Deco wrap mesh ideas
My Madness Combat Episode Ranking
2024.05.21 12:00 JohnPoopsTV My Madness Combat Episode Ranking
This is my Madness Combat ranking. This is entirely my personal opinion. I have watched this series since around 2004 on Newgrounds, and a huge supporter of Krinkels' work. So I must point out that I do not believe a single episode is bad. I believe all of the episodes are top tier, this is just my ranking of where I think they stand out in terms of quality, length, story, music/sfx etc.. So if you see your favourite episode low down, just remember it's not bad, I just feel that there may be an episode that's better! This is also just the mainline series, so no canon shorts such as An Experiment or Dissenter, and no Dedmos Adventures. Although if I had to rank Dedmos in this list, it'd probably come 4th place, or something. This was a hard ranking, given how amazing each episode is, so having the canon shorts/spin-offs would be more difficult, given how much Krinkels' artstyle and animation has improved since Madness 11. The earlier rankings are going to be the hardest, but I will put nostalgia aside and rank based on quality and other factors.
15. Madness Combat
In last place, kind of predictable, but the first episode. Obviously just because nostalgia aside, every episode that came after it has raised the bar in so many ways. However, we mustn't forget the classic soundtrack, the lack of blood, the first canon entry of Jeb and Hank, a literal cannon - this is where it all started. It knows what it is, it's a classic. It's where Madness began.
14. Madness Redeemer
Again like before, an absolute classic and it's where I believe that Madness Combat in its current form truly began. We've got introductions of the Sheriff, The Clown, Jeb was brought back. This is also where the Tricky Saga started to take shape. Again I do feel that everything that came after it was just better in quality, but there is loads to love about Redeemer.
13. Madness Combat 7.5
May be a bit controversial, but 7.5 ranks lower. I think it's universally agreed that 7.5 is the least interesting .5 episode. It doesn't feel like it contrasts well with the zaniness and horror of Madness 7. In some capacity, I feel that you need to pair the .5's with their mainline counterparts, and this episode, whilst good, is just the opposite of Consternation. The soundtrack is also one of my least favourites. This one just felt a bit like a filler episode. It's still a great entry, especially given the time it came out, but I'd say this is the most 'run of the mill' episode pre-modern Krinkels.
12. Madness Avenger
Avenger is very much a classic. This is where the Improbability Drive was introduced and the main story started to take shape. I think Redeemer is where the violence and John Wick style animation began, but I feel the story truly jumped after Avenger. This was the second episode I ever watched and I still hold it in very high regard. I think this is the episode people think of when someone says 'Madness Combat', if you were skulking around Newgrounds back in the early 00's.
11. Madness Depredation
Depredation was the 3rd episode I ever watched. I remember seeing the thumbnail plastered everyone on flash animation websites. This is where Hank got his iconic look - this episode is just batshit crazy. If someone mentions Madness Combat and you don't think of Avenger or Consternation, then you probably remember the Depredation and onward looks. There's just so much to love here. The hard pounding soundtrack from Cheshyre let's you know that this is hardcore. Removing the nostalgia I'd say it doesn't have a lot to offer in terms of story until the very end, but man when this came out it was one of my favourites and still is, I just believe that the other episodes have a lot more to say.
10. Madness Inundation
When this first came out, it was sort of controversial, if I remember correctly. With Hank dead at the end of Consternation, I saw tons of comments and forum posts, including some from myself... is Hank coming back? Is this the end? No one really predicted that Jeb would get his own episode, and looking back, I love this episode. I wasn't a huge fan back in 2008, and I would have ranked it near the bottom just out of spite for not getting Hank. But this episode, looking at it today, is brilliant. Jeb is such a cool protagonist, being able to fly, use his powers, catch bullets, the iconic sniper rifle opening, API's soundtrack. The Magnum. I could go on, honestly. I think this is one of the highlights of the series, because at the time, we genuinely thought this was the final episode, and Krinkels' posts, or lack thereof, around that time, sort of gave the impression that this would be the case. The episode feels very much centred around doom, and the end of things as we know it, especially during normality restoration. I think this is where subtle hints surrounding the Madness universe (or Nevadean universe... maybe?) started to take shape. Thankfully, it wasn't the end. It was unfortunately, so far, the end of Jeb, which is a damn shame. I hope Krinkels reconsiders down the line, but for now, he joins the Sheriff being the only two characters to die, seemingly forever, and go to "regular Hell".
9. Madness Apotheosis
Apotheosis is the very first episode I watched back in 2004, so naturally I do have some tiny amount of bias. This is where Krinkels found his footing - quite literally. Characters now have two feet, animation is a lot smoother, another iconic bandage look from Hank following Avenger... again, before getting Depredation, similar to Inundation as well, this truly looked like the end.
