Pics of track marks

• Kizer Mini Sheepdog Button Lock Timestamp/Album - $60 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
New never cut or carried. Never disassembled or sharpened. 154cm coated steel with aluminum black scales. Button lock centered and smooth action. Comes with box and docs.
• Spyderco PM2 M4 CF Timestamp/Album - $170 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
Light use cut and carried. Cut some boxes. M4 steel and carbon fiber scales. Blade has light hints of patina shown in pics. One scuff on show side scale. Action is smooth and slightly off center. Comes with box and docs.
• UPDATED TIMESTAMP FOR ALL BELOW
• Toor Chasm XLT Timestamp/Album - $190 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo cashapp USA
Catch and release. Second owner. I have not disassembled or sharpened it. Cut one box. I don’t know much about Toor and not sure the steel. Carbon fiber show scale which is super grippy. Thick blade stock! Snaps out and centered. Comes with box, card, and cloth.
• Kizer Megatherium & Minitherium Timestamp/Album - PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
Megatherium Blackwash - $130 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
Minitherium - $55 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
Blackwashed Megatherium: Second owner. Light use and carried. Looks like it was sharpened. Not sure on disassembly. S35VN blackwashed blade and titanium body. Smooth action centered. Does not have box or pouch. Small snail trail on clip shown in pics.
Minitherium: Second owner. Light use and carried. I factory edge I think and maybe disassembled. S35VN stonewashed steel and carbon fiber body. Liner lock. Snail trails on clip. Smooth and centered. Does not have box or pouch.
• Spyderco Amalgam Timestamp/Album - $170 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
New never cut or carried. Never disassembled or sharpened. S30v steel with CF scales. Action is smooth and centered. Comes with box and docs.
• Tactile Knife Co Chupacabra Timestamp/Album - $235 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA.
Catch and release. Had to debur it when it arrived. Never disassembled. Magnacut satin steel with black aluminum scales. The satin on the blade is very pleasant. Action smooth and centered using the spine lock (shark lock?). Comes with box and CoA (born 4/24/2024).
• Kizer T1 Timstamp/Album - $90 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
Light use cut and carried. Never disassembled and lightly sharpened on a medium stone. S35VN steel and titanium scales. A couple very light snail trails. Action is smooth and I think centered. Comes with box and docs and pouch.
• Bestech Tulip Timestamp/Album - $90 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
Maybe carried once or twice and maybe cut paper. Never disassembled or sharpened. Has been sitting in my knife drawer for a long time. M390 steel and blurple scales. Front flipper smooth action (it’s a tiny knife, need finger dexterity) and centered. Comes with box docs and pouch.
• Kizer Mini Sheepdog 10v Timestamp/Album - $50 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
New never cut or carried. Never disassembled or sharpened. 10v coated steel with soft black micarta. Action is smooth and centered. Comes with box and docs.
• Kizer Huntsmen Timestamp/Album - $155 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
Cut 3 boxes and carried once. Never disassembled or sharpened. S35VN steel with titanium and carbon fiber inlay. Action is smooth and centered. The holes are meant to symbolize the eyes of the Huntsmen spider! There’s a small mark on the spine of the blade near the tip and came like that. Comes with box and docs and pouch.
• McNees Mac 2 3” Timestamp/Album - $375 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
Carried and cut a few boxes. Professionally sharpened by a Mr. Kim. Was hair whittling sharp, now is just very sharp. I did adjust the pivot and used blue loctite. The action is super smooth fall shut. XHP steel in a polished stonewash finish. Centered and a beauty with MXG deep carry clip and original in box. Comes with box and certificate.
• Vosteed Rook Timestamp/Album - $45 PayPal F&F or Zelle Venmo Cashapp USA
New never carried. Charged battery and turn on a few times. I have the titanium version which I carry so this one has been sitting on the desk. Nichia 519a led (4000k, 95+ CRI I believe) and red aluminum body. Comes with battery/cell, usb cord and o-rings and metal can.

Hello everyone! Today Im selling brand new solid sterling silver chains and bracelets at a variety of styles and lengths for only $2.5 per gram. Why pay retail at a jewelry store?
Chains/bracelet Proof: https://imgur.com/a/3JvThQG
Coins/bullion/other proof: https://imgur.com/a/LS4m8Qr
Chains:
24” 7MM BOX LOCK Cuban Link Chain 74g- $185
22” 6MM BOX LOCK Cuban Link Chain 49.8g- $124
22” 7MM Cuban Link Chain 73.9g- $184
24” 7MM Cuban Link Chain 76.3g- $190
26” 7MM Cuban Link Chain 87.3g- $218
20” 5.5MM Cuban Link Chain 42.8g- $107
22” 5.5MM Cuban Link Chain 47.6g- $119
24” 5.5MM Cuban Link Chain 52.2g- $130
20” 5MM Cuban Link Chain 31.9g- $79
22” 5MM Cuban Link Chain 34.3g- $85
26” 5MM Cuban Link Chain 41.4g- $103
26” 4.5MM Rope Chain 49.5g- $123
24” 3.7MM Rope Chain 29.3g- $73
20” 3MM Rope Chain 17.9g- $44
26” 3MM Rope Chain 23.7g- $59
20” 3.8MM Franco Chain 33g- $82
22” 3.8MM Franco Chain 38.4g- $96
24” 3.8MM Franco Chain 42.3g- $105
22” 3MM Franco Chain 27.3g- $68
24” 9MM Figaro Chain 72.8g- $182
Bracelets:
8” 5.5MM Rope Bracelet 21.3g- $53
7” 4.5MM Rope Bracelet 13.2g- $33
8” 4.5MM Rope Bracelet 14.6g- $36
7” 3.7MM Rope Bracelet 8.4g- $21
8” 3.7MM Rope Bracelet 9.7g- $24
8” 7.5MM Cuban Link Bracelet 28g- $70
8” 7MM Cuban Link Bracelet 24.7g- $61
8” 5.5MM Cuban Link Bracelet 16.8g- $42
COINS, BULLION, OTHER:
1 Goldback Utah 2021 -$7
1/2 troy oz silver 2002 Libertad (see pics) - $25 $22
1/2 oz fine silver 2013 Australia ‘War in the Pacific’ - $18
1/10 oz fine silver generic round - $6
Cull 1923 Peace dollar (scratched, dings, see pics) - $26
Partial date Walking liberty half (I believe its 1919, but you be the judge) - $13
1856 Seated liberty quarter - $20
1836 Capped bust dime - $25
1876 seated liberty dime - $12
1944-D Philippines 20 Centavos silver - $5 $4
1965 Canada silver quarter - $5
1892 Sri Lanka Ceylon 10 cents silver UNC - $12 $10
Shipping is $5 ground advantage (first class) or $9 priority
International shipping available! Contact me for costs.
Orders $100+ ship free first class!
Payment methods: Zelle (preferred), cashapp, venmo, and PPFF
NO notes with payment please!! (Use an emoji if a note is required)
NO GOODS AND SERVICES PAYMENTS. PAYMENTS BETWEEN FRIENDS ONLY
Authentic solid sterling silver marked 925 Italy
More styles and sizes may be available upon request!
If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Couple of catch and releases up for grabs this evening. Both have COAs and pouches. Know your local knife laws. Pay pal G&S as I’m still a few swaps away from 25 flair. YOLO > chat. CONUS shipping. If bought tonight, I’ll ship tomorrow. Both really nice knives I’m glad I got to try but ultimately not keepers for me. OBO (make me an offer I won’t be offended)
Timestamp and pics
https://imgur.com/a/0KVwFIO
Herman Sting 182, m398 blade steel. Been around the swap but not carried much. I believe it has a factory edge which is still sharp. Has been dissembled as it had a rainbow clip and back spacer which was removed by a previous swapper. Favoring show side but a really nice herman action. Comes with the pivot tool. Check video but I don’t see much wear at all. SV 650 OBO
https://imgur.com/a/XjUjXGm
Tactile Archer with feather milling and blue/orange inlays, magnacut. I believe I’m the third owner but I don’t think it has been carried or cut or disassembled. Centered. Really nice shape, I don’t see any wear marks. Maybe one on the clip but honestly could be stone wash. Really smooth flipper action and falls shut. I personally can’t thumb or reverse flip it well but supposedly these take some breaking in. There aren’t a lot of inlay versions out there to my knowledge. SV 650 OBO
https://imgur.com/a/wXXZJDV
Thanks for looking. Let me know if you have questions or if I’m missing anything.
Trade interests, Eutsler stoned DUK (+$), user Rosie (+ a little bit of cash), other DUK/DUKlings considered.
Feel free to send me any trades but kinda picky.

