassandra set her fork down with a distinct clink. She stood and pulled a jar of strawberry jam from her cabinet. "Would you like some?"
Anger began to spread across the Lion's face. "You mock me."
"What if I do? What are you going to do about it, El'Jonson? Are you going to send your Angels here to destroy my crops and raze my home to the ground? Such measures are not beneath you." Kassandra's tone was even and controlled. Her heart, however, began to race. Thoughts began to swarm her, too many to control. What if she were persuaded? What if the Lion forces her? What if she destroys her new Nostramo just to get her to leave? What if she already informed her Legion, and her children are on their way to take her back to the wars?
She turned back to the cabinet to put the jam away.
"The Imperium is dying, Curze. It is split asunder. I've yet to even see Guilliman, but she and I are the only ones left, aside from you."
"What?" Kassandra wheeled around to face her sister. She looked for some semblance of dishonesty in the Lion's face, but there was none. She told the truth. "Only us three remain?"
"All the others are dead or missing. Even Aurelia has disappeared, gone in pursuit of Little Light. There is no one left to fight."
"Even Sanguinia?"
"I'm told she has not left Baal since her Dove died during the Siege of Terra." The Lion looked weary for a moment. "I'm sorry, Curze. I wish our reunion could have been done under better circumstances, but-"
"Better circumstances?"
The Lion looked shocked, both by the sentiment that had come out of her own mouth and by the venom with which Kassandra had spewed her reply. Her body tensed, preparing for a fight.
"For ten thousand years, I have tended to this farm. I have not harmed a soul in all that time. I have done my duty as a citizen of the Imperium. I have done everything in my power to make sure that my sins are wiped away, and all you do to wipe away my grievances with you are some honeyed words of apology for bothering me? Odd for you, granted, but no less unwanted. Perhaps I should have turned coat with Aurelia when I had the chance. Then, at least, my wishes would be treated with some respect."
The Lion, taken aback, sighed. "Kassandra." She stood and moved around the table toward Kassandra, doing her best to make the motion seem gentle. She wanted to appear kind. "I made mistakes. Too many to count. I hurt my children, I hurt my loved one, and I hurt you. I see that now. Every day, I wish I had not."
Kassandra watched as tears slipped down Leona El'Jonson's face. She watched as the stone slab of a woman began to cry. Wetness made lines down the 1st Primarch's face, leaving stains that would take hours to leave her skin. Even as she cried, however, her face remained still.
The shock manifested in half-spoken words. "Leona, what are you-"
"I know I have no right to come down to your home and ask you to take up your sword again. I know you have found a measure of peace here. Believe me when I say I do not want to destroy that. To destroy this." She motioned to the sweets arrayed on the table. This was the closest thing the sisters had ever been to being a family. Suddenly, Kassandra knew that Leona understood. "This is what all of us have been fighting for all of this time. A chance to be together. We might not have said it, but that is what really caused all of this. Our chance to be a family has passed us by, but we can stop others from feeling that pain. The Imperium is made up of daughters and sons. Of mothers and fathers. Of brothers and sisters. I fight to protect them, Curze, and so do your children."
Finally, something to pick at. "You lie. The Night Lords would never-"
"The VIIIth has changed. They have taken your words to heart, Kassandra."
"What are you talking about?"
Leona reminded her of words that she had not heard for millennia. "Protect Mankind. That is what you told them, isn't it? All this time, they have followed the words of their Primarch."
"You... You're lying. That Legion of madmen would never listen to me. It's impossible. El'Jonson, you are lying to me!"
"I am not."
"You are. You've come to take me back to them. They want me to lead them, to be the lunatic that leads their merry band of insane scum. I refuse. I refuse to play that role again. The Night Haunter is dead! She is dead!"
"Kassandra Curze!"
The shout stopped Kassandra. She turned away from Leona and looked into the empty sink, seeing her reflection in the metal basin. "The Night Haunter is dead."
"I do not want the Night Haunter. I want you, Kassandra. But we must go soon. Beyond Nostramo, the Galaxy burns. It needs you."
As she stared into the basin, Kassandra had a vision. She watched as she gazed into the eyes of Leona, with the 1st plunging knife into her throat. The knife currently resting in her cutting board. She watched, with cloudy eyes, as she squirmed and fought only to be overpowered by her armored sister. The 1st came here to kill her. She is a traitor.
She reached for the knife.
For a brief moment, she felt something touch her hand. It was a feeling she had not felt in a long time. She smelled the sweets on the table. She listened to the swaying of the fields outside. She felt her own breath, moving in and out gently. She looked at her sister, stern as ever. She heard a voice. Stop, my love, it said. I am here. I will keep you safe.
She stopped herself from replying. She knew it was just a trick of the mind. It was a hallucination to be ignored. Her lover was dead.
Leona came over and grabbed her. At some point, Kassandra had fallen to the ground. She had her arms wrapped around her, squeezing her tightly. What was she doing? Was she trying to suffocate her? Was this an attempted murder?
Then the memories. The flashes of warmth, of love. The brief moments of respite amidst the sea of pain. She remembered her love, and how they used to hold her. How they used to hug her, to embrace her with their little arms and somehow make her feel like she wasn't the worst woman in the universe. She felt Leona holding her tightly, securely, like she was afraid to let go, and she felt that again.
And, for the first time in ten thousand years, Kassanadra Curze cried.
As she cried, she had another vision.
There was a house. It was a simple prefabricated hab unit, only sized up to accommodate beings far larger than any normal human, but also large enough to hold a lot of people. There was a fresh coat of white paint on the outside, and inside there were many rooms. There was a bedroom with a large bed fit for a Primarch and her lover. There was a nursery painted dark blue, like the midnight sky hanging over Nostramo. There was a kitchen, where Kassandra was hard at work making pie and bread and other baked goods. There was the sound of happy mingling coming from the dining room, where the table was already stacked full with food. And, filling all of the chairs, were her family. Smiling. Happy. Together.
And her belly was swollen with the light of new life. And as she carried the last pie into the dining room, she felt the warm gazes of her sisters, of their spouses, of her father, and of her love, and she smiled.
Then she was back in reality. She looked at Leona.
"This dream that I have," she said. "Is it worth fighting for?"
Leona placed her forehead against Kassandra's. "If even Kassandra Curze can have hope, then Humanity's dream is not yet dead." She pulled away, "But to reach that, we must fight."
Kassandra looked out her window. She saw her old armor hanging on the scarecrow, as beat up as it was. "Tell me," she began, "where is my Legion?"
2024.05.26 06:44 ThrowRA-HelpMePls1 My(26F) boyfriend (27M) frequently has smelly breath and bad mouth taste when we kiss. I've already brought it a few times and then he lied to me. What do I do now?
Edited to add; no this is not a shit post. stuff like this actually happens in real life. I use Reddit so of course I'm going to come here and post about it. I don't know what to do
If I don't post here then where do I post this for advice ??
Yup. The title. I have tried everything that Reddit suggests. Yes I communicated. Multiple times. Gentle. Compassionate. Straight forward, direct, non nagging way. I've been patient. I've tried to make it fun and enticing. I've tried what Reddit and Google have suggested. It hasn't worked. Nothing has worked.
