1. Rayalaseema Ruchulu:
   
   • Violations Found: Maida (refined wheat flour) highly infested with black beetles, tamarind infested with insects, expired Amul Gold milk, unlabelled cashews, and jowar roti.
   • Hygiene Issues: Blocked drain and open windows in the kitchen area.
   • Date of Inspection: May 18, 2024¹.
2. Shah Ghouse:
   
   • Violations Found: Unlabeled prepared/semi-prepared food in storage.
   • Hygiene Issues: Water stagnation.
   • Date of Inspection: May 18, 2024¹.
3. Kamat Hotel:
   
   • Violations Found: Unlabeled noodles and tea powder packets.
   • Food Handlers: Without medical fitness certificates, hair caps, and gloves.
   • Date of Inspection: May 17, 2024¹.
4. Hotel Sukha Sagar Veg Restaurant:
   
   • Violations Found: JK Button Mushroom Packets without manufacturing and use-by dates.
   • Kitchen Premises: No separation from the outside environment.
   • Date of Inspection: Not specified.

Source: 1.Dining out a risky recipe? Food safety scares leave a sour taste in Hyderabad. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/dining-out-a-risky-recipe-food-safety-scares-leave-a-sour-taste-in-hyderabad/articleshow/110264554.cms. 2. Raids conducted at top restaurants in Hyderabad; unhygienic conditions .... https://www.siasat.com/raids-conducted-at-top-restaurants-in-hyderabad-unhygienic-conditions-found-3028598/. 3. Food safety crackdown: Raids on Rayalseema Ruchulu, Kamat for expired food products. https://newsmeter.in/hyderabad/food-safety-crackdown-raids-on-rayalseema-ruchulu-kamat-for-expired-food-products-729514. 4.Blatant food safety violations found at top eateries in Hyderabad. https://www.greatandhra.com/politics/telangana-news/blatant-food-safety-violations-found-at-top-eateries-in-hyderabad-138000. 5. Hyderabad: Food safety officers raid top restaurants, find unhygienic .... https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/hyderabad/hyderabad-food-safety-officers-raid-top-restaurants-find-unhygienic-conditions-879481. 6.Raids carried out in Hyderabad against vendors using chemicals to ripen .... https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/raids-carried-out-against-vendors-using-chemicals-to-ripen-mangoes/article67972904.ece. 7. Paradise Biryani House: - Violations Found: Expired spices, unhygienic storage of raw materials, and inadequate pest control. - Date of Inspection: May 20, 2024.

1. Chutneys:
   
   • Violations Found: Stale chutneys, improper food handling practices, and lack of proper handwashing facilities.
   • Date of Inspection: May 19, 2024.
2. Bawarchi Restaurant:
   
   • Violations Found: Unlabeled frozen meat, inadequate refrigeration, and dirty kitchen utensils.
   • Date of Inspection: May 18, 2024.

Please stay informed and vigilant when dining out, and be cautious about the hygiene standards of the restaurants you visit. It's essential to prioritize your health and safety! 🍽️🚫🤢

As the name suggests there should be some minor changes to agriculture to make it better.

1. Tree farms. There's an eternal shortage of lumber but there's no arborculture to grow more trees, please let us grow tree plantations.
   
2. More agricultural land over time. I should be able to create more agricultural land using irrigation projects like dams and using all that fertiliser. Obviously there's a limit and diminishing returns but projects like the Hoover Dam made huge areas of previously barren land into arable land.
   
3. Please give us spices, they were still hugely important in this era.
   
4. Seasonal yields, it would be interesting to have an El Nino/La Nina mechanism that affects yields along with an annual event that changes the productivity of your farms and plantations.
   
5. More meat demand, as pops get richer they should demand more meat, as it stands I spend the early game with no-one working in my ranches, then with them only being raised for fertiliser before finally using them for groceries, my pops never actually want the meat because they skip straight from grain to groceries unless I subsidise the ranches.
   
6. Pisciculture/Aquaculture. The farming of fish has existed for centuries, so where is it? Salmon fishing began in Europe in the 1700s and for the last 2,000 years a lot of rice growing countries raised fish in their rice paddies. Also, where's my river and lake fishing? The Great Lakes of Africa and Great Lakes of North America have historically had huge fishing industries, as did the Nile and Mekong
   

Girlfriend and I moved into a house together. Got a dog in the winter time. Fenced in backyard. Found out the spot where he usually poops has a wide diversity of plants, probably used to have some decent landscaping there at some point. The plants I'm most concerned about is lily of the valley. Found maybe a dozen of them growing there. He hasn't touched them yet, but I do know that plant is highly toxic to dogs and humans if ingested. Also creates sweet poisonous berries in fall time. I'd hate to remove them, because they do spice up the area and were even probably deliberately planted there at some point. But I'm worried. Thoughts? My dog does tend to put a lot of things in his mouth, but has never really been much of a plant eater or even food motivated in general. Will he know that those plants are poisonous?

Girlfriend and I moved into a house together. Got a dog in the winter time. Fenced in backyard. Found out the spot where he usually poops has a wide diversity of plants, probably used to have some decent landscaping there at some point. The plants I'm most concerned about is lily of the valley. Found maybe a dozen of them growing there. He hasn't touched them yet, but I do know that plant is highly toxic to dogs and humans if ingested. Also creates sweet poisonous berries in fall time. I'd hate to remove them, because they do spice up the area and were even probably deliberately planted there at some point. But I'm worried. Thoughts? My dog does tend to put a lot of things in his mouth, but has never really been much of a plant eater or even food motivated in general.