Purtle's Internet Lineup for May 21st, 2024 8:00pm
Pics:

• my favorite part about this was people asking Adam Wingard what inspired him and he's just like "i think it's cute when my cat takes a nap in her lil cat bed." https://twitter.com/ThatWitchMia/status/1792264981712671230
  
• paper mario TTYD remake: oh my goodness gracious. this is not an edit. we won. we won so hard. https://twitter.com/Dededaio2/status/1792907310785830917
  
• these two might have the most catastrophically poor distribution of any pokemon in history https://twitter.com/Lewchube/status/1792960406010396726
  

Clips:

• bring back old trolls https://twitter.com/roxaplasm/status/1792234956405543407
  
• What if Pokemon and AnimalCrossing had a crossover game https://twitter.com/spicyBeefu/status/1792964068577296679
  
• Free-to-play versions of some of Falcoms games were apparently released in South Korea as part of a service called FROG in the 2000s. The way it worked was that players would watch ads that periodically popped up during loading screens. Pretty funny to see in action. https://twitter.com/bowloflentils/status/1780632118151856541
  

Videos

• Happy 20 years of Shrek 2! To celebrate, we are proud to unleash the official trailer for Shrek 2 Retold, our crowdsourced, scene-for-scene remake of the greatest fairytale sequel ever told! https://twitter.com/the3GI/status/1792318791944159460
  
• Find your rhythm with new Character BGM Settings in the Audio tab where you can change which track plays during a fight! Music throughout Street Fighter history is available for purchase with Drive Tickets or Fighter Coins - all packaged by series. Coming with the Akuma Update! https://twitter.com/StreetFightestatus/1792676674770792785
  
• It's your graduation day and this music starts playing https://twitter.com/MaryoZimmerman/status/1792712035035439333
  
• ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree Story Trailer [3:15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uT8wGtB3yQ
  
• Marbler has done it! For the first time ever, Super Mario 64 has been beaten in 0 A presses! https://old.reddit.com/speedrun/comments/1cx5yid/marbler_has_done_it_for_the_first_time_ever_supe
  
• Here comes new challenge screens customizations! Brighten your matches with these illustrations from kangyaku, the artist behind the web comic "You've Got This, Juri!" Pick them up with Fighter Coins or Drive Tickets on May 22. https://twitter.com/StreetFightestatus/1793039068114108517
  

Articles/News/Other

• Red Lobster files for bankruptcy https://old.reddit.com/news/comments/1cwgslp/red_lobster_files_for_bankruptcy/
  
• Nintendo acquires Shiver Entertainment from Embracer. "Shiver’s focus will remain the same, continuing commissions that port and develop software for multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch." Shiver recently worked on porting & developing Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1 https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/1792702231893946845
  
• 10-year-old swept into storm drain to become an organ donor, dad says https://old.reddit.com/news/comments/1cwq5t2/10yearold_swept_into_storm_drain_to_become_an/
  
• Scarlett Johansson Says She Declined ChatGPT's Proposal to Use Her Voice for AI – But They Used It Anyway: 'I Was Shocked' https://old.reddit.com/technology/comments/1cwsv4o/scarlett_johansson_says_she_declined_chatgpts/
  
  • Scarlett Johansson's response to Sam Altman ripping off her voice https://old.reddit.com/interestingasfuck/comments/1cwthib/scarlett_johanssons_response_to_sam_altman/
• Microplastics found in every human testicle in study https://old.reddit.com/interestingasfuck/comments/1cwzggv/microplastics_found_in_every_human_testicle_in/
  
• Minors again found working at Alabama poultry plant where 16-year-old died, Department of Labor says https://old.reddit.com/news/comments/1cx7umd/minors_again_found_working_at_alabama_poultry/
  
• Twitch - Today we’re rolling out two new content filtering and blurring tools that give you more control over your viewing experience. https://twitter.com/Twitch/status/1792965279959658758
  
• Tucker Carlson launches show on Russian state TV https://old.reddit.com/NewsOfTheStupid/comments/1cxcd7p/tucker_carlson_launches_show_on_russian_state_tv/
  
• JUST IN: Boeing offers condolences after a passenger was killed on a Boeing 777 plane, says their “thoughts” are with the passengers and crew. In total 30 people were injured and a 73-year-old British man was killed. The incident happened after the plane fell a whopping 6000 feet. “Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling,” a passenger said. “Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it.” https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1792929488730194207
  
• Why Were Older Pokemon Games More Memorable? and what takeaways on adventure games can we learn from this? (links below!) https://twitter.com/han_tani/status/1792888131248955781
  
• Gamers Have Become Less Interested in Strategic Thinking and Planning https://old.reddit.com/gaming/comments/1cxf1ei/gamers_have_become_less_interested_in_strategic/
  

As title says I’m 17 and went over 2 and a half years and was good for a while but around the 2 and a half year mark for the first time I relapsed a bunch of times for like 2 weeks, and than after that I went another couple weeks and binged again for prob 2 weeks. This helped a good 2 times after that with streaks being 1 month to a couple weeks, rn I been masturbating to realize tension cuz i noticed going long streaks for some reason makes me act goofy for some reason idky, so what I did was masturbate once every month to a couple weeks but I ended up binging bad this week. I prob masturbated 10-15 times within the past 7 days and been watching hella porn. What I noticed tho I don’t feel much of the social anxiety I just feel a little bit energy less and motivated. Like what it feels like now being in the lower spectrum of energy, it feels like I used to be the life of the party and like my energy would literally motivate people and to make them better workplaces that’s why they liked me a lot. Now tho it’s still kinda like that but a lot less energy and motivation, and just feel really sluggish and tired af. I’m just coming on here to say and if y’all got any questions about anything lmk. I should get back on track within prob 3 or 4 weeks Fs but itll be annoying it’s Alr tho

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/0SuNhBJ
See album for serial numbers and additional pics.
Howdy GAFS, please buy my stuff so I can buy more of your stuff! Dibs>PMs, I can accept PayPal f&f (g&s>15 flair, buyer pays fee), Venmo, and Zelle.
Scam warning: A user has created a private sub with my username and messaged a buyer in an attempt to scam them. If you call dibs on an item message me, I WILL NEVER MESSAGE YOU FIRST! Stay vigilant out there. Anyway, behold, my stuff:
Trijicon ACOG TA33 3x30 Amber Chevron with SLR mount. Older model that's supposedly lighter than the current ones (8.0 oz w/ mount on my kitchen scale), unknown DOM, tritium is dim but visible in my pitch black basement. Reticle is labeled "3x .223F" when looking through the optic - $700 shipped
Keyhole Forge Assembled A2 Upper Receiver. Got this for an abandoned blood diamond build, never shot by me. No M4 feed ramps. - $150 shipped
Primary Arms SLx Advanced 30mm Red Dot setup. Includes Leupold carry handle mount and low ring (either PA or Vortex, I don't remember). Also from abandoned blood diamond build, never shot by me. Not looking to split for now. - $150 shipped
Streamlight Protac HL-X package. Includes GG&G 1" ring mount and Amazon barrel mount modified to fit under a FSB. Yep, you guessed it, also from abandoned blood diamond build, never shot. Comes with original streamlight box but no batteries. - $90 shipped
Retro skinny carbine handguards with round cap and delta ring/barrel nut assembly. Had to file the front of the handguards to fit in the cap but it's not visible once installed. From abandoned blood diamond build? You know it. - $25 shipped
Set screw A2 Front Sight Base, .750 gas block journal. Includes installed front sight post and not installed sling swivel. Believe I got this from Dez Tactical. I'll take a dollar off if you can guess what build of mine this came from lol - $31 shipped
2x Knights Armament rail cover pouches. POUCHES ONLY. One marked Titusville, one Vero Beach. - $10 for both stand alone or $5 add-on
2x 1x milspec charging handles. $10ea stand alone or $5 add-on
PSA M4 waffle stock. $10 stand alone or $5 add-on

Howdy folks,
Before we get into it, first post here, please lmk if I did any formatting wrong or need additional pics/etc, thanks! No flair here as you can see but I'm +67 transactions on Knife_Swap and I've been on reddit for over a decade so deal with confidence.
Anyway I'm trying to clear out all my unused low-mid tier headphones, predominantly wired earbuds, in a bundle for one (I'm hoping anyway), unbeatably low price. None of this is audiophile stuff; msrps ranged from included with various cell phones up to $300 range for the Sonys. Altogether I have 15 sets of wired earbuds, 2 pairs of bluetooth earbuds, and two pairs of over ear bluetooth phones. All are used to varying degrees but function normally, the sony xm buds and over ears are in excellent condition along with the older sony over ears. No original packaging included for any items. I have, as pictured, a ton of random replacement ear tips for most of the earbuds - no guarantees on compatibility or completeness, but there's a ton there and most of them are cross compatible I have no doubts everyone can find their fit amongst the selection.
SV for the whole bundle (not looking to separate at this time): $200
Timestamp
Additional pics
Product listing:

1. Sony wh1000xm3 over ears
2. Sony wf1000xm3 wireless buds
3. Sony mdrxb950bt over ears
4. Jabra 65t wireless earbuds
5. Tozo T12 wireless earbuds
6. Apple EarPods X2 - 3.5 mm and lightning cable
7. Vmoda forza Metallo earbuds
8. Klipsch r6i earbuds
9. Sony mdr xb50 earbuds
10. Sony ex300 earbuds
11. JVC XX series earbuds x2 pairs
12. Unknown model Klipsch earbuds
13. Unknown model AKC earbuds
14. Sennheiser cx685 adidas earbuds
15. Unknown Skullcandy earbuds
16. Bose SoundSport earbuds x 2 pairs

I'm happy to provide additional pics/videos as needed - again nothing here is mint but nothing is abused or broken either - just looking to offload the whole bundle in one go! Payment via PayPal G/S, shipped USPS tracked and insured CONUS only please. Thanks for looking!

Top 5, a prominent figure from Toronto's streets, constantly sought to emulate his older brother, Foolish. Following Foolish's tragic death, Top 5 adopted his brother's persona, seeking validation and filling the void through online notoriety. However, his reckless behavior eventually led to his imprisonment for the murder of an innocent 21-year-old student caught in the crossfire.
Prison life starkly contrasted with the bravado he displayed online. The inmates quickly saw through his facade, forcing him to confront his true self, independent of his GGG (Go Get Em Gang) affiliations.
In this harsh environment, Top 5 encountered El Presidante, a feared inmate with a notorious reputation. Their initial meeting was brutal, with Mr. Presidante confronting Top 5 about his online demeanour. "You think you're funny?" The fearsome man growled, pinning him against the wall. "All that stuff you said about me online. You got the guts to say it now?"
Initially terrified, Top 5 gradually developed a complex relationship with El Presidante, marked by a mix of fear, pain, and a twisted form of affection. Despite the harsh conditions, El Presidante's presence became a source of bizarre solace for Top 5. He grappled with the guilt of abandoning his gang while simultaneously forming a deep bond with Elly.
Determined to remain close to Big El, Top 5 began acting out on Instagram Live using a contraband iPhone X, further incriminating himself and ensuring his prolonged incarceration. He even released a track from prison, confessing to the murder, which went viral and cemented his place in prison life, forever tying him to Mr Presidante.
Their story evolved into a tale of unexpected connection in the darkest of places. Top 5's journey from seeking clout to finding a peculiar sense of redemption and love with Papa Presidante captured the complexities of survival and identity within the prison system.

one week ago i was scroolling on twitter, where on my feed showed up some pics of really skinny twinks, focused on bone marks. i opened the profile, and saw lots of this. as my battery was low and i didn't liked or rtwed anything, i can't find this untill now. it's name was something with "mas" on the start and all content named of this, has this skinny boys with bone marks so cute. does anyone can help me to discover what was it name, please?