He only brushes his teeth at night OR if he forgets and doesn't brush at night, he makes sure to brush them that morning, but then not at night. So it's once a day. I understand there's people who brush once a day. But his breath smells and one time it got to the point where I had to legit back away. He doesn't freshen his breath at all. His toothpaste doesn't have fragrance so really I taste salvia , food, and he smokes weed so I taste that when we kiss. He does scrub his tongue, but his breath still smells and the kiss is yucky.
When he does freshly brush his teeth, I love to kiss him so much. And I love when he kisses me. So he is capable of having clean refreshing mouth. But Now, it's getting to the point where I don't want him to kiss me.
The last time we saw each other, we slept over. In the morning when we were about to leave for our outing, getting our bags and waters etc, I kissed him. The taste. I was upset at this point. I legit asked him "did you brush your teeth?" And he said yes. Usually I do a last minute bathroom quick visit before I leave house. His toothbrush was completely dry. And it had a green food particle(spinach) from last nights dinner. (He fasts in morning doesn't eat breakfast). He didn't brush his teeth. Why the eff would he lie to me and also, there's still a green food particle, like why not brush that out? Why. Why don't you brush your teeth in the morning. Why when someone brings up that you have bad breath, wouldn't you be driven to make it a habit to freshen your breath?
I finished the bathroom and then I brought up to him that he lied about brushing his teeth. He said "no I didn't". I brought up the food particle. He kept saying he brushed his teeth. Honestly It was like the time stopped. I could hear the silence. I was shocked. He lied to me. He looked straight in my eyes and lied. I changed the subject and we left to do our fun outing. There was tension at first and I didn't want to kiss him all day.Other than that, we had a fun day.
I am someone who loves to give physical affection and he is too. I love to give kisses (when he has fresh clean breath). He loves my kisses too. Still, I feel... disappointed. Why lie as you're looking me straight in the eye? I feel a chunk of our love life is missing because I know he can have good breath. He is just choosing not to I guess? I can't even freaking kiss him. Does he even like me? I'm hurt he lied. What do I do ? Bad breath, bad taste, and now lying.
Where do I go from here?
submitted by ThrowRA-HelpMePls1 to relationship_advice [link] [comments]
If I don't post here then where do I post this for advice ??
Yup. The title. I have tried everything that Reddit suggests. Yes I communicated. Multiple times. Gentle. Compassionate. Straight forward, direct, non nagging way. I've been patient. I've tried to make it fun and enticing. I've tried what Reddit and Google have suggested. It hasn't worked. Nothing has worked.
He only brushes his teeth at night OR if he forgets and doesn't brush at night, he makes sure to brush them that morning, but then not at night. So it's once a day. I understand there's people who brush once a day. But his breath smells and one time it got to the point where I had to legit back away. He doesn't freshen his breath at all. His toothpaste doesn't have fragrance so really I taste salvia , food, and he smokes weed so I taste that when we kiss. He does scrub his tongue, but his breath still smells and the kiss is yucky.
When he does freshly brush his teeth, I love to kiss him so much. And I love when he kisses me. So he is capable of having clean refreshing mouth. But Now, it's getting to the point where I don't want him to kiss me.
The last time we saw each other, we slept over. In the morning when we were about to leave for our outing, getting our bags and waters etc, I kissed him. The taste. I was upset at this point. I legit asked him "did you brush your teeth?" And he said yes. Usually I do a last minute bathroom quick visit before I leave house. His toothbrush was completely dry. And it had a green food particle(spinach) from last nights dinner. (He fasts in morning doesn't eat breakfast). He didn't brush his teeth. Why the eff would he lie to me and also, there's still a green food particle, like why not brush that out? Why. Why don't you brush your teeth in the morning. Why when someone brings up that you have bad breath, wouldn't you be driven to make it a habit to freshen your breath?
I finished the bathroom and then I brought up to him that he lied about brushing his teeth. He said "no I didn't". I brought up the food particle. He kept saying he brushed his teeth. Honestly It was like the time stopped. I could hear the silence. I was shocked. He lied to me. He looked straight in my eyes and lied. I changed the subject and we left to do our fun outing. There was tension at first and I didn't want to kiss him all day.Other than that, we had a fun day.
I am someone who loves to give physical affection and he is too. I love to give kisses (when he has fresh clean breath). He loves my kisses too. Still, I feel... disappointed. Why lie as you're looking me straight in the eye? I feel a chunk of our love life is missing because I know he can have good breath. He is just choosing not to I guess? I can't even freaking kiss him. Does he even like me? I'm hurt he lied. What do I do ? Bad breath, bad taste, and now lying.
Where do I go from here?
2024.05.26 06:31 hoggersbridge Engines of Arachnea: The Bug Planet (Chapter 34: Hope)
First Chapter. Link for all the chapters available here: Engines of Arachnea on Royal Road
There was quite the queue forming in the stuffy hallway down in the bowels of the corps headquarters. And in the nature of queues it was getting longer by the hour, the creaking pews on either side of the aisle filling up with disgruntled, sweaty, blank-faced junior officers, all of them suspended in the mind-numbing amber of bureaucratic inefficiency. Well, in truth the seats were more like benches than pews, but such was the atmosphere of ponderous solemnity and absolute silence that one could easily have mistaken it for a shrine of sorts.
This was despite the fact that nearly all of the offices had been converted into pens for farm animals. Flocks of meat crickets chirped inside their wicker coops while families of oinking unguloids rooted in their beds of dried rice stalks. Mound Shakka had become the main supply depot for the Expeditionary Force that would soon be headed north. Accommodation for all the livestock and droves of support troops had been difficult to find since noncombat personnel such as clerks, smiths, line cooks and cobblers outnumbered the real soldiers by a ratio of 1:5. The Fleet Quartermaster Corps had worked its magic with what little space the already overpopulated settlement could spare and this menagerie had been one of their many ingenious solutions.
But if the hallway was a shrine and the bored officers its devotees, then the altar at the center of it all was the tiny cubicle office whose doorway bore the legend in faded green paint: “Defensive Mapping Agency Hydrographic and Geographic Center’s Office of Distribution and Services (Pathfinder Liaison Office).”
It was a somewhat long-winded appellation, to be sure. But the mere mention of the name was enough to send the bravest pencil-pushers into paroxysms of paranoia and dread.
Had they triple stamped the approval sheets in the appropriate color of ink? Had they used the correct stock number to indicate the maps they needed to requisition? And most importantly, would the stern guardian of the inner sanctum show them mercy today?
As if in answer to that question the door flew open with a bang and a mustachioed corporal stormed out, crying:
“How can you do this to me? This is outrageous! Unfair! How can I be a commissioned officer and be denied access to my flipping field sketches?”
“You will sit down, corporal,” came the stern reproof from the man inside, making all the waiting supplicants jump in their seats as if at the crack of a bullwhip.
“I…I…” the officer gulped, his frustration petering out beneath the withering glare of the bald man sitting behind the cheap plywood desk and stacks of misprints.