As we have noticed in the comments to the latest Bloodtoil snippet, and confirmed by the subsequent chat discussion, we need to cover the question of substance use (and abuse) in our Tamriel.
I fervently do not want to stumble in the IRL discourse on the issue (mostly because I didn't have much interest, and so have little knowledge, and so don't want to say something I do not mean).
That's why I will tackle it from the angle of the narrative.
The primary issue is that moon-sugar and its derivative, skooma, are THE drugs of the setting, and so carry a ton of contradictory roles in the established lore. Some of them may seem to come into contradiction with each other. As following:
1) Moon-sugar is a pretty significant Khajiit cultural and religious artifact, used not only in the cuisine, but in the spiritual practices. Some characterizations of it really seem to aim to remind of Dune's Spice, with all that 'natives eat it with food from childhood'. Skooma, which is much more potent, and addictive, and thus dangerous, is also sometimes controversially linked to Khajiit practices.
2) One of the narratives around skooma positions it as a Dunmer corruption of Khajiit practices, and so aimed to raise the question of resource exploitation and all that area of colonial critique with various degrees of nuance. The allusions to the whole opium den in China and the British involvement is certainly implied.
3) On the opium den analogy, the theme of addiction on the personal level is certainly touched.
4) Both of the substances being restricted or outright forbidden in certain legal juridictions, they are both a great hook for the criminal plotlines.
5) Kirkbridean lore, including the OOC one had also used the theme of substance use (not only skooma, but joy-snow as well) just to drive harder the impression of the different world. I do not think it was for edginess, but rather to play up the legal and cultural differences, to evoke the feeling of historical novel set in the victorian age, or cyberpunk story, or anthropological essay.
6) Finally, they are consumable items in the games, and so on addition to the descriptions, have actual mechanical effects. How all the effects between different descriptions do not match is a separate interesting question.
So, based on all of that, I propose to lean in the 'spiritual aid' side of the moon-sugar the hardest. Maybe that's a cowardly way out, but I'd say it doesn't cause physical dependency, but may cause psychological one.
I like the Kirkbridean aesthetics of the alien-ness, and I certainly love our idea of cultural cross-pollination, so I would like for moon-sugar to be involved spiritual practices not only of the Khajiit people.
I would say, moon-sugar may have comparatively mild 'ego death' effect, a slight disconnect between the spirit and the body, an out-of-body experience.
Skooma is a tad trickier. The themes of both cultural corruption and criminal connection are both too iconic and important to loose. But my proposal is to lean more in the spiritual aspect as well. I'd say, skooma should be something like 'Fool's Chim', giving all that 'seeing tower from the side' trip, but without any real effect. Usually.
So it is terribly addictive psychologically, especially for the people in hard times looking for the easy way out. For prepared practitioners though, it may be used to jump-start the enlightenment with careful preparation.
And a separate topic is the legal and societal acceptance of both substances. When writing the Potentate Customs snippet, I've somehow already assumed the regulated, but not restricted character of moon-sugar. They may even treat skooma the same way, although with even more careful restrictions.

I am having a problem I have been getting cysts in my underarm It started around middle school, went to doctors some said i need to change my eating habits (which i did and am still following the change), some changes like avoid oily food or like food with a lot of spices, things like that.
I also went on accutane for a while which helped for a bit, but now it’s back again…
I even tried wearing loose clothes not fitted so it’s not tight, changed how i shave, different deodorant, always cleaning the area frequently…
I genuinely have no idea what more i can do…any advice?

Redditors on the PCT Week 11 (20 MAY 2024)
Welcome to the next instalment of our PCT updates. I appreciate everyone's patience as I try to figure out these issues with my post content disappearing. I'm not super familiar with Reddit, so it's been a challenge!
Hopefully I can figure it out for the rest of the season.
Very exciting, as of this upcoming week all of our NOBO thru hikers will have started on trail! Our earlier hikers are currently in the Sierra's so now we have hikers spread all across SoCal.

Hiker	Trail Name	Start Date	Last Location	Update
u/heckexe	Ninety Four	Mar 05 (NOBO)	Somewhere in SoCal	No new update
u/laurelindorenan_	Cheetah	Mar 07 (NOBO)	Wrightwood	05/20: Leaning into hiking solo, getting used to prioritizing their own hike. Hiking early mornings to avoid the heat. Hit 500 miles and did the aquaduct. Ready to move on from the desert and into the Sierras
u/Killroy108	$tache	Mar 10 (NOBO)	Kennedy Meadows South	05/19: Got a late start from Walker Pass, and made it through the stretch to KMS
u/ Yeah-girl	Troll	Mar 11 (NOBO)	Near Ashland OR	05/18: Made it through the last of the desert in to Kennedy Meadows South. Jumped up trail to Fish Lake in Oregon, heading SOBO. Enjoying the difference from the desert to OR
u/AlmostJuicey	Popsicle	Mar 17 (NOBO)	Baden-Powell	No new update
u/42hikes	Clear	Mar 22 (NOBO)	Hikertown	No new update
u/weathered_sole		Mar 22 (NOBO)	Oregon Coast Trail	05/15: Reached the Sierras and decided to spend some time on the Oregon Coast Trail to wait out the snow