Join us on Discord!

Tigers (23-24) @ Royals (30-19)

First Pitch: 7:40 PM at Kauffman Stadium

Team	Starter	TV	Radio
Tigers	Casey Mize (1-2, 3.50 ERA)	BSDET	97.1
Royals	Alec Marsh (3-1, 2.43 ERA)	BSKC	KCSP

MLB	Fangraphs	Reddit Stream	IRC Chat
Gameday	Game Graph	Live Comments	Libera: ##baseball

Line Score - End of the 3rd

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E	LOB
DET	0	0	0							0	0	1	1
KC	2	4	2							8	10	0	4

Box Score

KC		AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	BA
3B	Garcia, M	3	3	3	1	0	0	.260
SS	Witt Jr.	2	2	2	5	0	0	.302
1B	Pasquantino	3	1	1	0	0	0	.233
C	Perez, S	2	0	2	1	0	0	.349
2B	Massey	1	0	0	1	0	1	.281
DH	Frazier	2	0	1	0	0	0	.194
LF	Melendez	2	0	0	0	0	1	.182
RF	Renfroe	1	1	0	0	1	0	.155
CF	Isbel	2	1	1	0	0	1	.216

KC	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	P-S	ERA
Marsh	3.0	0	0	0	1	2	43-26	2.25

DET		AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	BA
LF	Greene, R	2	0	0	0	0	1	.243
DH	Canha	1	0	0	0	0	0	.234
CF	Pérez, W	1	0	0	0	0	0	.296
RF	Carpenter, K	1	0	0	0	0	0	.282
3B	Vierling	1	0	0	0	0	0	.259
2B	Keith, C	1	0	0	0	0	1	.212
1B	Torkelson	1	0	0	0	0	0	.220
SS	McKinstry	1	0	0	0	0	0	.203
C	Kelly, C	0	0	0	0	1	0	.225

DET	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	P-S	ERA
Mize	1.2	9	6	6	0	2	52-37	4.57
Holton, T	1.1	1	2	2	1	1	18-11	4.24

Scoring Plays

Inning	Event	Score
B1	Bobby Witt Jr. singles on a ground ball to pitcher Casey Mize. Maikel Garcia scores.	1-0
B1	Salvador Perez singles on a line drive to right fielder Kerry Carpenter. Bobby Witt Jr. scores.	2-0
B2	Bobby Witt Jr. homers (6) on a fly ball to center field. Kyle Isbel scores. Maikel Garcia scores.	5-0
B2	Michael Massey out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Kerry Carpenter. Vinnie Pasquantino scores.	6-0
B3	Maikel Garcia triples (3) on a line drive to right fielder Kerry Carpenter. Hunter Renfroe scores.	7-0
B3	Bobby Witt Jr. out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Kerry Carpenter. Maikel Garcia scores.	8-0

Highlights

Description	Length
Bullpen availability for Kansas City, May 21 vs Tigers	0:07
Bullpen availability for Detroit, May 21 vs Royals	0:07
Bench availability for Kansas City, May 21 vs Tigers	0:07
Fielding alignment for Kansas City, May 21 vs Tigers	0:11
Fielding alignment for Detroit, May 21 vs Royals	0:11
Bench availability for Detroit, May 21 vs Royals	0:07
Starting lineups for Tigers at Royals - May 21, 2024	0:09
Breaking down Casey Mize's pitches	0:04
Analyzing Bobby Witt Jr.'s home run through bat tracking	0:11
Measuring the stats on Bobby Witt Jr.'s home run	0:12
[Maikel Garcia's leadoff triple]()	0:20
[Bobby Witt Jr.'s RBI single]()	0:17
[Alec Marsh fans Riley Greene to start the game]()	0:06
[Salvador Perez's RBI single]()	0:14
[Casey Mize strikes out Michael Massey in the 1st]()	0:08
MJ Melendez's sliding grab	0:21
Bobby Witt Jr.'s three-run homer (6)	0:29
Michael Massey's sacrifice fly	0:18
Maikel Garcia's RBI triple	0:24
Bobby Witt Jr. out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Kerry Carpenter. Maikel Garcia scores.	0:19

Attendance	Weather	Wind
	75°F, Partly Cloudy	18 mph, L To R

HP	1B	2B	3B
Clint Vondrak	Mark Wegner	Bruce Dreckman	Jeremie Rehak

Updated at 8:30 PM.
Remember to sort by new to keep up!

Good afternoon! Today, Perth Mint's Series Three (III) silver lunars are available in 2-oz, 1-oz, and 0.5-oz sizes. Details below!
Proof: https://imgur.com/a/h5h5Nka
Perth Mint Silver Series III Lunars (all are in original Perth Mint capsules and from mint rolls):

• 2020 Rat/Mouse
  • $96 - 2-oz (2 available)
  • $39 - 1-oz (2 available)
  • $48 - 1-oz w/ Dragon Privy (2 available)
  • $180 - Set of all three
• 2021 Ox
  • $90 - 2-oz (2 available)
  • $36 - 1-oz (2 available)
  • $42 - 1-oz w/ Dragon Privy (2 available)
  • $25 - 0.5-oz (2 available)
  • $190 - Set of all four
  • $150 - Set of three (excludes the 1-oz Dragon Privy coin)
• 2022 Tiger
  • $75 - 2-oz (2 available)
  • $40 - 1-oz (1 available)
  • $48 - 1-oz w/ Dragon Privy (2 available)
  • $25 - 0.5-oz (2 available)
  • $185 - Set of all four
  • $137 - Set of three (excludes the 1-oz Dragon Privy coin)
• 2023 Rabbit
  • $77 - 2-oz (2 available)
  • $39 - 1-oz (2 available)
  • $35 - 1-oz w/ Dragon Privy (2 available)
  • $25 - 0.5-oz (2 available)
  • $30 - 0.5-oz Colorized (1 available)
  • $200 - Set of all five
  • $140 - Set of three (excludes the 1-oz Dragon Privy and 0.5-oz Colorized coins)
• 2024 Dragon
  • $82 - 2-oz (3 available)
  • $38 - 1-oz (5 available)
  • $38 - 1-oz w/ Dragon Privy (3 available)
  • $22 - 0.5-oz (5 available)
  • $177 - Set of all four
  • $140 - Set of three (excludes the 1-oz Dragon Privy coin)

Please reply below before sending me a PM or Chat. For safety and security, please be sure that we both have posted below (You: "PM sent" and Me: "Replied") before you send any funds.
Pics - I will gladly send zoomed pics of the obverse, reverse, and on the Sigma if you'd like. These are all in great condition as I personally removed them from mint rolls.
Shipping - $5 for USPS Ground Advantage in a small cardboard box for up to 6 ounces, $7 for 7-10 ounces, and $10 for greater than 10 ounces in a USPS SFRB. I do not use bubble mailers - only cardboard boxes! Check my feedback - I pack securely and use plenty of tape! I'll do whatever I can to help; however, once in the hands of the USPS, it's between you and them for any issues. Please let me know if you'd like insurance or signature confirmation, and I'll check the rates. A tracking number will be provided as soon as possible. Drop-off to USPS will be the next business day after closing and funding the deal.
Payment - Zelle preferred; Venmo or PPFF for members with feedback; all with no notes.
Thanks for looking!!!

Ants entering the home via the track at the bottom of our sliding door - see pic. Looking for recommendations to remedy and keep those little pests out and or divert elsewhere!

2024-195 / Zedd MAP: 79.48 / MLZ MAP: 91.44 / Score Gap: 11.96
Wikipedia / IMDb / Official Trailer / Our Collection
There it is - the memory is clear as day. Somehow it feels like ancient history and just yesterday in equal measures. I’m driving my pride and joy at the time, my off-road Chevy truck. We’re “coming down the hill” from Folsom to our apartment in northern Sacramento. Little Miss Zedd is about 4 and is happily kicking her feet in the back seat. Mrs. Lady Zedd is next to me fiddling with CDs. I’m excited, the day’s excursion took us to specialty shops of every sort but when we got home - that’s when the best part begins. A new DVD is in hand, a Disney film I’ve never seen…
From IMDb: Basil, the rodent Sherlock Holmes, investigates the kidnapping of a toy maker and uncovers its link to his archenemy, Professor Ratigan.
This movie was very early in our collecting and it’s got a special place in my heart, marking it for special memory allocation. This was a “Little Mrs. Zedd” movie - a film she watched as a child and brought to the collection. One that I’d never even heard of. She was looking to make special connections with our little girl - in a mommy and me sort of way, but I was getting in on that action - Mrs. Lady Zedd culture is something I’m always happy to share in.
We needed something simple and comforting, today. Last week’s weather was bumpy and the need to have LMZ stay with us a few days has left us both feeling out of the groove. It’s always good to see Little Miss but not under these conditions. Mrs. Lady Zedd and I just needed ((shrug)) to reconnect.
While putting our needs through the noodle to figure out this afternoon’s film, the memories of that day, 20 years ago now, just showed up like an old friend. Up the stairs I went, careful around the mid-way corner, and back down, film in hand, in just under 35-minutes! Ok, that’s not particularly fast but standing amongst all those movies, I get side-tracked.
Speaking of MLZ, she says she saw it on cable, her mother wasn’t the “take your kid to the movies” type. I think, like me, she often used movies to escape. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Just, melt into a motion picture - let it pick you up and just whisk you away. When I can project into a story, everything disappears. Time, people in the room, me sitting in my chair, all… just gone. What you might call Suspension of Disbelief extreme (xtreme?) or what we call the Movie Bubble around here
((My favorite))
Film done, I’m much more settled, MLZ has that dreamy look I love the most. Our scores, so close on film after film in recent weeks, have become divergent. Who cares? I certainly don’t - of course we’ll be ultra close on some, super far on others. I’m convinced literally anything can be expressed in terms of a bell curve, including “people that love bell curves”. ((Mathematics!)) Here we’re likely just seeing the buoyancy of childhood nostalgia - something I’m sure Little Miss Zedd will be able to share in, thanks to her mother.
Movie on? Is there any other way. :]