“I’m sorry,” the corporal finally whimpered, all but tucking his tail between his legs. Everyone else studiously examined their fingernails or stared at the ceiling, having no desire to catch a stray bullet from the exchange.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I’m sorry, navigator Deschane,” the luckless man finished, meekly returning to his seat, “B-but please, sir, you must understand. I’ve been trying to get these set of maps for my unit for days now. I’ve completed forms 22-A through 34-D along with all the supplementals. I filled in the boxes with black ink and the region names in blue as per regulations. I’ve even listed the stock numbers alphabetically just like you told me to, which I’m beginning to suspect isn’t even an actual requirement at all!”
“Indeed, it isn’t,” Deschane admitted, “That was just a helpful suggestion on my part. It wouldn’t hurt to be more organized, now would it?”
“So I’ve done everything you asked?”
“Why, yes,” Deschane said, sounding pleasantly surprised. He put on a pair of wire spectacles and shuffled some sheets of paper around, “You have completed all the documentation needed to requisition copies of classification level C field sketches. Good job.”
Deschane held out a stack of freshly printed papers and the corporal’s face lit up with happiness. But his hopes were immediately dashed when Deschane continued: “Now just repeat all those steps for the other grid zones and I can give you the rest of the maps you ordered.”
The navigator handed him a single copy off the pile and withheld all the rest. The corporal gave a feeble chuckle and said:
“I think I just misheard you, dear fellow. Did you just say that I have to redo all this paperwork fourteen more times?”
“The regulations are quite clear. Form 29-E can only be used to apply for one copy at a time. So you see, my hands are tied.”
“Alright, fine,” pressed the corporal, still stuck at the bargaining phase of the five stages of grief, “So all I have to do is fill out fourteen more copies of 29-E and not all the rest of that rubbish, aye?”
Outside, the people in the queue all winced at his stupidity. It was never a good idea to get uppity with Nv. Deschane.
“That would suffice,” Deschane frowned, “But for the purposes of filing it would be more efficient if each copy of 29-E came attached with copies of all the other forms, just to avoid confusion in the procurement process. Otherwise there really is no telling how long the process might be delayed. Days? Weeks? Months?”
“Navigator,” the corporal pleaded in a fit of depression, which was the fourth stage of grief, “My battalion cannot attack the enemy if it does not know where that enemy is! We cannot function without maps! Do you want us to go in completely blind, like hogs to the slaughter?”
“All I’m asking is that you adhere to standard procurement procedures. Yours is not the only battalion in need of crucial information. Rest assured that our staff is working round the clock to provide for the needs of the brave soldiers spearheading the coming offensive. But you must understand that good maps are a precious and delicate resource that must be handled with care—”
Deschane’s rational explanations were interrupted by the door to the adjoining office flying open with a cacophony of curses and bestial squeals. Corporal Ven appeared,s struggling mightily to wrest a stack of envelopes from the jaws of a very annoyed mother hog. Finally tearing them loose and shooing the belligerent sow back into its pen, she did an about face and saluted Deschane, announcing:
“Here are the planimetric maps for the 9th Infantry Regiment.”
Then Ven saw a bite-sized chunk missing from the corners of the sheaf and her face took on a crestfallen expression. Deschane accepted it with a nod of thanks and turned his attention back to the mortified corporal, who licked his mustachios nervously and said:
“I think finally understand what’s going on here. And look, I get it. Anyone who gets reassigned to a reeking dungeon like this one has got to make a living somehow. If it’s a question of money—”
“I believe I was the one who misheard this time,” Deschane cut in, his voice as frigid as an ice pick in a freezer. The people in the queue shook their heads; the corporal had dug his own grave good and deep now, “Are you under the impression that I’m soliciting a bribe?”
“Don’t be absurd!” the nitwit backpedaled, “That’s the furthest thing on my mind. Just an exchange of gifts between good friends, is all—"
“Leave the door open on your way out,” Deschane said, his pen scratching busily at an approval slip.
“But why?”
“I don’t need financial incentives to do my job. I am not a base criminal, sir.”
“Then why are you making my life so bloody difficult?”
“Because I believe in organization,” Deschane said without looking up, “This virtue above all else is what allowed humanity to claw its way back from the brink. It is the engine that drives our ascent back into the celestial firmament from whence we came. And if the engine fails,” Deschane peered at him over the rim of his spectacles, “then so shall we. Next!”
The corporal left the office with a look of dazed acceptance. The line shuffled forwards. Hours passed and the queue eventually shortened. Most of the officers were turned away in disappointment, while the rest dashed out from the cubicle clutching their fresh copies to their chests as if they could hardly believe their good fortune. This went on until the refracted light of the solar prisms studding the walls went the color of runny eggs, signaling the arrival of dusk.
“That’s it for today folks,” Ven said, taking out her glowbowl of bioluminescent algae and shining it into the faces of the men who’d dozed off on the pews, “Same time again tomorrow!”
There were groans of half-hearted protest as the intelligence officers drooped off back home to try another day. A latecomer arrived just as the last of them filed out. He went over to the animal pens, clicking his tongue at the unguloids and tossing them bits of corn husk from the floor.
“I’m sorry sir, but you’ll have to come back in the morning,” Ven told him, “Navigator Deschane is—”
“A very busy man. So I have observed,” the man turned, smiling sweetly. He was dressed in the most outlandish garb Ven had ever seen, a scandalously skimpy loincloth beneath robes of see-through abaca being all that covered his modesty.
“Oh! Wow,” Ven quickly averted her eyes, a warm flush creeping the back of her neck, “I didn’t realize you were so…so.... erm…”
“Ethnic?” the tribesman tactfully supplied.
“Yes! That’s the word. I hope,” Ven added in an undertone.
“I am Nong Acklund, a geologist from the Darood, in the Occupied Territories,” the tribesman introduced himself with a clipped accent, “May I ask for a moment of his time?”
The tribesman walked past her before she could object, slithering eel-like into the darkened office where Deschane was busy getting onto his crutches.
“Ah, navigator! I tried to catch you yesterday at your award ceremony, but you left as soon as you concluded your acceptance speech.”
“Hmph,” was all Deschane had to say to that.
“Oh, ha ha! There it is again: the entire text of your speech. If brevity is the soul of wit, then I guess that makes you a veritable prodigy!”
Deschane’s forehead knitted into a worrying frown. Ven knew that look and placed herself between the two to protect Nong from bodily harm.
“Soldier, what is this civilian doing here?” Deschane said quietly and without taking his eyes off the shameless exhibitionist.
“He is attempting to be funny,” Nong replied, “He sees now that this approach will prove fruitless. I’ll get to the point: I am here to ask you about what happened at Mound 13.”
“They covered all that at the ceremony. I have nothing more to add. Corporal Vendamme, remove this person before I do.”
Ven reached for Nong’s shoulder, but once again the tribesman evaded her, stepping closer to the navigator.
“I see. Either they have bought your silence, or you have been cowed into submission.”
“What did you just say?”
“Or is it something else?” Nong went on, blissfully unaware of the danger he was in, “Perhaps your being difficult and unpleasant serves a grander purpose. Even after those idiots confined you in this midden heap to rot, you are doing all that you can to delay their much-vaunted offensive for as long as possible. After all, an army is blind without good intelligence, and your superiors in their matchless arrogance gave you control over just that, didn’t they? Now the only question that remains is this: are you a traitor, Navigator Deschane? If not, then why are you deliberately sabotaging the war effort?”
Deschane was a long time answering that one.