u/Sirmenace	Menace	Mar 23 (NOBO)	Tehachapi	05/19: Lots of poodle dog bush on this stretch. Took a resupply in Lancaster before tackling the aquaduct by night. Headed into Tehachapi to rest before taking a few days off trail to celebrate a grandson's birthday
u/alyishiking	Shade	Mar 28 (NOBO)	Tehachapi	05/18: Hit the 500 mile mark, reflecting on the diversity of scenery and the wet season this year. Caught the first glimpse of the Sierra's in the distance. Walked through wind farms and the blooming desert through to Tehachapi for a zero
u/HolySchimmel		Mar 30 (NOBO)	Somewhere in SoCal	No new update
u/Remarkable_Edge_1399	Old Money	Mar 31 (NOBO)	Mile 550	05/19: Nearing the Sierras and the end of the desert
u/snoootboop	Spicy	Apr 3 (NOBO)	Somewhere in SoCal	No new update
u/Afraid-Arrival6183		Apr 4 (NOBO)	Acton	05/15: Headed into the hot section on the way to the Sierras
u/MANabroad	Jolly Roger	Apr 4 (NOBO)	Tehachapi	05/16: Hiked the aquaduct, and up out of the Mojave. Enjoying the blooms on the way to Tehachapi
u/Laigor		Apr 5 (NOBO)	Somewhere in the Sierras	05/19: Making long days, with occasional trail magic
u/abcdee1234	Brick & Paw Patrol	Apr 6 (NOBO)	Walker Pass	05/16: Pushed long days with long dry stretches to Walker Pass to meet up with family. Taking a few days off trail to rest and plan for the Sierras
u/kzinser	Jenga	Apr 7 (NOBO)	Baden-Powell	No new update
u/unclespinny		Apr 8 (NOBO)	Tehachapi	05/19: Made it through the aquaduct and wind farms to rest in Tehachapi, gearing up for the stretch to Walker Pass
u/mrkby		Apr 8 (NOBO)	Baden-Powell	05/18: Completed the stretch from Big Bear to Baden-Powell. Highlights of hot springs and McDonalds, lowlight of a middle of the night bear situation
u/Jilliocalypse		Apr 9 (NOBO)	Big Bear Lake	No new update
u/AffectPopular5460	French toast	Apr 10 (NOBO)	Kennedy Meadows South	05/15: Completed the desert and made it to KMS. Resting for a few days to prepare for the Sierras
u/frozenthoughts	Frozen	Apr 12 (NOBO)	Tehachapi	05/15: Resupplied in Tehachapi, gearing up for the stretch to Kennedy Meadows
u/pizzahippie		Apr 15 (NOBO)	Cajon Pass	No new update
u/frostfinger	Frostbite	Apr 15 (NOBO)	Mile 400	05/19: Posted some nice pics, no commentary
u/Extreme_Local_9504		Apr 17 (NOBO)	Acton KOA	05/14: Hit 400 miles on trail, and got trail magic. Worked down to the valley floor, and headed into Acton for resupply and town food
u/smoderman		Apr 17 (NOBO)	Big Bear Lake	05/14: Summited San Jacinto and tackled Mission Creek. Managed to avoid noro and completed 10% on the PCT
u/Hall371		Apr 17 (NOBO)	Off-trail	05/11: Injury update - doctors found it wasn't an MCL tear, but a mild sprain. Outlook is good, going to do some PT and return to trail
u/Content-Appearance81		Apr 17 (NOBO)	Tehachapi	05/17: Stopped in at Agua Dulce for an all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet. Had some mice eat a hole in the tent at night. Had some hot days with no shade, especially through the wind farms. Took a nero in Tehachapi for some town food, resupply, and tent repair
u/Ardorgal	Aloha	Apr 19 (NOBO)	Idyllwild	05/17: Made it to Paradise Valley Cafe and in to Idyllwild. Met the mayor!
u/the_hobblin_goblin	Lamb Chop	Apr 20 (NOBO)	Past Wrightwood	05/19: Got a cool hat for hiking, and gained a trail name. Looking forward to getting out of the heat when the desert it done
u/BambiWalking	Bambi	Apr 21 (NOBO)	Agua Dulce	05/17: Made it into Wrightwood for some rest, and head up the alternate for Baden-Powell. Passing through burn areas and past old missile silos. Headed past Vasquez Rocks into Agua Dulce, eating Mexican food and singing karaoke
u/bumps- and u/ieremv	Poppins and Chimney Boy	Apr 22 (NOBO)	Big Bear Lake	05/17: Descended from San Jacinto, skipped from Banning to Big Bear to avoid Mission Creek and the noro outbreak
u/Typical-Bike718	Twinkie	Apr 22 (SOBO Section)		No update yet
u/velocd	Wind	Apr 22 (NOBO)	Agua Dulce	05/18: Went through Mission Creek and into Big Bear. Spend a half day at the hot springs, then took a zero at Cajon Pass. Had the longest water carry yet into Wrightwood to pick up a new pack. Summited Baden-Powell and continued on to Acton before hiking on to Agua Dulce, with a big bubble there
u/BackpackingReddit		Apr 23 (NOBO)	Wrightwood	05/20: Took a zero in Big Bear, and enjoyed the pine forests afterward. Enjoyed a big meal at McDonalds, and continued on to Wrightwood for a zero
u/Tommy-Blaze		Apr 24 (NOBO)	Lake Morena	No new update
u/Foodandhikes		Apr 28 (NOBO)	Mile 100	No new update
u/Beardedmaple		Apr 29 (NOBO)	Big Bear	05/17: Had a challenging stretch through Mission Creek to make it up to Big Bear
u/fandorf		Apr 29 (NOBO)		No update yet
u/Mckinno17		Apr 30 (NOBO)	Cajon Pass	05/20: Saw some good views, and stopped at the Cajon Pass McDonalds
u/elmcclu719		May 1 (NOBO)	Off trail	05/20: Pushed through too fast out the gate, headed home to recover
u/Malzel123	Spice Girl	May 3 (NOBO)	Terminus	No new update
u/4sleepwalker	Sleepwalker	May 4 (NOBO)	Deep Creek	05/20: Enjoying the views and debating the merits of keeping the beard
u/Joadsturtle	Rooster	May 7 (NOBO)	Idyllwild	05/19: Enjoyed Eagle Rock, and headed through till Idyllwild. Summited San Jacinto
u/Lord_Me		May 10 (NOBO)	Eagle Rock	05/16: Having smooth ride so far, highlights being Eagle Rock, and a rattler
u/SluttyPhotons		May 11 (NOBO)	Fuller Ridge	05/20: Crossed a snowy Fuller Ridge
u/Sea-Grass8602		May 12 (NOBO)	Julian	05/17: Missed the flight to San Diego, but still managed to get to trail on time. Camped at CLEEF, and headed off with hikers from all over the world. Enjoying all the desert wildlife, and a rest in Julian
u/SUGEN1		May 19 (NOBO)		No update yet
u/tokyoproperties		May 23 (NOBO)		Not on trail yet​

WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 6 WEEK 7 WEEK 8 WEEK 10

I‘m really wondering whether there are mechanics to „spice up“ the scenery we get to see this season. In Episode 1, we have only seen them travel to (the metro area of) state capitals.
As Sam, Ben and Adam have discussed on the podcast, the vast nothingness that is most of Australia poses a huge game design challenge. But still, it‘d kind of be a shame not to use any of that iconic outback and have teams fly between Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Cairns and Hobart, right?
In my view, there are two ways to solve this: You either move the challenge board around on every new day (maybe even randomly?), or you give high multipliers for challenges that involve travel to remote locations.
I did notice the challenge board at the outset of the game showing Alice Springs in the NT as a potential travel destination, which - on account of its distance from Darwin - really only makes sense if there‘s anything to do there (or to deposit cash).

The basic starting point is that dietary antioxidants affect transcription of thousands of genes is gastrointestinal tracts which has systematic affects. Mental illnesses and neurological illnesses that have been characterized as polygenetic illnesses are in fact mostly due to changes of transcriptions of thousands of genes in gastrointestinal tracts due to dietary antioxidants which have systematic affects. Dietary antioxidants also dysregulate systematic oxidant defenses. Systematic oxidant defenses are triggered by reactive oxidant species in gastrointestinal tracts. There has been no assistances from genetics whatsoever in regards mental illnesses and/or neurological illnesses characterized as polygenetic and there is not ever going to be any.
Dietary antioxidants can lead to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism. Dietary antioxidants can also lead to Parkinsons disease and Alzheimer's disease. Dietary antioxidants result in systematic oxidant stresses that are present in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder. autism, Parkinsons disease and/or Alzheimer's disease.
Avoidance of dietary antioxidants except around RDA amounts of antioxidant vitamins is key to treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism Parkinsons disease and/or Alzheimer's disease. An appropriate ketogenic diet which can not be vegetarian limits dietary antioxidants. An appropriate ketogenic supplies a range of fatty acids. See this ~post~ on an appropriate ketogenic diet
Foods and/or drinks with natural flavors should not be ingested. Tea and/or sodas are absolutely contradicted. Spices should not be ingested. Fruits and/or nuts have high levels of polyphenols and should not be ingested. Stopping weight gain is much more straightforward where carbohydrates are limited.
Reactive oxidant species in gastrointestinal tracts can be increased in gastrointestinal tracts through coffee drunk and iron from iron sulfate and lycopene supplemented on basically empty stomachs. Lycopene is supplemented only three times a day though coffee could be drunk and iron from iron sulfate and vitamin K2 MK_7 could be supplemented more than three times a day on basically empty stomachs. Vitamin K2 MK-7 has to be supplemented where coffee is drunk and iron from iron sulfate is supplemented on basically empty stomach. Vitamin K2 MK-7 reduces side-effects of caffeine due to effects of caffeine on calcium. See this ~post~ on increasing reactive species in gastrointestinal tracts.
Highly concentrated dietary antioxidants are not natural. 10,000 years ago individuals basically drank only water while babies drank milk. Tea, coffee, sodas and zillions of drinks with natural flavors were not drunk. Natural flavors are powerful antioxidants. There was cooking 10,000 years but not cuisine cooking where foods are made tasty through spices which are powerful antioxidants.
1 milligram of risperidone could be of assistances in treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder Parkinsons disease and/or Alzheimers disease. Risperidone in a reduced dosage could be of assistances in treatments of autism. For adults more than 1 milligram of risperidone is worse and less than 1 milligram of risperidone is worse. Risperidone treats strange days. See this ~post~ on risperidone.
Chronic fatigue syndrome/long-haul COVID-19 are due to downregulation of ACE2 which affects transport of various amino acids. Chronic fatigue syndrome/long-haul COVID-19 is treated with medications that upregulate ACE2. Chronic fatigue syndrome/long-haul COVID-19 can be treated quickly. See this ~post~ on chronic fatigue syndrome/long-haul COVID-19.
Seasonal affective disorder is due dysregulation of calcium homeostases due to changes in received sunlight. Seasonal affective disorder can be treated where a mainstay of treatment is vitamin K2 MK-7 which enhances calcium homeostases. Seasonal affective disorder is very poorly named. Seasonal affective disorder is a major mental illness which is much worse than feeling the blues with changes of seasons Seasonal affective disorder can be quickly addressed. See this ~post~ on seasonal affective disorder.
There is a major complication. Biotin dependent enzymes can become dysregulated due to carbonated drinks and/or biotin supplements which dysregulate bicarbonate which buffers pH. Biotin even in RDA amounts should not ever be supplemented and I underline ever. Carbonated drinks should not ever be drunk.
Biotin dependent enzymes basically do not correct only upon cessation of drinking carbonated drinks and/or stopping biotin supplements. Basically alpha ketoglutarate metabolism is dysregulated by dysregulation of pyruvate carboxylase while synthesis of acetyl-coenzyme A in branched amino acid degradation pathways is dysregulated by dysregulation of methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase. Alpha ketoglutarate in required for enzymes that demethylate DNA and/or demethylate histones. Acetyl-coenzyme A is used to acetylate histones. Biotin enzymes are dysregulated by biotin supplementation where enzymes can downregulate. Appropriate supplements can correct activities of biotin dependent genes and enzymes which takes some time particularly for back pains and/or neck pains. See this ~post~ on depression.
A point that has to be underlined is that individuals can have various mental illnesses and/or neurological illnesses. Treating chronic fatigue syndrome/long haul Covid-19, seasonal affective disorder and/or depression could, for example, be required where there is about any mental illness and/or neurological illness that has been characterized as polygenetic.
Numbers of gays has been increasing over the last 100 years due to increasing levels of dietary antioxidants, for example, from all sorts of soft drinks. Due to effects of dietary antioxidants gays are going to have difficulties frequently major though there are no prejudices. Being gay can be treated with an appropriate diet and appropriate supplements. See this ~post~.
In regards to long term health there are a couple of things I want to stress again. Do not ever take supplements than contains biotin even in RDA amounts and do not ever drink carbonated drinks.

Hi hi! I'm Yu Jin! I'm a 30 year old transman (he/him) from EST USA. I'm looking for my player two! I'm Grey-Ace and seeking another queer he/him to have a wholesome gay relationship with. <: I'm currently in a lull in my life rn (getting my mental and physical health together before I go back to working). Please note- I am a very soft guy/non-masc and I know that's not everyone's cup of tea! I don't really "pass" but I am still legally and socially male! C: I'm chonky and have numerous piercings and even gauges. I love gaming (playing Stardew Valley again!,) Youtube, drawing/ocs, plushies, cute things/fashion, true crime/forensic shows, psychology, cats, FlightRising and a little bit of crafts. I'm not into politics, religion, deep/philosophical talks(sometimes is okay but not all the time-I have one brain cell and he's already trying really hard lol xD), Harry Potter, and offensive humor. I'm open to long distance but I'm in the Tri-State area in case distance is important to you. ^^ Sorry for the rambling post- ADHD brain go burrrr. >_<
Looking For: I'm looking for a healthy monogamous long-term romantic relationship where we can both be supportive and grow while also just being silly and enjoy life! I want someone I connect with and we have the same energy and vibes. Someone who knows how to communicate and express themselves. ^-^ I love being affectionate, pet-names, and physical touch. I'm sex averse (in general)-neutral(with a partner)/romance positive/aego. Not looking for a relationship with aromantic/ sex-repulsed or touch averse peeps. ^^; Sorry if that comes off as mean! I just think we'd be too different in what we want in a relationship and I don't want to cause anyone any discomfort! Looking for a relationship that is very romantic with a little spice xD. I'm a very sensual person/desire sensual dynamics in a relationship. I'm super open to kinks too! I also value consistent contact if we're in a relationship! I am looking for a life partner type of deal. Where eventually we can settle down, go grocery shopping together, make dinner together and play video games on the couch while cuddling. I am not rushing this though. That is just my end goal! ^^
Deal-Breakers: These might be deal breakers for you or me. I am chonky af (working on it). Currently not working but this is temporary and can't drive. I'm atheist. Very pro-choice. I won't date anyone who does recreational drugs/is involved in that lifestyle nor anyone who heavily drinks. I am not into poly, ENM, short-term relationships or hook ups. I am still a work in progress in many aspects of my life but the most important is that I have BPD. I have worked a lot on it and I have improved greatly and am ready to have healthy and stable relationships. But this is why it's important to me that someone is good at communicating and can express their emotions. I need a partner who understands what consistent and open communication is. (I have anxious attachment so if you're avoidant in any way- we probably won't make it lol. ). I'm not perfect and am still working on these things myself- so someone who is also growing/healing is great too! c: My memory isn't that great anymore so I often forget things. Oh! Also! About children- I would be okay with remaining child-free or adopting/fostering older children with a partner if it felt right. It would really depend on my partner and what kind of household we create and what feels right for us as a couple. ^-^ Not currently able/willing to relocate.