I DO NOT GIVE OUT PASSWORDS! I USE 2FA & YOU SHOULD TOO! ALWAYS BE WEARY OF PEOPLE PHISHING FOR YOUR PASSWORD OR CLAIMING YOU ARE BANNED!
PAYMENT: Zelle (strongly preferred), Venmo, CashApp, or Paypal FF (Last Resort). High value orders and new to the sub Zelle only.
SHIPPING: USPS $6 less than 10oz. $10 over 10oz. $100 insurance and tracking included. Free shipping on orders over $500. Additional insurance over $100 is optional at buyers liability. Additional insurance $0.80/$100 coverage. I can ship other methods at buyers' request.
AUTHENTICITY: All of these items have been verified for authenticity using acid tests or a sigma. I offer a full money back guarantee on the authenticity of all items listed. I am happy to send a video of an acid / magnet test if requested.
If you need more pictures or info don’t hesitate to ask.
ORDERS SHIP THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY!
PROOF: https://imgur.com/a/Tc6XrxP
All Prices rounded up to the nearest $0.25
Coins:
Mexican Gold 2 Peso 1945 Restrike (2x) - $133ea
Gold Jewelry (ALL 5% BELOW SPOT):
14K Gold 18.5" 3mm Omega Chain / Necklace 22.514g Signed 14K Italy & MI - $971
14K Yellow & White Gold Two-Tone Ring Size 6-3/4 Signed 14K Makers Mark 5.267g - $227.25
10K White Gold Fuchsia CZ Heart Necklace and Earrings Set 18” Rope Chain Signed 4.39g - $135
Sterling Silver Necklaces:
20” x ½” HEAVY Figaro Chain 238g - $425
30” x 6.5mm Italian Curb Chain - 54.47g - $109
16” Italian San Marco Chain with 7” San Marco Bracelet 62.3g - $115
31” Puff Heart Necklace with Italy Rope Chain 15.4g - $35
30.5” Box Chain with Owl Pendant / Brooch (has attachments for both) 11.63g - $33 SOLD!
19” Italian Square Herringbone Style Sterling Chain with Czech Pendant - 6.28g - $20
18” Italian Sterling Box Chain with Ross Simon Cross Pendant 2.61g - $20
16” Sterling Abstract Glass Pendant Necklace 15.96g - $25
18” 925 Box Chain with Synthetic 14x10mm Sapphire Pendant & Matching Earrings with 10x8mm Sapphires 8.12g - $30
18” 925 Gold Vermeil Box Chain with Pear Cut Ceylon Sapphire Pendant & Matching Triangle CZ Earrings 12.13g - $30
20” Italian Millefiori Necklace with Circular Glass Pendant 3.18g - $25
15.5” Italian Millefiori Bead Necklace 3.98g - $20
15.5” Italian Murano Style Necklace (Note the wire is ferrous for strength, clasp and non-stone charms are sterling) - $15
15” Native American Fetish Necklace (Note the wire is elastic material for strength, beads and pendants are sterling) - $30
17” Sterling Bead / Clasp Turquoise Nugget Necklace (Note the wire is ferrous material for strength, beads and clasp are sterling) - $15
Sterling Silver Bracelets & Pendants:
8.5” x ½” Heavy Curb Bracelet 53.6g - $105
Taxco 7.5” Juan Luis Flores 70s Vintage Bracelet 43.49g - $86.98 SOLD!
Sterling Flower Filigree Bracelet 8” 10.19g - $30
Sterling Rose & Garnet Tennis Bracelet 7.5” 13.43g - $35
Ross Simon Sterling Rose Quartz Aventurine Tennis Bracelet 7” 9.50g - $30
Sterling Native American Bear Bracelet (Note the wire is ferrous for strength, clasp and non-stone charms are sterling) - $40
Sterling Silver 2-Strand Malachite Bracelet 7” 2.32g - $20
Sterling Clasp Faceted AB Crystal Bracelet with amazing sparkle (Note the wire is ferrous for strength, only clasp is sterling) 7” - $15
Taxco Hummingbird Pendant / Brooch (has both attachments) 11.95g - $24 SOLD!
Sterling Pink CZ Butterfly Bracelet 7.25” 7.5g - $27.50
Sterling Silver Earrings: https://imgur.com/a/rTrTKTE
Larimar Dangle Earrings 1g - $12
Dolphin Jumping through Hoop Drop Earrings 6.86g - $15
Taxco Sterling Half Circle Bohemian Hoop Earrings 9.24g - $20
Taxco Sterling Triangle Drop Earrings 9.43g - $18
Taxco Sterling Shell / Feather Drop Earrings 6.01g - $15
Taxco Sterling Triangle / Bead Drop Earrings 21.79g - $25
Flower Drop Earrings with Aquamarine Stones 9.28g - $25
Teardrop Shaped Earring with Black Beads 5.13g - $15
Concentric Oval Earrings 2.05g - $12
Leaf / White Opal Studs (Brilliant Luster on these) 2.22g - $40
Vintage Filigree Sterling Drop Earrings (Super intricate) 14.33g - $20
Vintage Sterling Dragonfly Earrings 12.39g - $20
Heart Shaped Drop Earrings with Lapis Stones 5.22g - $15
Sterling Silver Rings: https://imgur.com/gallery/65jVHip
Bali Swirl Design Sterling Ring Size 7-1/2 11.06g - $27.50
Large 925 Ring with CZ Size 6 5.97g - $18
Large 925 Ring with CZ and Flower Engraving Size 6 9.28g - $18
925 Ring with Bands of CZ Size 6 5.9g - $18
Wedding Band Style 925 Ring with Moissanite Size 6 2.41g - $18
Shablool Didae Israeli Filigree Style Ring Size 7.5 One-of-a-kind 8g - $25
Sterling Silver Flatware / Kitchen (MOST @ 95%):
Porter Blanchard Sterling Tea Pot 612g - $554 (95% of SPOT)
Gorham Sterling Footed Bowl 619g - $560 (95% of SPOT)
Pimaral Peru Sterling Serving Set 311g - $281.50 (95% of SPOT)
Assorted Sterling Spoons (Unmarked and the smaller two are thin) 44g - $40 (95% of SPOT)
English Shell by Lunt Sterling Silver Soup Spoons (4) 135g - $122.25 (95% of SPOT)
La Touraine by Reed & Barton Sterling Tea Spoon 30.34g - $27.50 (95% of SPOT)
Lunt Lus60 Sterling Silver Salt Spoon 2.94g - $10

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SwmBIJMCCA2Nj6wXJCCQXv4bn6hoiug5/view?usp=sharing
I've been creating and editing mix playlists for years and this was a huge challenge. I'm incredibly happy with the results and I hope you all enjoy it as well. If it brings one new fan into the fold, then I've done my job!
There is a Read Me file included in the download, but here are the must-knows.
This set is intended to be a full introduction to King Gizzard's music to share with those who are interested in getting into the band. The .zip file in the above link contains the audio files in .FLAC format.
The creation of this compilation was driven by two goals:
1: Provide a listening experience that is equal to their albums in terms of quality
2: Provide a comprehensive look at each style they've touched over the years
Throughout the compilation, songs will transition as seamlessly as possible to the next track in sometimes surprising ways. The sequencing has also been refined and tweaked over the past year to be as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
For some backstory, I grew up in an age where burning CD's was on the bleeding edge of technology. Because old habits die hard, this playlist is separated into five "Discs" - four studio and one live. Each Disc has been sequenced and mixed to provide a complete, satisfying listening experience on its' own. If you would like to burn the Discs to a CD, they will fit - you will only have to remove the song marked as the "Bonus Track" in order for it to do so.
Finally, this is a fan-made compilation that is intended to be shared, not sold.
TRACKLIST
Disc 1

1. Sense
2. The River
3. Robot Stop >
4. Altered Beast III >
5. Alter Me III >
6. Gamma Knife >
7. Trapdoor
8. Ice V
9. Evil Man
10. Nuclear Fusion >
11. Catching Smoke >
12. The Grim Reaper
13. I'm Sleepin' In (Bonus Track)
14. Let Me Mend The Past
15. Head On/Pill
16. It's Got Old

Disc 2

1. The Dripping Tap
2. Sketches of Brunswick East Part III (Bonus Track)
3. Rattlesnake >
4. Pleura >
5. Hot Wax
6. Shanghai
7. Hypertension
8. Fishing for Fishies
9. Magenta Mountain
10. Crumbling Castle >
11. The Fourth Colour
12. Black Tooth

Disc 3

1. Planet B
2. Gaia >
3. Gila Monster >
4. Gaia (Reprise) >
5. Flamethrower
6. The Silver Cord (Extended) >
7. Set >
8. Intrasport >
9. Oddlife >
10. Honey >
11. Inner Cell >
12. Loyalty >
13. Horology
14. Work This Time
15. The Bitter Boogie (Bonus Track)
16. Am I in Heaven? >
17. Hell

Disc 4

1. Change
2. Kepler 22-b
3. Plastic Boogie
4. Boogieman Sam >
5. The Garden Goblin >
6. Tezeta >
7. The Wheel
8. Iron Lung
9. Slow Jam I
10. Sea of Trees >
11. I'm In Your Mind >
12. I'm Not In Your Mind >
13. Cellophane >
14. I'm In Your Mind Fuzz
15. Her And I (Slow Jam II)
16. Float Along - Fill Your Lungs
17. Vegemite (Bonus Track)

Disc 5 (Live)

1. Robot Stop (Live)
2. Hot Water (Live)
3. Shanghai (Live)
4. O.N.E. (Live)
5. Billabong Valley (Live)
6. Mars for the Rich (Live)
7. Work This Time (Live)
8. The River (Live)
9. Magma (Live)
10. Trench Foot