“Everything I do is for the good of the Fleet,” he said at last, “I fight for the species. And if you call me a traitor one more time, I’ll rip your throat out with my thumbs.”
Indeed, Ven was wondering why he hadn’t done it already. Deschane had been through a lot in these past few days, and had been begging for an excuse to cut loose. The tribesman beamed again, only this time it was genuine, each crooked tooth gleaming like ivory.
“A believer! Excellent. You fight that we may reattain our ancient godhead—yes, I overheard that conversation with that poor young fool. But it is one thing to believe, and another thing entirely to know. And so, my good navigator, I have one final question. Do you know what this is?”
Nong drew something from the folds of his loincloth and slammed it on the desk. Initially Ven thought it was some sort of tribal fetish, an idol carved from ultrapod horn and sculpted into the crude likeness of a human. It was about ten centimeters tall and sported an eggshell head, hunched shoulders and a single crimson dot in the place of a face.
Ven had owned a similar doll in her childhood, made for her by her native servant, a sweet old maid by the name of Riyah with raisin-wrinkle cheeks who smelled like rosewater. There was a thin horizontal slot in the middle of its belly—perhaps it was a child’s piggy bank?
But then Nong touched something on the side of the idol and the thing stirred to life, stocky legs pumping as it strode ponderously across the desk. It swiveled on its waist and knocked over a pile of misprints with its arm and sent them scattering all over the dung-spattered floorboards. Then it turned to Ven and spoke in a tinny little voice:
“…your…future…built…today. Say chzzztt!”
The red eye flashed dangerously, and Ven flinched. The idol hummed and whirred as some hidden mechanism activated. A square of semirigid material shot out of the slot and spun in the air. Ven caught it before it fell and found herself looking at an image of her frightened face etched into a card of strange transparent crystal, with the following words stamped below it:
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
“Well, paint me in polka dots and slap me silly,” she breathed in amazement, “Look, sir. It’s me!”
She held up the card for Deschane to see and received the second, even bigger shock of the day. The navigator was biting into his clenched fist, his throat working as he held back a tide of emotions.
“I thought I’d gone mad…” he whispered in a broken voice, as if he were all alone in the room with no one to hear him, “They’d half convinced me of it. Blood loss, shell shock, narcosis, morphine. Any number of reasons. My men…” he looked up at Nong, his upper lip stiffening, “My boys. Rene. Lethway. I failed them—failed them all. I thought it was a mistake on the part of providence, that I had been spared and they had not. But now...”
Deschane reached out with trembling fingers and touched the idol reverently.
“Yes, I do know what this is,” he told Nong, his voice now stronger and more assured, “This here is hope.”
First Chapter. Link for all the chapters available here: Engines of Arachnea on Royal Road
submitted by hoggersbridge to HFY [link] [comments]
There was quite the queue forming in the stuffy hallway down in the bowels of the corps headquarters. And in the nature of queues it was getting longer by the hour, the creaking pews on either side of the aisle filling up with disgruntled, sweaty, blank-faced junior officers, all of them suspended in the mind-numbing amber of bureaucratic inefficiency. Well, in truth the seats were more like benches than pews, but such was the atmosphere of ponderous solemnity and absolute silence that one could easily have mistaken it for a shrine of sorts.
This was despite the fact that nearly all of the offices had been converted into pens for farm animals. Flocks of meat crickets chirped inside their wicker coops while families of oinking unguloids rooted in their beds of dried rice stalks. Mound Shakka had become the main supply depot for the Expeditionary Force that would soon be headed north. Accommodation for all the livestock and droves of support troops had been difficult to find since noncombat personnel such as clerks, smiths, line cooks and cobblers outnumbered the real soldiers by a ratio of 1:5. The Fleet Quartermaster Corps had worked its magic with what little space the already overpopulated settlement could spare and this menagerie had been one of their many ingenious solutions.
But if the hallway was a shrine and the bored officers its devotees, then the altar at the center of it all was the tiny cubicle office whose doorway bore the legend in faded green paint: “Defensive Mapping Agency Hydrographic and Geographic Center’s Office of Distribution and Services (Pathfinder Liaison Office).”
It was a somewhat long-winded appellation, to be sure. But the mere mention of the name was enough to send the bravest pencil-pushers into paroxysms of paranoia and dread.
Had they triple stamped the approval sheets in the appropriate color of ink? Had they used the correct stock number to indicate the maps they needed to requisition? And most importantly, would the stern guardian of the inner sanctum show them mercy today?
As if in answer to that question the door flew open with a bang and a mustachioed corporal stormed out, crying:
“How can you do this to me? This is outrageous! Unfair! How can I be a commissioned officer and be denied access to my flipping field sketches?”
“You will sit down, corporal,” came the stern reproof from the man inside, making all the waiting supplicants jump in their seats as if at the crack of a bullwhip.
“I…I…” the officer gulped, his frustration petering out beneath the withering glare of the bald man sitting behind the cheap plywood desk and stacks of misprints.
“I’m sorry,” the corporal finally whimpered, all but tucking his tail between his legs. Everyone else studiously examined their fingernails or stared at the ceiling, having no desire to catch a stray bullet from the exchange.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I’m sorry, navigator Deschane,” the luckless man finished, meekly returning to his seat, “B-but please, sir, you must understand. I’ve been trying to get these set of maps for my unit for days now. I’ve completed forms 22-A through 34-D along with all the supplementals. I filled in the boxes with black ink and the region names in blue as per regulations. I’ve even listed the stock numbers alphabetically just like you told me to, which I’m beginning to suspect isn’t even an actual requirement at all!”
“Indeed, it isn’t,” Deschane admitted, “That was just a helpful suggestion on my part. It wouldn’t hurt to be more organized, now would it?”
“So I’ve done everything you asked?”
“Why, yes,” Deschane said, sounding pleasantly surprised. He put on a pair of wire spectacles and shuffled some sheets of paper around, “You have completed all the documentation needed to requisition copies of classification level C field sketches. Good job.”
Deschane held out a stack of freshly printed papers and the corporal’s face lit up with happiness. But his hopes were immediately dashed when Deschane continued: “Now just repeat all those steps for the other grid zones and I can give you the rest of the maps you ordered.”
The navigator handed him a single copy off the pile and withheld all the rest. The corporal gave a feeble chuckle and said:
“I think I just misheard you, dear fellow. Did you just say that I have to redo all this paperwork fourteen more times?”
“The regulations are quite clear. Form 29-E can only be used to apply for one copy at a time. So you see, my hands are tied.”
“Alright, fine,” pressed the corporal, still stuck at the bargaining phase of the five stages of grief, “So all I have to do is fill out fourteen more copies of 29-E and not all the rest of that rubbish, aye?”
Outside, the people in the queue all winced at his stupidity. It was never a good idea to get uppity with Nv. Deschane.
“That would suffice,” Deschane frowned, “But for the purposes of filing it would be more efficient if each copy of 29-E came attached with copies of all the other forms, just to avoid confusion in the procurement process. Otherwise there really is no telling how long the process might be delayed. Days? Weeks? Months?”
“Navigator,” the corporal pleaded in a fit of depression, which was the fourth stage of grief, “My battalion cannot attack the enemy if it does not know where that enemy is! We cannot function without maps! Do you want us to go in completely blind, like hogs to the slaughter?”