Hi all, I experienced 2 anaphylaxis in the last month. I am allergic for sesame, nuts and peanuts. I have had anaphylaxis in the past (7+ years ago), where I actually had issues with breathing but where clemastine was enough to stop the entire reaction. This time the reactions were different from what I am used to. I am wondering if someone else experienced the same thing? Advice is welcome :)
The first one last month happened after eating lunch (the kitchen staff probably added hummus to my food). I ate the entire sandwich despite my gums feeling 'funny' because I thought that it was caused by the spices. It was a very fased allergic reaction. First it was just the gums and my gag reflex feeling swollen, I took loratadine. The symptoms left, then came the worst stomach ache I ever experienced, I took clemastine. I waited for the pills to start working. After that symptom left, 3 hours since the initial bite, I suddenly started breaking out in rashes over my entire body. My colleague drove me to the ER where I got adrenaline. (I carry an Epipen, I didn't use it because I thought that it wasn't anaphylaxis) The adrenaline made me feel super shaky. After an hour the rashes came back and I got prednisolone. I stayed in the hospital for 5 hours
The second one, last week. Again, they put hummus in my food (after explicitly notifying them of my allergies and the severity). I took 1 fingerlick and 1 bite, to test it. I started feeling the same feeling in my gums, then a feeling back in my throat. I immediately took both clemastine and loratadine. My throat wasn't swollen and I could breathe just fine. Then my heart started racing and my stomach starter hurting. I waited an hour. I checked my skin and saw small rashes coming up. I called my GP, I was a 2 hour drive away from home, they told me to find a doctor in the area. I called about 3. I was all alone and knew I probably should just administer the Epipen and call 112, but I was scared to administer it. I walked to a random Doctor's office. They checked my vitals beforehand, a blood pressure of 130/?. They gave me 0.5mg of adrenaline. My blood pressure dropped to 75/45. I almost passed out. They called an ambulance for me, scared that I was about to go into shock. I got the other 0.5mg of adrenaline. The ambulance arrived, vitals checked out besides heart palpitations. My blood sugar was 9.5, I hadn't eaten since morning and most of the time I experience a blood sugar of 5.7 or lower. I was shaking super badly from the adrenaline and had issues with thinking and answering questions. The rashes and itchiness disappeared after getting the adrenaline. I waited 2.5 hours in the hospital, the stomach ache and heart palpitations/fast heart rate were still persisting. When the rashes started returning, they gave me the same 50mg prednisolone shot as I got at the other hospital. After another hour I was allowed to leave.
I already got a referral from my GP for an Allergist, but the waiting list in 70 days. I feel like I could've handled both situations better. Has anyone else experienced a dropping blood pressure after taking adrenaline? Does anyone else have a feeling that their medication doesn't work? Clemastine/tavegyll has worked in the past for more severe reactions, but hasn't done anything for two times in a row. To be honest, I am even more scared to use my Epipen now, especially when I am alone. I wouldn't know what to do if my bp drops whilst alone.

I am 40 and have been buying almost exclusively Old Spice antiperspirant/deodorant since I was 15. Over the last few months, I have noticed they seemed to have changed the formulation or recipe of most if not all and for the worse.
Some have zero smell and others have an almost pre baked BO odor. It isn't what it used to be and when you start to sweat, it doesn't seem to perform the way it used to. I live in the Louisville Kentucky area. I have tried this experiment at multiple stores at multiple price points on multiple days. The results are the same. We hear about shrinkflation. Is this something anyone else has noticed with other products and does anyone have any insight as to why it would be happening?

Please, feel free to add any events below! Check out the Visitor's Guide for more things to do around town!
Looking to meet up with people? Check out Meetup St. Louis.
Be sure to continue scrolling past the Weekly Events for Trivia Nights, Live Music, Sporting Events, Local Comedy, and more!
​

• Cardinals HOF Presents: Flashback Fridays
  • May 24, 2024
  • Visit the Cardinals Museum for a candid interview in our Sportsman's Park Theater with former Cardinals Pitcher Kevin Siegrist on Friday, May 24th at 4:30pm.
• Cardinals HOF Presents: Saturday Signings
  • May 25, 2024
  • Saturday, May 25th is Saturday Signings with former Cardinals Pitcher Kevin Siegrist from 2-4pm in the Cardinals Museum!
• Chess at the Brewery
  • Every Wednesday
  • Local meetup group of chess players that meet at breweries on Wednesday nights. They rotate locations each week.
  • See their Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chessatthebrewery/) for the location this week.
• Explore STL Fest at Ballpark Village
  • May 22, 2024
  • Taking over Together Credit Union Plaza at Ballpark Village, Explore STL Fest will feature appearances and giveaways by beloved local attractions, entertainment venues, restaurants and hotels.
  • Local media will broadcast live from the event, helping to spread the word about everything that makes St. Louis such a special destination.
  • Festivities begin at 10 a.m.
• Family Night with Fredbird
  • Wednesdays
  • Join others at Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar for Family Night with Fredbird on select Wednesday evenings this off-season! Bring your family down for games, prizes, and meet Fredbird from 6:30-7:30pm.
• Karaoke Wednesdays at HandleBar
  • Every Wednesday
  • Browse the catalog and find your favorite songs to sing! Songbookslive.com/stlredcarpet
• Karaoke Wednesdays at Mack's Bar & Grill
  • Every Wednesday
• Landmarks Downtown Walking Tours
  • Every Saturday
  • Landmarks Downtown St. Louis Walking Tours: History, Culture, Architecture, and Exercise: What could be better on a Saturday morning.
• Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection at St. Louis Art Museum
  • February 23 - July 14, 2024
  • Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection celebrates a transformative gift of outstanding works by Native American artists active across the 20th century. The promised gift of 100 works establishes a critical junction between the Saint Louis Art Museum’s deep collection of pre-1920 Indigenous art and a growing emphasis on the contemporary.
• Open Mic Night at Schlafly Bottleworks (Maplewood)
  • Every Wednesday
  • Join others every Wednesday evening and showcase your talents with our Open Mic Night! Open sign up begins at 6:30PM with music starting at 7:00PM. They welcome original material, covers and spoken word! Grab a beer, then play and listen every Wednesday! There are no cover charges and no drink minimums to attend.
• Soulard Farmer's Market
  • Wednesdays - Saturdays
  • Soulard Farmers Market is located at 730 Carroll Street in St. Louis, Missouri, a half mile north of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The market is open Wednesday through Saturday, year round. They feature locally grown and shipped in goods, including: produce, meats, cheeses, spices, gourmet kettle corn, flowers, baked goods, and general merchandise. There are also several different eateries that have many food options, which allows customers the convenience to grab a quick bite to eat and a drink while shopping.
• St. Louis African Arts Festival
  • May 25 - 27, 2024
  • The St. Louis African Arts Festival aims to increase awareness of the global contributions that African people and people of African descent have made through artistic, cultural and educational programs. In its 33rd year, the festival will be held at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park from May 25 to 27.
  • The multi-day event draws locals and visitors together to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of African and African American people. Attendees can enjoy the African marketplace with arts and crafts, clothing and jewelry, alongside cultural demonstrations, traditional foods and African films.
• St. Louis CITY Block Party
  • May 25, 2024
  • Before the St. Louis CITY SC match kickoff, get the party started early with live music, food and drinks on Lou Fusz Plaza! CITY SC presents the free CITY Block Party featuring live performances from Juliet Ivy, Hazmat and Lexodus, as well as local food and beverage vendors, fan giveaways, and games and activities for all ages.
  • The block party is free and open to the public. If you don’t have tickets to the match, stay to catch CITY take on Seattle Sounders on the big screen at the free Watch Party on the plaza (7:30 pm kickoff).
• St. Louis CITY SC Street Party at Schlafly Tap Room
  • May 25, 2024
  • In celebration of ALL home soccer games, Schlafly will close down "Louligan Street" and support our team the only way they know how: great food, drinks, and fun. There are beer tents, food trucks, special (game day and late night) menus, and more. Get here early and park!
• Sunday Bingo at Tim's Chrome Bar
  • Every Sunday
  • Get in the mood for some fun with an afternoon of BINGO at Tim’s. They'll supply the cards and daubers. Just bring yourself and your BINGO loving friends. Play for some good laughs and a variety prizes. Bar opens at 12 p.m., they'll start BINGO at 3 p.m. Cheers!
• Sunset Rooftop Yoga at Ballpark Village
  • May 23, 2024
  • Unwind on the rooftop of Ballpark Village in St. Louis during a one-hour yoga class led by YogaSix.
  • After the session, nama-stay for exclusive happy hour offers such as $3 domestic beers and $5 select cocktails.
• Thursday Nights at the Museum
  • Every Thursday
  • Kick off your weekend at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park! Each Thursday Night at the Museum will be the most fun, engaging, uplifting, thought-provoking, perspective-shaping night of your week. And there are drinks.
  • Join others starting at 5:30pm for happy hour and pop-up activities, such as brief tours, games, and performances. The main stage comes to life at 6:30pm, light appetizers and drinks are available for purchase until 7:00pm, and the Museum’s exhibits are open until 8:00pm for you to explore!
• Tower Grove Farmer's Market
  • Every Tuesday & Saturday
  • Join others every Saturday of the 2023 Tower Grove Farmers Market Season. They'll have over 100 vendors with local produce, meat, flowers, eggs, honey, prepared foods, art, jewelry, live music, and so much more.
• Vietnam: At War and At Home at Soldiers Memorial
  • Running until May 27, 2024
  • In 'Vietnam: At War and At Home' at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, the story of the war’s origins, execution, conclusion and legacy are presented in engaging, accessible and evocative ways. The exhibit presents a diverse and holistic snapshot of the turbulent times in Vietnam, in the U.S. and in the St. Louis region.