Disc 6 (bonus mixes)

1. Crumbling Castle / The Fourth Colour
2. Gaia / Gila Monster / Gaia (Reprise)

Intro: For your distinguished service to the crown, you’ve been assigned the difficult and dangerous job of slaying a dragon purported to have slaughtered a village on the outskirts of the kingdom. It’s a job you should be able to handle, and you’re not too scared… now, if only the whole thing felt less wrong…
Summary: Listener meets a new acquaintance who befriends her, and offers to guide her where she needs to go. They face a danger together, and she learns that he is not what he seems.
Go ahead and monetize, it's fine. Word count is about 3800.
If you fill this or plan to fill this, please notify me. Please don't make edits without asking first.
TWs: Running deception, combat, discussion of mass murder (dragon burning places to the ground), possessiveness, forced sleep
Line breaks represent the listener talking or space where no one talks and should be short pauses, words within {brackets} represent the speaker’s tone or sfx. At ellipses, the speaker trails off, and at dashes, he is either cut off abruptly by the listener or by himself.
Author’s Note: And also the flipped version, for the draconic gentlemen out there!
If you want to read this somewhere other than Reddit, it's also here.
F4M version here.
​
​
{internal monologue} {disgusted} Ugh, those damn livestock merchants charge more every time. Gouging bastards, {rationalization} but I do need them to stay silent. If the town finds out how much food I have to purchase every month, it’ll only end badly. Besides, it’s not like even this much bribery makes a dent in my hoard. I should really just be glad I haven’t met any merchants with integrity, that wouldn’t end well. Good thing it’s a vanishingly rare trait these days… {annoyance} wait, no, that’s not a good thing, what am I saying? It’s sad… but it does make my life easier. Well, that’s a hell of a conundrum. {sigh} {bored} Not one I haven’t dealt with before, though. Have this conversation with myself every time. Oh, well. What matters is the food’ll be delivered soon, I don’t have to go into hibernation, and the merchants won’t talk. Anything else I wanted to do before heading home? Hmm… I think I wanted to stop at the spice merchant, see how much- {interest} HELlo. Who is that?
{curiosity} What would a knight be doing here? I mean, I suppose the goblin raids have been getting more brazen, but the town guards seem to have it handled, I haven’t even needed to get involved yet. I guess she could be here about that, but it doesn’t feel right. Maybe she’s just passing through? Well, best way to find out is to go talk to-
{quiet} Oh, damn. That’s- oh, damn. Fuck, she’s hot. {forced calm} Okay, composure. You are an all-powerful dragon. You will not be thrown off your game by one mortal, no matter how shiny her armor is. And it’s only her armor you’ll be looking at, right? Right. Ignore that beautiful face, you just need to find out what she’s doing here, not-
{suspicious} Wait. Who’s she talking to? {upset} The spice merchant? And he’s BLUSHING? Uh-uh. No. Not gonna fly.
{out loud} {sickly sweet} Hiiiii, hello! It’s me again, I’m here to pick up some- Oh? Who’s this? A new friend?
Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were having a conversation. Please, continue. I can wait.
{cough}
Oh, no, don’t mind me, just looking at… cumin. My, this smells awfully strong.
So sorry to barge in again, uh, I would like to buy these.
Are you leaving? Well, it was lovely to meet you.
{internal monologue} Okay, let me just finish up here, and I can go talk to her.
{pleased} Hah! Look frustrated, spice sleazeball. Serves you right. {confused} Wait, do I know your name? Have I ever asked your name? Eh, doesn’t matter right now, I don’t need to know everyone in the village. {disgust} Especially not someone who flirts with- {confusion} Wait, what am I doing? I don’t have any claim over some random knight, why am I acting like this?
{frustrated noise} Figure out internal dilemma later, find human now. Where’d she go?
Agh! Curse this mortal form’s short legs, I can’t see- wait! Shiny!
{out loud} Hey! Hey! Wait up!
{out of breath} Whew… Thought I was gonna… gonna lose you… for a minute.
Thanks. Only need… a few seconds…
{composed} Hi. I’m Typhon*.* Sorry to chase after you like that, but I realized I didn’t catch your name?
Oh, that’s a lovely name. It suits you.
{pleased} Oh, flatterer. {internal monologue} She’s smooth, isn’t she? I was expecting all armor, no brain. I understand why the spice merchant was blushing now, I guess. {out loud} I just wanted to ask you… uh, I wanted to ask you what you were doing at the spice merchant’s? Usually passers-through don’t stop there when they can get their salt cheaper elsewhere.
Oh, that’s interesting! I didn’t know you could find that here.
Oh, no, I don’t spend very much time there. I mostly go in, buy what I need for my next few weeks of meals, and leave. Other places to be. More important places.
{laugh} Well. You certainly know the way to a man’s heart. {internal monologue} A knight with both manners and a sense of humor… who’d have thought?
{out loud} Wonderful. So, what brings you to Wylgrith? It’s not a large settlement by any means, and well out of the way of… everything, really. What reason would a mighty royal knight have for stopping by? Were you sent to handle the goblins that-
{stunned} …Say what now?
The dragon? You were sent to kill the DRAGON?
Can you… not?
{off-balance} I mean- uh- Well, I don’t see why you would, do I? After all, the dragon hasn’t been seen or heard from in years, right? And even before that he didn’t harm any humans for decades. He-
I- uhhh… I guess I’m guessing he’s a ‘he?’ I did see him once, flying overhead, though, and he looked like a boy dragon. Kind of stocky.
I… suppose ‘it’ works as well, yeah. {quiet, sad} A little hurtful, though…
{back on track} Nothing, nothing. So, why are you killing the dragon, again? I don’t think… it… has even harmed a human in living memory.
{sputtering} What? No it didn’t!
I- I think I would know if it burned down a village. I mean, this place is still standing, right?
A different- Well, I’m sure he wouldn’t have done anything like-
{quickly} No, no, I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve met the thing, right? But it hasn’t burned down this village, so why would-
{tentative} Oh. They said that?
Right to the king?
Right in the middle of court, where everyone could hear it?
{sad} I guess that settles that, then. The dragon needs to die.
{internal monologue} Damn. What a waste of such a beautiful knight. There’s no chance she could possibly beat me on her own, so she’s going to end up- wait, on her own?
{out loud} {confused} And the king sent you? Alone, I mean? No army, or squad of knights, or cadre of mages? Why would he do that?
{awed} Oh. Oh, that is a very magic sword.
Well, no, I haven’t. But- but you can just tell, can’t you? It’s glowing! And it’s covered in some kind of weird letters, those have to be magical, right?
{internal monologue} {hesitant} Okay. That’s somewhat worrying. Even with all the useless sigils and that pointless glow siphoning its energy, I can feel the power rippling off that thing. Where did she ever find- No, that doesn’t matter. Could it level the playing field? Give her a chance? Hard to tell, I think, my senses in this form aren’t as-
{out loud} I’m sorry, what? I was distracted. Uh- it’s a very pretty sword.
{taken aback} That’s- that’s a good name for it. Very dangerous-sounding.
{internal monologue}{stressed} ARE YOU KIDDING ME? FANGBANE? SHE FOUND FANGBANE? HOW IN THE- {forced composure} no, I’m calm, I’m calm, it’s fine. It’s not worrying at all that she has the most dangerous dragon-slaying sword ever forged. Wow, this very quickly went from “I don’t want to fight her, I don’t want to kill her” to “I don’t want to fight her, I don’t want to die.” Okay, time to nip this in the bud.
{out loud} Wow, it’s done that much? I never would’ve guessed that, it looks much too fancy for that. So… you can actually kill the dragon?
{hesitant} You’re right, I suppose. If it burned a village, it does deserve that. Well… *{resolve}*Do you know how to find its lair?
No, it’s not. If it was, everyone would be constantly in there robbing the hoard, wouldn’t we? Everyone knows that the lair is somewhere on the mountain, but no one knows where.
{triumph} Yes. Except me. And I’ll guide you there.
{reasonable} We already agreed, right? If it burned down a village, killed that many people, it needs to be put down. I want to help with that, and besides, you need someone to take you there. You’ll never find it on your own, so you can’t be too choosy about who you bring, can you?
I like hiking, and the mountain isn’t dangerous if you’ve known what you were doing since you were a child. I found it once, but I ran immediately, because I didn’t want to risk angering the dragon. I think I can find it again, but it’ll be a long trip. Three days at minimum.
{internal monologue} {satisfied} Perfect. A few days wandering in the forest should discourage her, maybe I can even convince her I didn’t burn any village. {confused} Why would she have been told… {moving on} Doesn’t matter right now. What matters is getting her off my trail, and maybe getting to know her in the meantime… {upset} No! Stop that! Bad Typhon! She’s literally trying to kill you. She is not a prospective mate, she isn’t even another dragon!
{sigh} {wistful} She is gorgeous, though, especially when the light catches her armor like that… No! Stop!
{out loud} {serious} We should set out soon, then. Do you have enough provisions for the trip?
Good, good. No time to waste, come on.
You’re hunting a dragon. A dragon. Don’t you think it might be wise to move before he- it catches wind of your presence?
Let’s go, then.
{some indicator of a time skip}
{amused} What, don’t tell me you’re getting tired? We’ve only been hiking for a couple hours today, aren’t you supposed to be a big, strong knight?
You could take off the armor, if it’s that hot.
{concession} All right, your decision. And I suppose wearing the armor was helpful when the tangler tree tried to grab you. Fine, we’ll stop for a bit.
How much is left in your waterskin?
Good, good. Mine’s pretty full, I haven’t felt thirsty in a while.
No, we’re definitely going in the right direction. {grasping at straws} I recognize… uh, that rock! Yeah. See how it kinda looks like a bear, if you tilt your head?
Really? Well, I see it. Anyway, I remember seeing that before. We’re about a day’s walk away from the lair, I’m almost certain.
You know, you never asked why I decided to hike in a random direction for three days. {internal monologue} {pleased} I have such a good story for it, too. It’ll leave you crying, and then maybe I can-
{out loud} {taken aback} You do?
What? You’re a royal knight, one of the most honored positions in the land. Why would you feel the need to escape?
{internal monologue} What? What was that? There for a second and then gone, was that… a crack in the charming exterior?