“All I’m asking is that you adhere to standard procurement procedures. Yours is not the only battalion in need of crucial information. Rest assured that our staff is working round the clock to provide for the needs of the brave soldiers spearheading the coming offensive. But you must understand that good maps are a precious and delicate resource that must be handled with care—”
Deschane’s rational explanations were interrupted by the door to the adjoining office flying open with a cacophony of curses and bestial squeals. Corporal Ven appeared,s struggling mightily to wrest a stack of envelopes from the jaws of a very annoyed mother hog. Finally tearing them loose and shooing the belligerent sow back into its pen, she did an about face and saluted Deschane, announcing:
“Here are the planimetric maps for the 9th Infantry Regiment.”
Then Ven saw a bite-sized chunk missing from the corners of the sheaf and her face took on a crestfallen expression. Deschane accepted it with a nod of thanks and turned his attention back to the mortified corporal, who licked his mustachios nervously and said:
“I think finally understand what’s going on here. And look, I get it. Anyone who gets reassigned to a reeking dungeon like this one has got to make a living somehow. If it’s a question of money—”
“I believe I was the one who misheard this time,” Deschane cut in, his voice as frigid as an ice pick in a freezer. The people in the queue shook their heads; the corporal had dug his own grave good and deep now, “Are you under the impression that I’m soliciting a bribe?”
“Don’t be absurd!” the nitwit backpedaled, “That’s the furthest thing on my mind. Just an exchange of gifts between good friends, is all—"
“Leave the door open on your way out,” Deschane said, his pen scratching busily at an approval slip.
“But why?”
“I don’t need financial incentives to do my job. I am not a base criminal, sir.”
“Then why are you making my life so bloody difficult?”
“Because I believe in organization,” Deschane said without looking up, “This virtue above all else is what allowed humanity to claw its way back from the brink. It is the engine that drives our ascent back into the celestial firmament from whence we came. And if the engine fails,” Deschane peered at him over the rim of his spectacles, “then so shall we. Next!”
The corporal left the office with a look of dazed acceptance. The line shuffled forwards. Hours passed and the queue eventually shortened. Most of the officers were turned away in disappointment, while the rest dashed out from the cubicle clutching their fresh copies to their chests as if they could hardly believe their good fortune. This went on until the refracted light of the solar prisms studding the walls went the color of runny eggs, signaling the arrival of dusk.
“That’s it for today folks,” Ven said, taking out her glowbowl of bioluminescent algae and shining it into the faces of the men who’d dozed off on the pews, “Same time again tomorrow!”
There were groans of half-hearted protest as the intelligence officers drooped off back home to try another day. A latecomer arrived just as the last of them filed out. He went over to the animal pens, clicking his tongue at the unguloids and tossing them bits of corn husk from the floor.
“I’m sorry sir, but you’ll have to come back in the morning,” Ven told him, “Navigator Deschane is—”
“A very busy man. So I have observed,” the man turned, smiling sweetly. He was dressed in the most outlandish garb Ven had ever seen, a scandalously skimpy loincloth beneath robes of see-through abaca being all that covered his modesty.
“Oh! Wow,” Ven quickly averted her eyes, a warm flush creeping the back of her neck, “I didn’t realize you were so…so.... erm…”
“Ethnic?” the tribesman tactfully supplied.
“Yes! That’s the word. I hope,” Ven added in an undertone.
“I am Nong Acklund, a geologist from the Darood, in the Occupied Territories,” the tribesman introduced himself with a clipped accent, “May I ask for a moment of his time?”
The tribesman walked past her before she could object, slithering eel-like into the darkened office where Deschane was busy getting onto his crutches.
“Ah, navigator! I tried to catch you yesterday at your award ceremony, but you left as soon as you concluded your acceptance speech.”
“Hmph,” was all Deschane had to say to that.
“Oh, ha ha! There it is again: the entire text of your speech. If brevity is the soul of wit, then I guess that makes you a veritable prodigy!”
Deschane’s forehead knitted into a worrying frown. Ven knew that look and placed herself between the two to protect Nong from bodily harm.
“Soldier, what is this civilian doing here?” Deschane said quietly and without taking his eyes off the shameless exhibitionist.
“He is attempting to be funny,” Nong replied, “He sees now that this approach will prove fruitless. I’ll get to the point: I am here to ask you about what happened at Mound 13.”
“They covered all that at the ceremony. I have nothing more to add. Corporal Vendamme, remove this person before I do.”
Ven reached for Nong’s shoulder, but once again the tribesman evaded her, stepping closer to the navigator.
“I see. Either they have bought your silence, or you have been cowed into submission.”
“What did you just say?”
“Or is it something else?” Nong went on, blissfully unaware of the danger he was in, “Perhaps your being difficult and unpleasant serves a grander purpose. Even after those idiots confined you in this midden heap to rot, you are doing all that you can to delay their much-vaunted offensive for as long as possible. After all, an army is blind without good intelligence, and your superiors in their matchless arrogance gave you control over just that, didn’t they? Now the only question that remains is this: are you a traitor, Navigator Deschane? If not, then why are you deliberately sabotaging the war effort?”
Deschane was a long time answering that one.
“Everything I do is for the good of the Fleet,” he said at last, “I fight for the species. And if you call me a traitor one more time, I’ll rip your throat out with my thumbs.”
Indeed, Ven was wondering why he hadn’t done it already. Deschane had been through a lot in these past few days, and had been begging for an excuse to cut loose. The tribesman beamed again, only this time it was genuine, each crooked tooth gleaming like ivory.
“A believer! Excellent. You fight that we may reattain our ancient godhead—yes, I overheard that conversation with that poor young fool. But it is one thing to believe, and another thing entirely to know. And so, my good navigator, I have one final question. Do you know what this is?”
Nong drew something from the folds of his loincloth and slammed it on the desk. Initially Ven thought it was some sort of tribal fetish, an idol carved from ultrapod horn and sculpted into the crude likeness of a human. It was about ten centimeters tall and sported an eggshell head, hunched shoulders and a single crimson dot in the place of a face.
Ven had owned a similar doll in her childhood, made for her by her native servant, a sweet old maid by the name of Riyah with raisin-wrinkle cheeks who smelled like rosewater. There was a thin horizontal slot in the middle of its belly—perhaps it was a child’s piggy bank?
But then Nong touched something on the side of the idol and the thing stirred to life, stocky legs pumping as it strode ponderously across the desk. It swiveled on its waist and knocked over a pile of misprints with its arm and sent them scattering all over the dung-spattered floorboards. Then it turned to Ven and spoke in a tinny little voice:
“…your…future…built…today. Say chzzztt!”
The red eye flashed dangerously, and Ven flinched. The idol hummed and whirred as some hidden mechanism activated. A square of semirigid material shot out of the slot and spun in the air. Ven caught it before it fell and found herself looking at an image of her frightened face etched into a card of strange transparent crystal, with the following words stamped below it:
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
“Well, paint me in polka dots and slap me silly,” she breathed in amazement, “Look, sir. It’s me!”
She held up the card for Deschane to see and received the second, even bigger shock of the day. The navigator was biting into his clenched fist, his throat working as he held back a tide of emotions.