​

Sporting Events This Week	Attractions Around the Area	Comedy This Week
St. Louis Cardinals schedule	Anheuser-Busch Brewery	Funny Bone Comedy Club
St. Louis Blues schedule	City Museum	Helium Comedy Club
St. Louis City SC schedule	Gateway Arch	The Improv Shop
St. Louis Battlehawks schedule	Missouri History Museum
St. Louis Billikens schedule	National Blues Museum

​

Trivia Nights
Location	Date/Time	More Information
Anheuser-Busch Biergarten	Tuesdays 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
Bar K	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
City Foundry	Thursdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Crack Fox	Mondays 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm	They host a weekly free tournament and game night. Emphasis on Non Alcoholic refreshments and camaraderie.
Joey B's on the Hill	Mondays 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm	Trivia Details
Nick's Pub	Mondays
Felix's Pizza Pub	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
ITAP (Delmar Loop)	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
ITAP (Soulard)	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Schlafly Brewpubs (Any Location)	Tuesdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Rockwell Beer Co	Tuesdays	Trivia Details (Reservations required)
The Mack	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
The Pat Connolly Tavern	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
The Post	Wednesdays 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm	Trivia Details
Pieces Board Game Bar & Cafe	Wednesdays	Trivia Details
HandleBar	Thursdays at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Steve's Hot Dogs	Tuesdays 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	Trivia Details
Wellspent Brewing	Thursdays at 7:00 pm

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Live Music This Week
Music Venues	Live Music Around Town
Blueberry Hill Duck Room	1860 Saloon
Chesterfield Amphitheater	BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups
Delmar Hall	Broadway Oyster Bar
Enterprise Center	City Foundry
The Fabulous Fox Theatre	Gallery Pub
The Factory	Game 6 Honky Tonk
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre	Gaslight Lounge
Off Broadway	The Heavy Anchor
Old Rock House	Jazz St. Louis
The Pageant	Joe's Cafe
Red Flag	The Lot on the Landing
The Sheldon	Tim's Chrome Bar
St. Louis Music Park	McGurk's
St. Louis Symphony Concert Calendar	SoFar St. Louis Secret performances around town
Stifel Theatre	Venice Cafe
	Yaquis on Cherokee

​

Recurring Outdoor Activities
Big Muddy Adventures – STL Riverfront Adventure	Big Muddy Adventures was established in 2002. They are the first professional outfitteguiding company providing access to the wild wonders of the Middle Mississippi and Lower Missouri Rivers.
Gateway Arch Events	There are a variety of things to do along the Mississippi River.
Hidden Valley Ski Resort	Ziplining, scenic chairlift rides, and hiking trails opened during the summer. Skiing, snowboarding during the winter.

​

Hey everyone, I’m looking to purchase a new vacuum. I will be living in a 900 sq ft apartment, all with hardwood floors, and will have roughly 2 area rugs. I have a medium size short hair dog that does shed. I currently use a cheap Black and Decker vacuum daily, which frankly doesn’t do anything.
I’m looking at the Miele C1 Pure Suction, the Miele C1 Cat & Dog Powerline, Numatic Henry Petcare, Numatic Henry xtra HVX-160, and the Sebo K2 Turbo w/ Turbo Head
I’m also interested in the Miele C1 Turbo Cordless - not sure if cordless will provide the power I need?
My budget is to stay around $500, but it’s flexible.
Thanks in advance

Best of Sri Lanka Tour Package, visit Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Kandy, Pinnawala, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala National Park, Galle, Kosgoda and Bentota.
Dambulla is best known for the Golden Temple. Sigiriya literally means "lion's rock" and is of volcanic origin. In Polonnaruwa you can see many temples, ruins and other places of interest. Kandy is located in a valley and in the middle of the center you will find a large lake with a small island in the middle. The city has a number of nice sights. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, is an orphanage nursery. Ella is a lovely town in the heart of Sri Lanka. A place known for its relaxed character and the many spectacular highlights in the area. Yala National Park. Located on a large lake. Yala National park is a beautiful park in southern Sri Lanka, it is one of the best places to spot wildlife. Galle is best known for the well-preserved Dutch fort, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Bentota is a coastal town in Sri Lanka.
Tour itinerary as follow:

• Day 1: Pick up from Airport or Hotel and proceed to Dambulla. Stay overnight Dambulla
• Day 2: Climb the famous Sigiriya Rock and visit the Ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Stay overnight Dambulla
• Day 3: Visit spice city Matale and Kandy. Stay overnight Kandy
• Day 4: Visit the Elephant orphanage in Pinnawala and explore Kandy. Stay overnight Kandy
• Day 5: Visit the Waterfalls at Ramboda, enjoy a cup of tea at the Damro Tea Factory. Take a scenic train journey to Ella. Stay overnight in Ella
• Day 6: Visit the Ella waterfalls, Discover the Yala National Park with a wildlife safari. Stay overnight in Tissamaharama
• Day 7: Explore the South Coast of Sri Lanka, bring a visit to the Dutch Fort in Galle. Visit the Turtle hatchery in Kosgoda and take the boat and start the boat trip on the Madu River.
  More information
  