{out loud} No, no, I understand the feeling. I just… didn’t expect it from this quarter. Is something wrong at court? Are you-
{inner monologue} {protective} Oh… Oh her eyes… So sad… What did they do to you, my knight?
{out loud} Please, anything you can-
{confused} What? What’s wrong?
No, I’m not going to shush, we’re talking, and-
{muffled} Mmph! MMMMPH!
{inner monologue} {angy} This presumptuous human dares lay her hand on ME? I don’t care what might be inside her, I’m going to make it outside- {considering} Wait. What’s that noise?
That doesn’t sound like- oh. Oh, those are goblins. And she wanted me to be quiet, and now they heard us, and- oops. Why did I not sense them coming? Goblins wouldn’t know stealth if it snuck up behind them and ripped their legs off, I should’ve heard them from miles away. This doesn’t make any sense… Oh, well. I suppose it doesn’t matter, in the grand scheme of things. Just a few more goblins to kill. If she’d just let go of me… wait, but I don’t want to reveal myself. That makes this much more difficult. Can I kill all these green idiots in my human form? {concerned} Oh, wow, that’s… a worrying amount. Where are they all coming from? All right, I think I can take- wait, what? Human? What are you doing?
{out loud} Why are you getting in front of me? That is far too many goblins for any human to handle, we need to run!
{internal monologue} {flustered} Wha? What does she mean by that? And why does she have to be this lovely as she says it? That’s unfair!
{out loud} No- you can’t-
{internal monologue} {upset} Oh, the stupid, brave, self-sacrificial idiot! She’s gonna get herself killed if I don’t help her- wait, what?
{taken aback} She’s- oh, wow, that’s quite impressive. That’s- wow. I’ve never seen a human fight like that.
{confused} Huh? Why’s she looking back… Is she angry? What?
She’s yelling something… She wants me to run? Wha- {realization} OHHHHH- She thinks I’m in danger, and she’s trying to protect me! She wants to- {touched} aw. That’s the sweetest thing… My heart- {serious} I need to keep this knight alive.
{realization} Oh! I have to pretend to be running, yes. I can’t help her here, much as I want to. Besides, it looks like she has it handled. Those goblins aren’t laying a claw on her, somehow. Guess it was a good decision to wear the armor.
{planning} I’ll come back for her later, and she can be happy that she kept me safe, and maybe I can use that to find out what’s wrong with her, oh, looks like she’s just about finished with those- {shock} wut.
What is that.
That’s a- that’s a freaking hellhound! What in the Low Realms is a hellhound doing here?
{protective} Okay, no, unacceptable. I am not risking my treasure- {concerned} the human. The human! Why did I just think of her as- never mind, time for that later.
{whoosh sfx}
{roar}
{desperate} Oh no, please don’t let me be too late…
{out loud} {furious} Stay away from my human!
{crunch sfx}
{triumph} Hah. That’ll teach you.
Did you get the last of the goblins, lady kni- {wary} What are you doing.
Put that sword down, please, I’m not your enemy.
Okay, no, no, calm down, there’s no need to get worked up.
This isn’t helping anything, can we just talk?
{upset} OW! All right, this has gone far enough
{magically resonant} Sleep.
{sigh} {fading out} What am I going to do with you?
{some indicator of a time skip}
{cordial} Good morning, lady knight. As promised, I brought you to my lair.
Oh, yes, you must be confused.
{whoosh sfx}
There, is that better?
{resigned} Yes. It was me the whole time.
No, it wasn’t. If it had been a game, you would be dead right now. Instead you’re alive, unharmed, even unrestrained, in the middle of my hoard.
Or didn’t you notice?
{amused} Yes, I thought that might get your attention. Being surrounded by enough gold to fill a palace ten times over generally does the trick where humans are involved, or so I am informed.
{annoyed} Fangbane? The sword that slew more of my kind in two years than any other managed in thousands? You want it back?
Tch, no, but I would’ve if I could. That butcher’s blade should’ve been melted down long ago. Alas, it was impervious even to my fire.
I thought that was clear: no, you can’t have it back. You can have another sword, even a magic one, but not that atrocity forged in steel.
{considering} That would seem to be the question of the hour, yes. “What are you doing here.” Well… why don’t you tell me? You were sent to kill me, that much is clear. But much more isn’t. I would like… an explanation.
{annoyed} Oh, come on. You’ve been interacting with me for days now. Do I really seem like the type of person who burns down villages at random? That excuse is worthless… and… {suspicious} I think we both know it. You were sent here for some other reason. What was it? Tell me, before I grow cross.
Oh, I believe they didn’t tell you. But, though I think you like to pretend otherwise, dumb is one thing you are not. You know more than you’re saying, so answer me. Please. Why does the king want me dead?
{stunned} That’s- that’s it? Of all the petty, arrogant, stupid- I’m not even going to bother trying with that. {snort} And humans use dragons as symbols of greed.
{explaining something obvious} Yes. Because I like gold, its color, its luster. And because I enjoy living comfortably. {disgust} Not just… to have more than others.
Even if you don’t want to concede the difference, surely it does not escape you that I earned all of this, not just killed its old owner and stole it.
{offended} Of course I did! The very idea of taking something unearned… ugh.
{considering} You really know so little of my kind…
All of this, though… brings us back to you. You were sent here, presumably because you’re the kingdom’s best knight, the one with the highest chance of victory. You weren’t given any backup because there’s only one Fangbane. And you were fed a lie about me slaughtering innocents to make the job go down easier, but something in you knew that it was a lie. Tell me, am I hitting the mark with these?
So, my question becomes… why didn’t you? You had me at the point of your blade, and with a sword like that and skills like yours, you could’ve done it. If you wanted me dead, I would be, draconic magic and might notwithstanding. Instead, all I have is a scratch on my snout- {venomous} yes, that is the scar on my nose. Injuries do carry over, thank you so much for noticing.
{curious} And now you’re sorry. I don’t think I understand you at all, no matter how hard I try. Please, answer me. I want to.
Wha- {sigh} {exasperated} Well, if you were so certain it was a lie, why come here in the first place? If you felt you were given unjust orders, you could’ve just left the kingdom. Plenty of other places need knights, and there’s always work to be found as a sellsword. You risked much to gain… nothing, as best as I can see.
{dangerous} He… he what?
The king threatened to…
{cold} No. No, that is unacceptable.
No one threatens my human.
Yes, my human. I- {sigh} {warmer} I believe an explanation is in order. You see, I finally figured out what I’ve been feeling these past few days. At first, I thought it might be love, and, well, I suppose it is, of a kind: hoarding instinct. I feel hoarding instinct when I look at you. I saw you for the first time, and something in me just knew. You are the most precious treasure in this entire cavern, and I need to protect and keep you until the end of time, like the work of art you are.
{worried} Ohh, that’s not a good expression. Did I say something wrong? Come on too strong? I promise, living here won’t be bad at all, it’s quite a comfortable lair, whether I’m in human form or dragon. I maintain a good relationship with the villagers, too, so we can even go down to Wylgrith on day trips, as long as you don’t try to leave. You understand the importance of that, I trust.
{calming} No, no, don’t get all worked up. There’s no need to do something we’ll both regret.
Please, calm down. We’re both rational people, let’s discuss this as such.
{harder} Human, I don’t want to put you to sleep again. Don’t make me.
{pleased} Good, that’s much better. Now, what are your objections?
Mhm, mhm… {logical} Well, in point of fact, no, you don’t have a home anymore. If you go back without proof of my demise, the king will have you executed, will he not?
As I thought. So there’s nowhere else for you to be. As to your next point, of course I won’t keep you as a pet, you’re a sentient human. You have your own free will, thoughts, ideas, desires, the whole package. You would never be a pet. You will be my treasure. Very different thing, and it means I will want to keep you close, keep you safe, and stare at your radiance for as long as draconically possible.
{considering} Well, no, I haven’t heard of this. A living part of a dragon’s hoard? I believe it’s unprecedented, since nothing but gold lasts forever. Nevertheless, we’ll figure something out, we can make it work. And this doesn’t reflect strangely on me, you needn’t worry. I am one of the eldest dragons of this age, the young are used to my… peculiarities by now.
{pleased} Ah, yes, I wondered when we would get to that point. No, as a matter of fact, the king will not be sending other knights, or mages, or armies after me. I will not be killed like that, and you will not be reclaimed by them. And do you wish to know why?
{colder than ice} Because I am going to burn this kingdom to the ground. {amused} Naturally. I could overlook the attempt on my life - it brought me the most precious treasure I have ever known, after all, - I could forgive the use of Fangbane, since now I can make sure it never harms one of my kind again, I could even somewhat tolerate the blatant lies spread about me as flimsy justification. {angry} What I cannot accept, however, is what they have done to you. Threats on your life, on your body, on those you protect, promises of execution, forcing you to stain your soul against your will… no. No one is permitted to harm my human and live. This will, I admit, be something of a first for dragonkind, actually killing humans instead of protecting them is practically unheard of. I may even face repercussions from my kind for this. I find it hard to care, though, these ones are only getting what they deserve, for their actions or their complacence.
Now you’re getting upset again. {soothing} Don’t worry, this isn’t a sign of my outlook changing. I still have no desire to harm humans, and the village is perfectly safe.
We were communicating so well a second ago, if we could return to that, I would be grateful.
I promise you, this shouting and carrying on is nothing but counterproductive.
{tired} Lady knight, if you are not capable of being objective, I will be forced to- oh, forget it.
{magically resonant} Sleep.
{gentle} {slowly fading out} I truly am sorry to do this to you, but I can’t have you fighting me on this. I don’t want you to be upset at me, treasure, so, by the time you wake, the cause of this contention will be gone.
Shh, shh. It’s okay. It’s just a simple sleep spell, you’ll wake up comfortable and well-rested.
There. It will all be fixed before you awaken. Don’t worry, my treasure, nothing will ever harm you again.