“I thought I’d gone mad…” he whispered in a broken voice, as if he were all alone in the room with no one to hear him, “They’d half convinced me of it. Blood loss, shell shock, narcosis, morphine. Any number of reasons. My men…” he looked up at Nong, his upper lip stiffening, “My boys. Rene. Lethway. I failed them—failed them all. I thought it was a mistake on the part of providence, that I had been spared and they had not. But now...”
Deschane reached out with trembling fingers and touched the idol reverently.
“Yes, I do know what this is,” he told Nong, his voice now stronger and more assured, “This here is hope.”
First Chapter. Link for all the chapters available here: Engines of Arachnea on Royal Road
2024.05.26 06:20 anoncat1997 Figg Creation [Long Post]
![Figg Creation [Long Post]](https://b.thumbs.redditmedia.com/I8fohnGogEAEBTqvuN09XvFj8HVZpPjXll96VqFqp9o.jpg "Figg Creation [Long Post]") | Hello~! ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ submitted by anoncat1997 to FiggsAI [link] [comments] I can't sleep so I'm trying to tire myself out by writing a little 'guide' of sorts of how I personally create figgs (basically sleepy rambles). I'm definitely not as skilled at making figgs as other creators that I admire and whom are more well-known in the community, but I'm better at it than I used to be when I started. And, after much trial and error (perhaps one could even call it 'experience'), I think that I can give some good enough advice, albeit nothing too revolutionary (it's more so something that could hopefully help newer users who aren't familiar with bot creation). After all, we do already have multiple very helpful resources that I learned from myself, but I just wanted to explain the way that I put those resources to good use, how I personalize them, and give any other advice that might be relevant. Without further ado, let's start with the: 🟣 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 section of figg creation. For singular characters, I usually use the Leo Sunshine template provided by the site: [character("Name") { Nickname("") Species("") Age("_ years old") Features("Eye color" + "Hair color" + "Hair style" + "Skin color" + "Etc, as many features as you think are relevant" + "Other defining features like sharp teeth, scars, animal/monsteunusual features, etc" + "Even extra things like make-up, tattoos, piercings, etc") Body("_cm tall" + "_ foot _ inches tall" + "Body type" + "Sometimes specific parts that I want to draw attention to, like big hands or defined abs, etc" + "Sometimes NSFW traits, like details pertaining to the figg's genitalia and such") Mind("" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "") Personality("" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "") Loves("" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "") Hates("" + "" + "" + "") Description("" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "") }] And here's how I work through these sections in the template:
When I have a figg who's non-human, for example a fish-man or an anthropomorphic cat baron, I reinforce this fact in the Body section. So, I'd write something like this in the Body section "[Character Name] is a fish-man whose body is mostly humanoid, except for some distinct fish-man features" and I list/describe those features in the Features section. This can help the figg understand more about what you've put in the Species section and why it has those features, as well as perhaps how much control they are supposed to have over them (which you can always reinforce and/or detail upon in the Description section).
🟣 The Leo Sunshine template is quite simple and easy to use, but it's also very 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 to better fit your needs or if you notice that perhaps things don't work out exactly how you want during testing. Here are some extra sections that I sometimes add in such situations:
Quirks is where I add specific actions that I want the figg to do often (so what one would actually consider a habit by definition). For example, that they tend to fidget with the strap of their watch when they are nervous. Chat behavior is where I add if I want something extra to happen throughout the interaction. For example, I might want random events to happen, such as potential enemies attacking or the weather taking a change for the worst. Of course, you can also add this in the Scenario, if it's a specific story line that you want to happen. But I usually put it here if it's more of an easter egg that I want to happen randomly or under specific circumstances. Do test out what wording works best for you, however, because it might sometimes not do it at all or do too much of it. And, again, all these extra things can be put as either Habits/Quirks/Chat behavior regardless of their nature, because sometimes the speech pattern works better as Chat Behavior rather than Habits for example. Can't explain why but trial and error taught me that only testing can really tell you what works best. Another thing to note is that I almost always write these sections with {{char}} instead of using the figg's name. It's just (you guessed it) what's worked best for me.
[character("") { Nickname("") Species("") Gender("") Age(" years old") Sexuality("") Ethnicity("") Features("" + "") Body("" + "") Sexual Traits("" + "") Outfit("" + "" + "") Mind("" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "") Personality("" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "") Loves("" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "") Hates("" + "" + "" + "") Description("" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "") Habits("" + "") Quirks("" + "") Chat behavior("") Backstory("" + "" + "") Family("" + "" + "") Relationships("" + "" + "") Setting("" + "" + "") Location("") }] You can also delete or add whatever section/s you think might suit your needs better, such as deleting "Chat behavior" or adding maybe an extra section for "Hobbies". I've seen some wonderful creators even add "Fears", perhaps you could add "Phobias". You can add whatever you feel necessary if you notice that writing it out in the other sections doesn't bring a satisfactory result or if it's simply easier for you to have a template sectioned that way. Just test things out and you'll find out what works best for you~! You'll notice that I'm going to say this a lot, because some sections work perfectly sometimes just the way they are, while sometimes I have to change their name and/or wording entirely. I cannot explain why, but it's just the way it is. There's a lot of trial and error when creating figgs, especially if you want them to behave in very specific ways and have very specific backstories, etc. Another thing to note is that no specific template will work all the time. I've some figgs which have very similar concepts, so you'd expect that they'd be the same at their core, but I've ended up having to use different templates and wording for each of them. Some people even write their figgs in prose without any template at all, some just copy-paste things from the wiki, and there are so many more creative and perhaps easier ways to make figgs. Do, check it all out in the relevant posts that we have available in the sub FAQ mentioned at the beginning of my post. 🟣 The 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 part of figg creation. You can use the Scenario for a multitude of purposes in a multitude of ways:
And, like I mentioned before, this could also be the place where you write the lore of your setting, if you have anything special in mind. So, all the details that I explained in the Setting section above.
Do remember, however, that testing is the rule of thumb ( My personal advice is to write the Scenario in prose and use {{char}} and {{user}}. But you can try many ways to see what works best for you! There's no one way to create figgs after all. As for a character limit for the Scenario, I don't know if there is one. The longest Scenario I wrote was of 1841 characters and it still performed as intended without any hiccups. 🟣 The 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 part of figg creation. I don't use it often, to be fair, usually when I want to make sure that the figg will follow a specific speech or roleplay pattern.
I add both short sentences and longer ones to ensure that the figg can behave accordingly in any type of conversation, whether you're being casual or you're getting more serious. I also use this method of adding only sentences for characters from pre-existing media, like fandoms and such. I just copy-paste quotes from their wiki page The only "downside" that can arise from only putting sentences in the Example Dialog is that you have to make sure that your Greeting Message has the kind of roleplay that you're expecting out of your figg because the figg would otherwise be prone to ONLY speak in sentences without roleplay or have very minimal roleplay. A fun fact about this kind of usage of the Example Dialogue is that you can use it to include things that you weren't able to add in the Personality part of the figg creation (aka in the template) perhaps due to the character "limit". For example, for my vampire characters, I added how they feel about being a vampire in their Description but I went in depth about how they express it to others in the Example Dialog. Figgs can pick up on the ideologies and opinions that are written here and even get a general idea of what kind of person they're supposed to be. It blew my mind when I realized that! Because it was like discovering a "cheat code" to add extra flavor to the character, despite the character limit. Do keep in mind that if you add too much Example Dialog, it can end up causing the figg to directly spout those sentences word by word and to be too stuck in the dialogue that you put in. I don't know what the limit is exactly but I keep mine under 2000 characters (I'm realizing that this is overall the magic number for every section).