8. Madness Combat 5.5
This may also be controversial. But I firmly believe 5.5 is actually better than the episode it's structured around. Again, these earlier rankings are hard as I am trying to not see it through nostalgia, but rather quality. I think 5.5 just has so much to say, the iconic opening, mixed with the soundtrack. It fits perfectly with the lore, and actually makes Depredation a much better episode. Again, the issue with Depredation is that the intro is just run of the mill, up until the mid-point and ending, which only serves, at the time, a continuation in the form of Antipathy. 5.5 is where things tied together very nicely. This is also the introduction of Sanford and Deimos who would go on to become much loved characters in the Madness canon. Given how they just seem like random grunts in Depredation (which, at the time, they likely were), Krinkels managed to give them a whole side quest, which ties in very nicely with the main story. It's also the first time where two protagonists are on screen and are actually doing something, which I'll explain later. Other than that, great episode!
7. Madness Antipathy
The sixth Madness episode is also quite the anomaly. What I failed to realise as a kid is that each episode pretty much ends on a somewhat cliffhanger, but a cliffhanger where it could continue, and it also doesn't have to. 2006 was a huge year for animated sequels, with Madness 6, Killing Spree VI and Joe Zombie: Episode 6, ironically, all the 6's. There's a few others to mention, but we'd be here all day. I love Hanks look in this episode, with his exposed jaw after being pummelled to heck by Tricky in episode 5. The stab wound with the smiley face. Just do what comes natural. Have to mention while I love Cheshyre's Trainmadness soundtrack, we also have to give a shoutout to the creepy opening music MADNEWAT, and API's fast, twitchy techno music in the first half. I mention this because Hank seems very twitchy in this episode, and I love it. It's also carried over in 9.5 too, which is nice to see. The gore is great, especially with the axe and P90 at the end, the train, Jeb working a normal job post Depredation... I think this is where Madness truly reached the point of 'crazy' and set the stage for every episode that came after it.
6. Madness Aggregation
Aggregation is the 9th episode in the Madness canon, and was certainly a surprise to see. This is Krinkels' experimental phase, and you can see it throughout the episode. It was the first episode (if I remember correctly) to have two protagonists on screen at the same time (or three, if you count dead/carried Hank). This is where my problems begin, however. You can certainly tell it was the first time, a lot of my issues with this episode center around Sanford or Deimos sort of standing around doing nothing whilst the other is causing mayhem. Apart from that though, it was nice to see them again, especially after watching the .5's years later. On rewatch, I hold it in much higher regard now that we have context for the canon. This is also where Hank is revived and would set up another event in the form of 9.5 later down the line. It is weird to see Hank as a Mag, and it's doubly sad to see that Deimos did not make it, but this episode is baller. The soundtrack as well, definitely fits the opening with our heroes driving and evading enemies. I can't pinpoint it, but the soundtrack definitely feels like a dual protagonist sound. In terms of story, it sticks very well.
5. Madness Combat 6.5
There is so much to love about 6.5. I think it's honestly the best .5 episode pre-Madness 11 era. 2009-2011 was a very experimental phase, but it definitely paid off. I just love how seamlessly 5.5 and 6.5 come together when watched one after the other, or in one big video (props to the folks who put those 'In Real-time' videos together). The wounded Sanford, the train tracks, it certainly gives a lot of context for what is going on, wordlessly. This is where they started to get their iconic looks. Whilst 7.5 didn't really offer anything substantial, 5.5 and 6.5 are truly magnificent episodes that are held in high regard. The reason I ranked 5.5 lower is that it's just to give you an idea of what's happening around Depredation and Antipathy, whereas 6.5 feels like its own episode. The soundtrack is one of my favourites too. The animation was getting more and more fluid, and given that this came out before Madness 10, it's quite amazing how much of the animation style here is carried over into the later episodes.
4. Madness Consternation
Episode 7 is one of my all-time favourites, for sure, and I think this rings true for a lot of people in the community. Even though it's not ranked at number 1, I'd still say it's among my personal favourite episodes. The soundtrack and eerie vibe of the demonic Clown gives the episode a real horror angle that I always scared me in a way, as a kid. There's also things I never noticed back in 2007, that I notice today, such as 'DISSENTER BE DAMNED' written on the walls where the spiked agents are. This is cool nowadays since 9.5 expands on retention and dissenters, so even though it may not have been intended at the time (or if it was, Krinkels was certainly quiet about it), it tells a lot without any words and fits the story very nicely. Again, it's another pick for my "this is the Hank you think about when someone mentions Madness Combat" list. There are so many. But I love Hank's ninja wraps and red goggles. I feel this is when his image improved each episode. Cheshyre's Madness7 soundtrack is close to my all time favourite, and I still blast it in the car to this day. Also, chainsaw Hank is MVP.