Intro: For your distinguished service to the crown, you’ve been assigned the difficult and dangerous job of slaying a dragon purported to have slaughtered a village on the outskirts of the kingdom. It’s a job you should be able to handle, and you’re not too scared… now, if only the whole thing felt less wrong…
Summary: Listener meets a new acquaintance who befriends him, and offers to guide him where he needs to go. They face a danger together, and he learns that she is not what she seems.
Go ahead and monetize, it's fine. Word count is about 3800.
If you fill this or plan to fill this, please notify me. Please don't make edits without asking first.
TWs: Running deception, combat, discussion of mass murder (dragon burning places to the ground), possessiveness, forced sleep
Line breaks represent the listener talking or space where no one talks and should be short pauses, words within {brackets} represent the speaker’s tone or sfx. At ellipses, the speaker trails off, and at dashes, she is either cut off abruptly by the listener or by herself.
Author’s Note: God, this took way too long to write. A couple months, if you count when I had the idea and when I wrote the first few sentences. Well, it’s here now, and I hope it’s not too disappointing. Prequel series go!
If you want to read this somewhere other than Reddit, it's also here.
M4F Version here.
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{internal monologue} {disgusted} Ugh, those damn livestock merchants charge more every time. Gouging bastards, {rationalization} but I do need them to stay silent. If the town finds out how much food I have to purchase every month, it’ll only end badly. Besides, it’s not like even this much bribery makes a dent in my hoard. I should really just be glad I haven’t met any merchants with integrity, that wouldn’t end well. Good thing it’s a vanishingly rare trait these days… {annoyance} wait, no, that’s not a good thing, what am I saying? It’s sad… but it does make my life easier. Well, that’s a hell of a conundrum. {sigh} {bored} Not one I haven’t dealt with before, though. Have this conversation with myself every time. Oh, well. What matters is the food’ll be delivered soon, I don’t have to go into hibernation, and the merchants won’t talk. Anything else I wanted to do before heading home? Hmm… I think I wanted to stop at the spice merchant, see how much- {interest} HELlo. Who is that?
{curiosity} What would a knight be doing here? I mean, I suppose the goblin raids have been getting more brazen, but the town guards seem to have it handled, I haven’t even needed to get involved yet. I guess he could be here about that, but it doesn’t feel right. Maybe he’s just passing through? Well, best way to find out is to go talk to-
{quiet} Oh, damn. That’s- oh, damn. Fuck, he’s hot. {forced calm} Okay, composure. You are an all-powerful dragon. You will not be thrown off your game by one mortal, no matter how shiny his armor is. And it’s only his armor you’ll be looking at, right? Right. Ignore that beautiful face, you just need to find out what he’s doing here, not-
{suspicious} Wait. Who’s he talking to? {upset} The spice merchant? And she’s BLUSHING? Uh-uh. No. Not gonna fly.
{out loud} {sickly sweet} Hiiiii, hello! It’s me again, I’m here to pick up some- Oh? Who’s this? A new friend?
Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were having a conversation. Please, continue. I can wait.
{cough}
Oh, no, don’t mind me, just looking at… cumin. My, this smells awfully strong.
So sorry to barge in again, uh, I would like to buy these.
Are you leaving? Well, it was lovely to meet you.
{internal monologue} Okay, let me just finish up here, and I can go talk to him.
{pleased} Hah! Look frustrated, spice skank. Serves you right. {confused} Wait, do I know your name? Have I ever asked your name? Eh, doesn’t matter right now, I don’t need to know everyone in the village. {disgust} Especially not someone who flirts with- {confusion} Wait, what am I doing? I don’t have any claim over some random knight, why am I acting like this?
{frustrated noise} Figure out internal dilemma later, find human now. Where’d he go?
Agh! Curse this mortal form’s short legs, I can’t see- wait! Shiny!
{out loud} Hey! Hey! Wait up!
{out of breath} Whew… Thought I was gonna… gonna lose you… for a minute.
Thanks. Only need… a few seconds…
{composed} Hi. I’m Tiamat*.* Sorry to chase after you like that, but I realized I didn’t catch your name?
Oh, that’s a lovely name. It suits you.
{pleased} Oh, flatterer. {internal monologue} He’s smooth, isn’t he? I was expecting all muscle, no brain. I understand why the spice merchant was blushing now, I guess. {out loud} I just wanted to ask you… uh, I wanted to ask you what you were doing at the spice merchant’s? Usually passers-through don’t stop there when they can get their salt cheaper elsewhere.
Oh, that’s interesting! I didn’t know you could find that here.
Oh, no, I don’t spend very much time there. I mostly go in, buy what I need for my next few weeks of meals, and leave. Other places to be. More important places.
{laugh} Well. You certainly know the way to a woman’s heart. {internal monologue} A knight with both manners and a sense of humor… who’d have thought?
{out loud} Wonderful. So, what brings you to Wylgrith? It’s not a large settlement by any means, and well out of the way of… everything, really. What reason would a mighty royal knight have for stopping by? Were you sent to handle the goblins that-
{stunned} …Say what now?
The dragon? You were sent to kill the DRAGON?
Can you… not?
{off-balance} I mean- uh- Well, I don’t see why you would, do I? After all, the dragon hasn’t been seen or heard from in years, right? And even before that she didn’t harm any humans for decades. She-
I- uhhh… I guess I’m guessing she’s a ‘she?’ I did see her once, flying overhead, though, and she looked like a girl dragon. Kind of slender.
I… suppose ‘it’ works as well, yeah. {quiet, sad} A little hurtful, though…
{back on track} Nothing, nothing. So, why are you killing the dragon, again? I don’t think… it… has even harmed a human in living memory.
{sputtering} What? No it didn’t!
I- I think I would know if it burned down a village. I mean, this place is still standing, right?
A different- Well, I’m sure she wouldn’t have done anything like-
{quickly} No, no, I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve met the thing, right? But it hasn’t burned down this village, so why would-
{tentative} Oh. They said that?
Right to the king?
Right in the middle of court, where everyone could hear it?
{sad} I guess that settles that, then. The dragon needs to die.
{internal monologue} Damn. What a waste of such a handsome knight. There’s no chance he could possibly beat me on his own, so he’s going to end up- wait, on his own?
{out loud} {confused} And the king sent you? Alone, I mean? No army, or squad of knights, or cadre of mages? Why would he do that?
{awed} Oh. Oh, that is a very magic sword.
Well, no, I haven’t. But- but you can just tell, can’t you? It’s glowing! And it’s covered in some kind of weird letters, those have to be magical, right?
{internal monologue} {hesitant} Okay. That’s somewhat worrying. Even with all the useless sigils and that pointless glow siphoning its energy, I can feel the power rippling off that thing. Where did he ever find- No, that doesn’t matter. Could it level the playing field? Give him a chance? Hard to tell, I think, my senses in this form aren’t as-
{out loud} I’m sorry, what? I was distracted. Uh- it’s a very pretty sword.
{taken aback} That’s- that’s a good name for it. Very dangerous-sounding.
{internal monologue}{stressed} ARE YOU KIDDING ME? FANGBANE? HE FOUND FANGBANE? HOW IN THE- {forced composure} no, I’m calm, I’m calm, it’s fine. It’s not worrying at all that he has the most dangerous dragon-slaying sword ever forged. Wow, this very quickly went from “I don’t want to fight him, I don’t want to kill him” to “I don’t want to fight him, I don’t want to die.” Okay, time to nip this in the bud.
{out loud} Wow, it’s done that much? I never would’ve guessed that, it looks much too fancy for that. So… you can actually kill the dragon?
{hesitant} You’re right, I suppose. If it burned a village, it does deserve that. Well… *{resolve}*Do you know how to find its lair?
No, it’s not. If it was, everyone would be constantly in there robbing the hoard, wouldn’t we? Everyone knows that the lair is somewhere on the mountain, but no one knows where.
{triumph} Yes. Except me. And I’ll guide you there.
{reasonable} We already agreed, right? If it burned down a village, killed that many people, it needs to be put down. I want to help with that, and besides, you need someone to take you there. You’ll never find it on your own, so you can’t be too choosy about who you bring, can you?
I like hiking, and the mountain isn’t dangerous if you’ve known what you were doing since you were a child. I found it once, but I ran immediately, because I didn’t want to risk angering the dragon. I think I can find it again, but it’ll be a long trip. Three days at minimum.
{internal monologue} {satisfied} Perfect. A few days wandering in the forest should discourage him, maybe I can even convince him I didn’t burn any village. {confused} Why would he have been told… {moving on} Doesn’t matter right now. What matters is getting him off my trail, and maybe getting to know him in the meantime… {upset} No! Stop that! Bad Tiamat! He’s literally trying to kill you. He is not a prospective mate, he isn’t even another dragon!
{sigh} {wistful} He is handsome, though, especially when the light catches his armor like that… No! Stop!
{out loud} {serious} We should set out soon, then. Do you have enough provisions for the trip?
Good, good. No time to waste, come on.
You’re hunting a dragon. A dragon. Don’t you think it might be wise to move before she- it catches wind of your presence?
Let’s go, then.
{some indicator of a time skip}
{amused} What, don’t tell me you’re getting tired? We’ve only been hiking for a couple hours today, aren’t you supposed to be a big, strong knight?
You could take off the armor, if it’s that hot.
{concession} All right, your decision. And I suppose wearing the armor was helpful when the tangler tree tried to grab you. Fine, we’ll stop for a bit.
How much is left in your waterskin?
Good, good. Mine’s pretty full, I haven’t felt thirsty in a while.
No, we’re definitely going in the right direction. {grasping at straws} I recognize… uh, that rock! Yeah. See how it kinda looks like a bear, if you tilt your head?
Really? Well, I see it. Anyway, I remember seeing that before. We’re about a day’s walk away from the lair, I’m almost certain.
You know, you never asked why I decided to hike in a random direction for three days. {internal monologue} {pleased} I have such a good story for it, too. It’ll leave you crying, and then maybe I can-
{out loud} {taken aback} You do?
What? You’re a royal knight, one of the most honored positions in the land. Why would you feel the need to escape?
{internal monologue} What? What was that? There for a second and then gone, was that… a crack in the charming exterior?