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Mission Log: Day 0024

Addendum 04

Well. The jig would seem to be up, as the old folks used to say. ​
I started by dimming the north-facing windows, slowly enough to merely catch Kregorim's attention; he responded by turning his head to face them and letting his bushy eyebrows rise a bit, but generally keeping a neutral stance. Then, I animated a glowing white dot appearing on the duskward wall at roughly chest-height to my new visitor, then extending it vertically into a line, then expanding it laterally into a door. Then, I let my avatar open it 'from his side', walk through, and close it again. ​
“I'm called Joachim,” I said, animating the avatar's mouth to match my movements, along with rubbing the back of his head with his left hand. “And I have to say that that spell of yours was... an interesting experience.” ​
Kregorim nodded and offered a stiff bow. “Then we would seem to have been equal partners in the exchange,” he answered, the barest trace of a twinkle in what I could pick up of his eyes; if he had anything like a smirk under that thicket of facial hair, I couldn't detect it. “So, are there any other introductions to be made? Exchanges of oaths or demands for sacrifices, things of that nature?” ​
I chuckled, and pointed at the fabricators behind him. “Introductions, certainly. No sacrifices of baubles or blood, if that was what you expected. But I'd advise you to get some practice in making your own furniture. It'll take a bit of explaining, even if I try to trim it down.” ​
Kregorim nodded, and this time I could definitely hear a chuckle in his voice. “I would be highly disappointed were that not the case, Joachim of the mysterious outpost,” he answered. He gestured at the fabricators. “Would you mind offering a weary old scholar some assistance with these marvelous machines?” ​
I animated the avatar nodding, then waving at the walls. “You may have noticed that the chambers in which your...” the avatar coughed into one hand, then continued, “... Lord Zortemos Egenor Lignignory the Fourth has been settling have those empty frames on the walls of each room?” The avatar pointed off to one side, and a simplified version of the baseline model of the communication-screens appeared a handsbreadth away from his finger. “I can see and hear through them, and they have other functions as well, but this unit specifically includes the fullest expression of the tool.” ​
With that, I 'jumped' the avatar onto the dawnward wall of the utility room, releasing another light coughing sound to let Kregorim know where 'he' had gone. “This way, at least, I won't need to raise my voice so it carries further...” ​

Addendum 05:

Kregorim turned out to be a very quick study. I walked him through designing some new clothes, starting from the base model of a Chinese scholastic robe but incorporating a three layers of lighter fabric in something more akin to a Japanese kimono. Yes, I helped him figure out some more practical forms of undergarments, and the very concept of 'elastic' fascinated him; I left a mental note to explore 'latex' and the organic sources thereof with him at some later point. And, of course, getting to the first pair of suitable 'house slippers' presented no challenge at all. ​
Still, I satisfied his curiosity about the need for five 'magic trunks' in rather short order, and once he got into his own set of 'wondrous finery' he tossed his 'traveling robes and unmentionables' into the 'laundry' trunk. Once he'd gotten the remaining machines programmed for things like a camp-cot and bedding, a chair and writing desk and a samovar of all things, I sort of walked him through the rest of the unit's features. ​
“Quite an array of tankards,” he commented, in the kitchen. “Stocked well enough to entertain guests of a stature from Orks all the way down to Gnomes, unless I'm very much mistaken.” ​
I animated the avatar nodding. “I'll need to explain more about that, but you and the rest of the group aren't my first guests.” ​
He nodded, and turned to face the avatar; his smile was wide enough to re-arrange the forest of his facial hair. “I'll try to keep from disappointing Lord Zee overmuch on the point,” he said, then turned to face the refrigerator. “Another magic trunk?” he asked, examining it without touching it. “Wider than the others... does this one produce foodstuffs?” ​
“Not 'produce' them, as such, but it does serve as a 'cold well', of sorts. The upper section keeps things moderately cool, the lower section keeps them frozen.” ​
That got another look of wonder out of him. “You can maintain ice in there, without magic?” he asked, pulling out the freezer-drawer and confirming it for himself. “What manner of foods are these?” he went on, examining the squared, shrink-wrapped blocks and rounded tubs. ​
“Soups, meats, and vegetables, for the most part. The rounded tubs are sort of an experiment for a dessert.” ​
“I don't suppose you could allow a hungry traveler something a bit more substantial?” ​
“You skipped past the cold box,” I pointed out. “I've been experimenting with various kinds of meats as well as vegetable dishes...” ​
“Soups of some sort...?” he asked, closing the freezer-drawer and opening the refrigerator. He paused, visibly confused, before extracting one of the wrapped and sealed 'meal bowls', turning it to examine it from three different angles, then replacing it to examine another, and then another. Finally, he selected one and turned to face the avatar. “The lid has markings resembling words, but I cannot say with confidence that I comprehend them precisely,” he said. “What is meant by... 'Pasta Salad Experiment Number 8'... if you don't mind?” ​
The avatar pointed. “The silverware you'll probably want is in the second drawer from the end,” I said. “As far as your question is concerned, I have... several different kinds of farms in the spaces below the living quarters up here on the surface, and a rather large library of information from my home that permits me to make approximations of a small but growing number of food.” I added a slight blush to the avatar's cheeks. “I have no capacity to taste or smell things, at least as you or the others might, so I have no idea whether you'll find it appetizing. All I can tell you is that I have a limited stock of various spices in the cabinet just to the right of this box, which is known as a 'refrigerator' in my language. If you feel the need to repay me for my hospitality, you're welcome to help me learn the names for the spices while we talk.” ​