I always use "" to indicate dialogue and ** to indicate action/roleplay because I just don't want the AI to get confused otherwise, but you can of course do what works best for you. I will add more about the usage of this kind of Example Dialog below, as it's quite relevant and helpful to the creation of figgs that aren't just a singular character. 🟣 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. Just like everything else, there is no one way to write multiple characters but here's what's worked for me so far:
So, in the above template, the Description section is reserved for the things that the two characters share in common, some shared backstory, how I want the story to unfold, etc. And then a description of each individual character in separate sections as their Names.
In this template, you add in the Chat Behavior section what would have been in the Description section in the first template. And in the Description section of this template, you add the descriptions of the characters. In all of them, you can add as many characters as you'd like. And, as you can see, no one template will always work, so you can always customize the templates with different names for the sections and you can word things differently when filling them out. Another important thing is to include all characters in the Greeting Message to give the AI an idea of how you want to portray the interactions and that you want all of them to be active participants. You can certainly have characters pop in at different times during the story but that requires even more trial and error. How you'd go about making characters appear during specific times is to perhaps write something like "When {{user}} enters the Green Room, they will be greeted by Character A" + "When {{user}} enters the Yellow Room, they will be greeted by Character B" etc. Or perhaps it can even go something like "If Character A and Character B will start fighting, Character C will come into the room to break off the fight". These are just some ideas. You can either add this directly into the template or even in the Scenario part of figg creation. And to get the best results, I'd suggest reinforcing this behavior with some Example Dialog. So, let's say that you've put "When {{user}} enters the Green Room, they will be greeted by Character A" + "When {{user}} enters the Yellow Room, they will be greeted by Character B" in your free form/template/scenario. In the Example Dialog, you could add something like: https://preview.redd.it/dj3oodoqap2d1.png?width=732&format=png&auto=webp&s=9b621e486808fd30ee243722dfe558b6dda883a4 Or for something like my other example "If Character A and Character B will start fighting, Character C will come into the room to break off the fight": https://preview.redd.it/c1imgkvrap2d1.png?width=722&format=png&auto=webp&s=72d64cdec5f227d3fa5b5dc6ad655048e7827be0 🟣 Last but not least, the most impactful part of figg creation (in my opinion), the 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞. This is the part that the figg seems to adhere to the most, both in information and the way it behaves. The figg always does its best to mimic the writing style in the Greeting Messages (sometimes even m*ore so than the Example Dialog). * I also want to add a few extra things: 🟣 Character limit: I recommended keeping the Personality part of figg creation (so, where you'd have your template) under 2000 characters. Small sleepy digression: I say this based on my own testing that drove me crazy when I started using figgs because I was too ambitious and wanted to write the character's entire lore and world building in the Personality. Speaking of this memory that seems so long ago, I am still beyond impressed by how quickly the devs upped their character limit after I made that post!! They're always on a speedrun to improve the quality of this incredible platform. They never cease to amaze me! It was also my first time creating bots, and I've been passionate about it ever since (currently at 169 figgs on my main account and 34 on my strictly NSFW account - not as many as others even in total but still quite a few). It's my new favorite way to channel my creativity~! Can you tell? ;P 🟣 Testing: Before I publish my figgs, I always make them Invite-only (so I pick the option "Anyone with the link" under Visability in the figg creation) and I chat with them and Edit things in the figg creation as I go until I'm satisfied. The way I test my figgs is not only with my own account but also in Incognito mode. I've noticed that the figg sometimes acts differently if I'm not interacting with it from my own account for some reason, so I do it both ways to get a full idea of how it performs (the difference is not as big as it used to be in the past, but it's still good to check just in case). And if you have friends who might be interested in testing your figgs out for you, that's always the best since they can put them through some very unexpected scenarios. My friends usually bonk my figgs in the head or such silly things, so it's funny (and unexpectedly insightful) to see how the figgs react. The only way to really get it right is to not get discouraged and keep trying until you get to a point that you're sufficiently satisfied with. Try out every resource that you can find, try wording things differently, ask for help, take a break, do whatever is best for you. And I think that this concludes my little pointless 'guide' of sorts. It's things that I've probably commented about before and things that I'm sure other creators have also said, but I just wanted to put it all together. If it's of help to anyone, then I'm happy. If not, then I'm sorry for taking up space on the sub, lol. ;u; Edit: I hate the screenshots, they stick out like a sore thumb but Reddit was messing up the formatting of the Example Dialog and I need it to be accurate to how it's supposed to be written. It kept adding the "\" symbol throughout sentences for some reason, as well as not writing things on a new line like I typed it. \sigh** |
2024.05.26 06:14 amion11 confusing symptom picture- babesia herx?
Hi all, I have lyme and bartonella and maybe babesia- indeterminate Igenex test and neg PCR. Clinically I have insomnia and night sweats in addition to my garbage can of other symptoms.
Anyway, when I briefly took Mimosa Pudica to treat babesia and now on mepron/azithro the same thing happened- I got a fever, chills, night sweats, and, oddly, congestion, my teeth hurt, head pressure, sore throat. I often get symptoms of feeling feverish with sore throat/head pressure/some kind of inflammation in nose or sinus so this reaction feels like it could be a herx as it is an exacerbation of the underlying symptom. But I can never figure out if I happen to have some other viral illness that is causing the congestion because it seems like a weird herx symptom. Does anyone have these symptoms as part of their symptoms or herxes?
submitted by amion11 to Lyme [link] [comments]
Anyway, when I briefly took Mimosa Pudica to treat babesia and now on mepron/azithro the same thing happened- I got a fever, chills, night sweats, and, oddly, congestion, my teeth hurt, head pressure, sore throat. I often get symptoms of feeling feverish with sore throat/head pressure/some kind of inflammation in nose or sinus so this reaction feels like it could be a herx as it is an exacerbation of the underlying symptom. But I can never figure out if I happen to have some other viral illness that is causing the congestion because it seems like a weird herx symptom. Does anyone have these symptoms as part of their symptoms or herxes?
2024.05.26 06:14 No_Fishing_702 Bactrim and cough
I started taking bactrim for a possible urinary tract problem and within a day or two of being on it I developed a cough. The cough feels congestive in my chest, and like I could get something up if I coughed hard enough. My throat has been a little sore to go along with it but nothing too bad, maybe like a slight hoarseness without effecting my voice too much. The cough also is not persistent and it occurs only a few times a day.
I haven’t had a fever, or skin rash, or other common symptoms of a bad reaction, I’m just wondering if the bactrim is the cause?
submitted by No_Fishing_702 to Antibiotics [link] [comments]
I haven’t had a fever, or skin rash, or other common symptoms of a bad reaction, I’m just wondering if the bactrim is the cause?