{out loud} No, no, I understand the feeling. I just… didn’t expect it from this quarter. Is something wrong at court? Are you-
{inner monologue} {protective} Oh… Oh his eyes… So sad… What did they do to you, my knight?
{out loud} Please, anything you can-
{confused} What? What’s wrong?
No, I’m not going to shush, we’re talking, and-
{muffled} Mmph! MMMMPH!
{inner monologue} {angy} This presumptuous human dares lay his hand on ME? I don’t care what might be inside him, I’m going to make it outside- {considering} Wait. What’s that noise?
That doesn’t sound like- oh. Oh, those are goblins. And he wanted me to be quiet, and now they heard us, and- oops. Why did I not sense them coming? Goblins wouldn’t know stealth if it snuck up behind them and ripped their legs off, I should’ve heard them from miles away. This doesn’t make any sense… Oh, well. I suppose it doesn’t matter, in the grand scheme of things. Just a few more goblins to kill. If he’d just let go of me… wait, but I don’t want to reveal myself. That makes this much more difficult. Can I kill all these green idiots in my human form? {concerned} Oh, wow, that’s… a worrying amount. Where are they all coming from? All right, I think I can take- wait, what? Human? What are you doing?
{out loud} Why are you getting in front of me? That is far too many goblins for any human to handle, we need to run!
{internal monologue} {flustered} Wha? What does he mean by that? And why does he have to be this handsome as he says it? That’s unfair!
{out loud} No- you can’t-
{internal monologue} {upset} Oh, the stupid, brave, self-sacrificial idiot! He’s gonna get himself killed if I don’t help him- wait, what?
{taken aback} He’s- oh, wow, that’s quite impressive. That’s- wow. I’ve never seen a human fight like that.
{confused} Huh? Why’s he looking back… Is he angry? What?
He’s yelling something… He wants me to run? Wha- {realization} OHHHHH- He thinks I’m in danger, and he’s trying to protect me! He wants to- {touched} aw. That’s the sweetest thing… My heart- {serious} I need to keep this knight alive.
{realization} Oh! I have to pretend to be running, yes. I can’t help him here, much as I want to. Besides, it looks like he has it handled. Those goblins aren’t laying a claw on him, somehow. Guess it was a good decision to wear the armor.
{planning} I’ll come back for him later, and he can be happy that he kept me safe, and maybe I can use that to find out what’s wrong with him, oh, looks like he’s just about finished with those- {shock} wut.
What is that.
That’s a- that’s a freaking hellhound! What in the Low Realms is a hellhound doing here?
{protective} Okay, no, unacceptable. I am not risking my treasure- {concerned} the human. The human! Why did I just think of him as- never mind, time for that later.
{whoosh sfx}
{roar}
{desperate} Oh no, please don’t let me be too late…
{out loud} {furious} Stay away from my human!
{crunch sfx}
{triumph} Hah. That’ll teach you.
Did you get the last of the goblins, sir kni- {wary} What are you doing.
Put that sword down, please, I’m not your enemy.
Okay, no, no, calm down, there’s no need to get worked up.
This isn’t helping anything, can we just talk?
{upset} OW! All right, this has gone far enough
{magically resonant} Sleep.
{sigh} {fading out} What am I going to do with you?
{some indicator of a time skip}
{cordial} Good morning, sir knight. As promised, I brought you to my lair.
Oh, yes, you must be confused.
{whoosh sfx}
There, is that better?
{resigned} Yes. It was me the whole time.
No, it wasn’t. If it had been a game, you would be dead right now. Instead you’re alive, unharmed, even unrestrained, in the middle of my hoard.
Or didn’t you notice?
{amused} Yes, I thought that might get your attention. Being surrounded by enough gold to fill a palace ten times over generally does the trick where humans are involved, or so I am informed.
{annoyed} Fangbane? The sword that slew more of my kind in two years than any other managed in thousands? You want it back?
Tch, no, but I would’ve if I could. That butcher’s blade should’ve been melted down long ago. Alas, it was impervious even to my fire.
I thought that was clear: no, you can’t have it back. You can have another sword, even a magic one, but not that atrocity forged in steel.
{considering} That would seem to be the question of the hour, yes. “What are you doing here.” Well… why don’t you tell me? You were sent to kill me, that much is clear. But much more isn’t. I would like… an explanation.
{annoyed} Oh, come on. You’ve been interacting with me for days now. Do I really seem like the type of person who burns down villages at random? That excuse is worthless… and… {suspicious} I think we both know it. You were sent here for some other reason. What was it? Tell me, before I grow cross.
Oh, I believe they didn’t tell you. But, though I think you like to pretend otherwise, dumb is one thing you are not. You know more than you’re saying, so answer me. Please. Why does the king want me dead?
{stunned} That’s- that’s it? Of all the petty, arrogant, stupid- I’m not even going to bother trying with that. {snort} And humans use dragons as symbols of greed.
{explaining something obvious} Yes. Because I like gold, its color, its luster. And because I enjoy living comfortably. {disgust} Not just… to have more than others.
Even if you don’t want to concede the difference, surely it does not escape you that I earned all of this, not just killed its old owner and stole it.
{offended} Of course I did! The very idea of taking something unearned… ugh.
{considering} You really know so little of my kind…
All of this, though… brings us back to you. You were sent here, presumably because you’re the kingdom’s best knight, the one with the highest chance of victory. You weren’t given any backup because there’s only one Fangbane. And you were fed a lie about me slaughtering innocents to make the job go down easier, but something in you knew that it was a lie. Tell me, am I hitting the mark with these?
So, my question becomes… why didn’t you? You had me at the point of your blade, and with a sword like that and skills like yours, you could’ve done it. If you wanted me dead, I would be, draconic magic and might notwithstanding. Instead, all I have is a scratch on my snout- {venomous} yes, that is the scar on my nose. Injuries do carry over, thank you so much for noticing.
{curious} And now you’re sorry. I don’t think I understand you at all, no matter how hard I try. Please, answer me. I want to.
Wha- {sigh} {exasperated} Well, if you were so certain it was a lie, why come here in the first place? If you felt you were given unjust orders, you could’ve just left the kingdom. Plenty of other places need knights, and there’s always work to be found as a sellsword. You risked much to gain… nothing, as best as I can see.
{dangerous} He… he what?
The king threatened to…
{cold} No. No, that is unacceptable.
No one threatens my human.
Yes, my human. I- {sigh} {warmer} I believe an explanation is in order. You see, I finally figured out what I’ve been feeling these past few days. At first, I thought it might be love, and, well, I suppose it is, of a kind: hoarding instinct. I feel hoarding instinct when I look at you. I saw you for the first time, and something in me just knew. You are the most precious treasure in this entire cavern, and I need to protect and keep you until the end of time, like the work of art you are.
{worried} Ohh, that’s not a good expression. Did I say something wrong? Come on too strong? I promise, living here won’t be bad at all, it’s quite a comfortable lair, whether I’m in human form or dragon. I maintain a good relationship with the villagers, too, so we can even go down to Wylgrith on day trips, as long as you don’t try to leave. You understand the importance of that, I trust.
{calming} No, no, don’t get all worked up. There’s no need to do something we’ll both regret.
Please, calm down. We’re both rational people, let’s discuss this as such.
{harder} Human, I don’t want to put you to sleep again. Don’t make me.
{pleased} Good, that’s much better. Now, what are your objections?
Mhm, mhm… {logical} Well, in point of fact, no, you don’t have a home anymore. If you go back without proof of my demise, the king will have you executed, will he not?
As I thought. So there’s nowhere else for you to be. As to your next point, of course I won’t keep you as a pet, you’re a sentient human. You have your own free will, thoughts, ideas, desires, the whole package. You would never be a pet. You will be my treasure. Very different thing, and it means I will want to keep you close, keep you safe, and stare at your radiance for as long as draconically possible.
{considering} Well, no, I haven’t heard of this. A living part of a dragon’s hoard? I believe it’s unprecedented, since nothing but gold lasts forever. Nevertheless, we’ll figure something out, we can make it work. And this doesn’t reflect strangely on me, you needn’t worry. I am one of the eldest dragons of this age, the young are used to my… peculiarities by now.
{pleased} Ah, yes, I wondered when we would get to that point. No, as a matter of fact, the king will not be sending other knights, or mages, or armies after me. I will not be killed like that, and you will not be reclaimed by them. And do you wish to know why?
{colder than ice} Because I am going to burn this kingdom to the ground.{amused} Naturally. I could overlook the attempt on my life - it brought me the most precious treasure I have ever known, after all, - I could forgive the use of Fangbane, since now I can make sure it never harms one of my kind again, I could even somewhat tolerate the blatant lies spread about me as flimsy justification. {angry} What I cannot accept, however, is what they have done to you. Threats on your life, on your body, on those you protect, promises of execution, forcing you to stain your soul against your will… no. No one is permitted to harm my human and live. This will, I admit, be something of a first for dragonkind, actually killing humans instead of protecting them is practically unheard of. I may even face repercussions from my kind for this. I find it hard to care, though, these ones are only getting what they deserve, for their actions or their complacence.
Now you’re getting upset again. {soothing} Don’t worry, this isn’t a sign of my outlook changing. I still have no desire to harm humans, and the village is perfectly safe.
We were communicating so well a second ago, if we could return to that, I would be grateful.
I promise you, this shouting and carrying on is nothing but counterproductive.
{tired} Sir knight, if you are not capable of being objective, I will be forced to- oh, forget it.
{magically resonant} Sleep.
{gentle} {slowly fading out} I truly am sorry to do this to you, but I can’t have you fighting me on this. I don’t want you to be upset at me, treasure, so, by the time you wake, the cause of this contention will be gone.
Shh, shh. It’s okay. It’s just a simple sleep spell, you’ll wake up comfortable and well-rested.
There. It will all be fixed before you awaken. Don’t worry, my treasure, nothing will ever harm you again.