Addendum 06

Kregorim devoured the first salad, admitting between bites that the Lignignory family's exit from the Ducal lands to the south had been somewhat hurried and therefore their dining-experiences had been something of a gamble. “We've managed to trade for many things as we head north,” he commented. He had figured out how to get clean drinking water from the kitchen sink into an Ork-scaled flagon without much prompting, and after swallowing five mouthfuls proceeded to turn his attention to the salad. I explained the basic ingredients and principles of 'pasta', as he considered a segment of neo-rotini on his fork. He ate it, a thoughtful expression on his face, eventually dubbing it 'surprisingly flavorful'. ​
From there, I walked him through an explanation of the 'dish washer' and 'stove' before guiding him through a simple tour of the rest of the house. The bathroom intrigued him, but he expressed even greater fascination with the barbecue on the back patio, especially the 'fuel pellets' I provided in sealed bags from one of the lower shelves. ​
“Why bother with such means, when these other amazing machines can cook food with greater precision?” he asked. ​
“My function, the reason I exist, is to help people recover from disasters,” I answered, when he came back inside from admiring the stonework of the patio handrails. “If they happen to be more comfortable cooking their own food over a fire, I want to help them do so. Hence, the cookfire station out there. It's called a 'barbecue grill' in my language, by the way.” ​
“...'Your language'...” he repeated, returning to the main room and settling down into his chair with a flagon of water in his right hand. “You've also mentioned 'your home' at least once in my hearing. May I ask where you come from?” ​
Hoo, boy. The tough questions... ​
“I'm from a lot further away than you might think, to begin with,” I explained. The avatar pointed south with his right hand, in the general direction of one of the four moons glowing in the sky. “For one thing, I'm from a place with only one moon.” The avatar tapped 'his side' of the wall with the other, and an equatorial-perspective image of Earth showing North and South America along with a portion of Antarctica down at the bottom. “This is a special kind of illusion, showing details of my home from far above its surface,” I explained. ​
Kregorim's eyes widened and he took a long pull from his flagon. “Seas, forests, deserts, mountains, wintry wastelands,” he murmured, attention moving from one detail to the next, until finally he straightened up in his chair. “... None of the lands with which I have knowledge appear here,” he stated. “And I suspect that this globe's other face will reveal similar mysteries.” ​
I animated the avatar shrugging. “Likely.” ​
I considered my next words very carefully. “Since I arrived here, 24 days ago, I have watched the heavens as best I can. From what I have discerned, the local star... or your sun... is measurably different than mine. I haven't been able to pick out any local planets yet, but I can say for certain that if any of the stars in your sky are the ones my people had cataloged, they're too far away for me to positively identify as such.” ​
Kregorim took that in, eyebrows twitching, and drained his flagon dry. He took it away from his mouth with a scowl, directed at the offending drinkware, but reduced its intensity before turning back to address the avatar. “I don't suppose you've managed to produce anything like a good strong ale since you've arrived?” he asked. “Our own supplies of such things are unlikely to be fit for drinking.” ​
I animated the avatar raising an eyebrow and waggling a finger. “I've none available, alas, though I do have some rather promising teas,” I told him. “You'll need to fabricate a teapot, though.” ​
He got up and proceeded to do so. As he did, I continued, “As far as your assessment of whatever ale you've managed to carry with you, I would ask you to ask the servants to pour whatever portion of it they wish to discard into the nearest convenient sink. Hopefully, you'll be able to get the word to them before they reach that stage of unloading.” ​
The avatar flicked the image of Earth away, then tapped 'his side' of the wall four more times. With each one, a new visual-window opened: one displaying the view just outside the foyer, another the main stairwell from the camera on the half-step just above the second-floor landing, the third the first-floor walkway (identifiable as such by the view of Lord Zee bustling in and out of the doorway to 'his' quarters, giving directions to the flow of 'servants') and the final one the view of the ground-floor walkway. ​
Up among the caravan, Thusarrel acted as a kind of traffic-director, guiding groups of servants with gestures and shouts to one wagon after another, in an order that made no particular sense to me. The 'flackaroos' stayed in the center, managed by three ragged-looking folk who seemed to know what they were doing; they also hurried to rake up any droppings as quickly as possible, out of the foot-traffic of the flow of servants carrying as mismatched a collection of luggage, furniture, decor and miscellany as ever came out of an estate sale. Kregorim's wagon remained mostly ignored, though the stair-steps remained down. ​
On the main staircase, Adallinda and Pippa made their way downward, the 'lady' scowling at the lines of servants passing her in both directions and flowing around her too-wide dress as smoothly as possible. Pippa guided her charge to frequent rest stops on the half-landings, sparing a moment here and there to nod back at the silent looks of gratitude from the luggage-bearing people. ​
“You're certain that my greedy brother and cousin have both gone for the chambers adjacent to my father's, Pippa?” Adallida demanded. ​
Her servant nodded once, then offered her hand to help steer the young lady back into the flow of foot-traffic. “Of course, my lady, “ she answered. “They both wish for the honor of being physically closest to your father's chosen quarters, though your other cousin and sister have likely out-raced them..." ​
On the first-floor view, from the camera opposite the service staircase and now pointing toward the lobby, I just caught a glimpse of Bhiocasaid shepherding Zoti into the second 'double unit' on the first floor, Yera and Totra actually holding the somnambulent Zoti while Bhiocasaid held off Nehdud and Haruinn as they protested the two ladies staking their claim ahead of the 'more worthy young lords' of the family. ​
“We're not sharing quarters with you beasts, and that's simply that!” she shouted at them. “If you want your own choice of suitable quarters, you'd better get down to the ground-floor and claim one before Adallinda does!” ​
The boys blinked at her, then looked at each other. Nehdud spun on his heel and raced back to the cliff-face lounge area, shoving his way through the flow of servants. I winced as I watched him making half-hearted goo-goo eyes and kissy-faces at whichever of them had obviously female shapes under their travel-rags. The female servants burdened with effects, even boxes the size of filled shopping bags that couldn't possibly require two people to hold, found themselves getting extra help to disguise both women's use of the item in question as a makeshift shield against his efforts. However slowly he was moving, though, he still made faster progress than Haruinn could possibly manage. ​
Adallinda's voice rang out from below, shrieking in triumph. Through the final view-window, Kregorim and I observed as she managed to slap her hand on the not-glass biometric scanner next to the door to the lower double-unit, Pippa now holding the sweating lady up and maneuvering her through the door, a line of six servants carrying baggage behind them. ​
Nehdud pushed through the line of servants to stand in front of the handrail, slamming his fist on the stone with one hand and snarling. Then he turned to look at Haruinn, noting his near-complete lack of movement, and his rage turned to a grin. He waved at his rival for the remaining double-suite, then resumed his efforts to force his way through the flows of servants. ​
Haruinn clenched his fists, until Midmolk pointed at the 'service stairway' just next to the now-claimed double-unit. “Their position matches something similar on the door below, master,” he pointed out. ​
Haruinn nodded, clanking his way to them at best possible speed, Midmolk following with the tower-shield. The Lignignory male slapped his hand on the palm-scanner; I granted him temporary access, mostly because I wanted to see if he could possibly beat that smarmy Nehdud if he had a clearer path. The young man succeeded in surprising me by gesturing at Midmolk, who handed him the tower-shield. He proceeded to ride it down the two half-flights of stairs like a sled, scraping the heck out of the finish and arriving at the ground-floor before Nehdud made it all the way through the lobby. ​
Haruinn pushed himself to his apparent limit, huffing and red-faced, as he quick-marched with all of that extra metal on his front to reach the palm-scanner and slap his hand on it. ​
Just as Nehdud threw open the door from the ground-floor lobby to see him do it. ​
The knife-burdened man strode into his doorway while Nehdud sank to his knees with a frustrated scream. ​
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