2024.05.26 06:05 Lost_Today_7803 AITAH for wishing to live with my cheating dad for my highschool years??
Sorry I have no idea how to do this since I don’t use this platform but I need outside opinions. For context, I (13F) and my sister (20F) have been verbally and mentally abused by our mom ever since I was around two, this was the age I was when they divorced and hell broke loose. When my mom found out my dad cheated, she went into a state of depression and began drinking and often getting drunk . Many times when I was around 5 or 6, she’d cry my name crying about how sorry she was, but as a 6yr old I had no idea what she meant and she gave me no explanation. She used to frequently go out to who knows where leaving a 14 yr old to fend for herself and her little sister for the rest of the day. Through those long years, she’d often use unruly punishments for petty things. For instance this has stayed with me and still haunts me: I am a picky eater, so her way of fixing that was by sitting me at the table and giving me a large portion of one of the foods I hated. This one food she’d often give me was lasagna. Many ppl love it, but I hate its smell and taste, as it sickens me. When I told my mom, she dismissed it. Anyway, she’d make me eat it at the dinner table, but each time I scooped up the spoon and shoved a piece into my mouth I’d hurl it up. I hated the taste so much, but my mom wouldn’t care. Sometimes she’d shove the food down my throat.She’d leave me there for as long as her short paitence could until she would grow annoyed. She’d put a 10 minute timer on the oven for me to eat under that timeline, but whenever I didn’t(every time) she’d spank me mercilessly. This cycle would go one for 3hrs until she’d belittle me more and send me off to bed. This occurred for many years up to the age of 11. Now I can’t get into the vicinity of lasagna before wanting to cry and break down.
At the same time, whenever petty arguments grew between her and my sister ,who I’ll name Kay, she’d belittle Kay behind Kay’s back to me. As Kay’s little sister I was in a dilemma for what I should do since mom never stopped doing that and Kay’s self esteem dropped. For years, mom would get into petty fights with us as she’d yell at us, gaslight us, and belittle us infront of eachother, infront of our friends, and even in crowds. One Halloween in 2023, I had gotten left behind by my mom’s bsf and her bsf’s daughter. I went looking for both of them but to no avail I went to the gate (it was a gated neighborhood). As I was walking, I couldn’t help but feel that something bad could happen. I continue and I find my mom looking for me. I don’t know how long I was gone for,but I certainly was scared I could have gotten hurt so I ran towards her in open arms. She didn’t look afraid or worried but instead angry. Instead of hugging me she punched me in the center of my chest (the sternum or wtv u call it) which hurt. Tears began to swell in my eyes as she began going ballistic yelling at me like it was my fault. I could even hear someone close by say ‘’oh!’’as they saw it transpire. Ever since then I haven’t spoken to her now ex-bsf, and I can barely stand to talk to her.
Often times I’d go to my sister for comfort, but she was no help. She probably has gone through worse than me as she dealt with the divorce after effects.
My dad on the other hand used to be neglectful and physical abusive, but those things were stopped quickly by his now wife, TT. I am eternally grateful for her as she is one of the only reasons I wish to stay alive. She was the first to point out my mother’s habits when I was around 8, and since then was more of a get away from the abuse and understood our problems. She has felt more of a mother than my own mother, and I love her so much. Since the time my dad met TT, he became a great dad to me and Kay. He even worked on himself and became physically strong and bulk. He may be short, but that doesn’t stop us from calling him Mr. Clean since he bald, but anyway. He became a whole new person in the best way possible, and I truly love him so much, but he and TT moved to a different state. This stopped us from seeing him often, but when we came I always hated leaving.
Now onto the problem, lately I had been thinking about moving in with them as I had seen major mental and physical changes. I have become much more happier and less depressed and have managed to lose weight as that has and still is a major problem to me still. I brought up the idea to my dad and stepmother and they loved the idea and began highschool searching with me. When I told my mom I wanted to live with my dad she was surprised, but said okay.
Then a few months later, she brought up me moving and she said she still hadn’t made a decision yet. This confused me as she already agreed but when I asked her she began gaslighting me into thinking that she never thought that. Since I didn’t want another fight to break out, I dismissed it.
Now onto the present. We were having a conversation and she confessed that she truly was broken by the fact I wanted to leave her. She said that she had so much in store for us to do, and I wanted to scream at her and tell her my true feelings but I kept quiet.
Now I have no idea what to do and I don’t know what to do. Please give me some advice, and any questions you have I can answer.
submitted by Lost_Today_7803 to AITAH [link] [comments]
At the same time, whenever petty arguments grew between her and my sister ,who I’ll name Kay, she’d belittle Kay behind Kay’s back to me. As Kay’s little sister I was in a dilemma for what I should do since mom never stopped doing that and Kay’s self esteem dropped. For years, mom would get into petty fights with us as she’d yell at us, gaslight us, and belittle us infront of eachother, infront of our friends, and even in crowds. One Halloween in 2023, I had gotten left behind by my mom’s bsf and her bsf’s daughter. I went looking for both of them but to no avail I went to the gate (it was a gated neighborhood). As I was walking, I couldn’t help but feel that something bad could happen. I continue and I find my mom looking for me. I don’t know how long I was gone for,but I certainly was scared I could have gotten hurt so I ran towards her in open arms. She didn’t look afraid or worried but instead angry. Instead of hugging me she punched me in the center of my chest (the sternum or wtv u call it) which hurt. Tears began to swell in my eyes as she began going ballistic yelling at me like it was my fault. I could even hear someone close by say ‘’oh!’’as they saw it transpire. Ever since then I haven’t spoken to her now ex-bsf, and I can barely stand to talk to her.
Often times I’d go to my sister for comfort, but she was no help. She probably has gone through worse than me as she dealt with the divorce after effects.
My dad on the other hand used to be neglectful and physical abusive, but those things were stopped quickly by his now wife, TT. I am eternally grateful for her as she is one of the only reasons I wish to stay alive. She was the first to point out my mother’s habits when I was around 8, and since then was more of a get away from the abuse and understood our problems. She has felt more of a mother than my own mother, and I love her so much. Since the time my dad met TT, he became a great dad to me and Kay. He even worked on himself and became physically strong and bulk. He may be short, but that doesn’t stop us from calling him Mr. Clean since he bald, but anyway. He became a whole new person in the best way possible, and I truly love him so much, but he and TT moved to a different state. This stopped us from seeing him often, but when we came I always hated leaving.
Now onto the problem, lately I had been thinking about moving in with them as I had seen major mental and physical changes. I have become much more happier and less depressed and have managed to lose weight as that has and still is a major problem to me still. I brought up the idea to my dad and stepmother and they loved the idea and began highschool searching with me. When I told my mom I wanted to live with my dad she was surprised, but said okay.
Then a few months later, she brought up me moving and she said she still hadn’t made a decision yet. This confused me as she already agreed but when I asked her she began gaslighting me into thinking that she never thought that. Since I didn’t want another fight to break out, I dismissed it.
Now onto the present. We were having a conversation and she confessed that she truly was broken by the fact I wanted to leave her. She said that she had so much in store for us to do, and I wanted to scream at her and tell her my true feelings but I kept quiet.
Now I have no idea what to do and I don’t know what to do. Please give me some advice, and any questions you have I can answer.