3. Madness Expurgation
This might be a little controversial depending on who you ask, but I think Expurgation fits nicely in 3rd place within this ranking. It's one of my favourites and is probably one of the craziest episodes to date. I think the issue I have with this episode is the lack of blood. I think Madness has always been memorable for the amount of gore, blood and ways that the enemies are killed. I don't have an issue with the black blood from the clown minions, but the gore just feels a bit lessened here, in my opinion anyway. That, however, does not stop this from being an all time great. 7 years, 7 months and 7 days, and it was well worth the wait after being teased for so long. This is truly a highpoint in the Madness canon, where things looked vulnerable in-universe. I know things have always looked shaky given how each episode ends, but seeing the Auditor all messed up and trying to make a deal with Hank and Sanford to remove the Clown, it sets up Madness Combat 12 nicely. The audio and SFX is a major improvement and would become a standard in later animations. The soundtrack, 'Expurgation', from our saviour Cheshyre is again one of the best soundtracks. It gives a sense of hopelessness, this is even more apparent when Sanford yells out in frustration when he is cornered by Tricky, but then hope is restored when Hank returns with a new metal arm, and the soundtrack hits even harder. I do feel like the fight at the end could have been a bit more interesting, and a lot could have happened, but then again, Krinkels worked on this thing for 7 years, so I'll give him a pass on that. Also love the way the episode begins with Hank and Sanford climbing down the ladder from MC10, haha. All in all, one of my favourites.
2. Madness Abrogation
I think Madness Combat 10 is easily one of the best episodes. This thing came out in 2011, but it could have come out in 2016 or something and I'd have been none the wiser. The sheer rise in quality is undeniable. Like I said before, my issues with Aggregation stem from a quality perspective, where one or more characters sort of stand around doing nothing whilst another character is off doing something. When rewatching MC9, it becomes more and more apparent and I can't unsee it. MC5.5 and 6.5 was a period of time where Krinkels was able to hash this out and I think this all came together in MC10, for sure. The animation is very expressive and fluid, there's not a single point where the protags are just standing still or doing nothing (except for when Hank is pushed into the wall by the Mag and when he pulls the lever for Sanford, but I'll give this a pass). The episode feels very alive, due in part to the expressiveness, such as Hank and Sanford playing rock paper scissors to determine who dives into The Auditor's construct first. Naturally, it's our boy Hank. And that soundtrack? Come on, it's easily my personal favourite in the whole series. I think where MC9 toned it down to suit a more slow paced episode, MC10 ramps it up where it sounds like alarms are ringing, as if to say "we've go to go, quick!", and the part of the song where a portion of Madness7 is played, followed by a remix of Crazy Clown Song of Death from MC5, truly amazing. Cheshyre did a beastly job here, and as usual, breathed some serious life into this episode. It's by far the episode I come back to the most, there is just so much to love here. Again, you'd have no idea that MC10 and MC11 are 7 years apart. I wish I could say more, and to be honest I would I could say more on ALL the episodes, but we'd be here all day. MC10 is a classic, hands down.
Madness Combat 9.5
This might've been expected, or not expected, I don't know. But MC9.5 is easily the best episode to date. I'll also be ranking both parts as one whole episode. I can't actually tell you which part I prefer the most, as it takes two of my favourite looking Hanks and puts them into the same episode. Following Dedmos and the anticipated release of MC12, I would say that this is Krinkels' magnum opus. In terms of sheer quality, the amazing sound design, and again we cannot forget how much life is pumped into these animations by Cheshyre. I'd say I prefer Part 1's soundtrack over Part 2. I think given how fast MC6 Hank is, I would be inclined to say Part 1's fast paced soundtrack fits that version of Hank the most, but that's just a personal preference.
Anyway, the most noticeable thing off the bat is the sleek, crisp art design. It's rugged, detailed, and is by far Krinkels' best work. It truly feels like a massive overhaul to the design of the characters and world around them. Again, the expressiveness is huge, such as Hank making fun of the ATP Soldat gesturing with his hand, pointing towards the eyes, and this is even more interesting because it's the first time Hank meets them chronologically. It feels very fluid, and everything looks like it has real weight to it. This is also enhanced by the amazing sound design, for a mask that drops onto the floor, or the clicking of the guns. The horror feel from MC7 is truly back here, as well. Part 2 specifically where Tricky just goes into beast mode, it very much caught me off guard. MC9.5 also gives us an interesting look at how 'the other place' works, and how the Madness universe works as a whole. It's implied when you die, you end up in this sort of purgatory hellscape, and it does all of this story telling wordlessly. Ironically, I feel that Part 1 is actually more of a 7.5 than the original 7.5, for the obvious reason that 9.5 starts after Hank is killed in MC7. So many little details in 9.5 make it feel so authentic, such as the very end when Hank is revived, and you can faintly hear gunshots in the background, the moment where Deimos is killed. I have so much more to say but again, we'll be here all day. All in all, this is by far the best MC episode to date in terms of quality, audio, story and the new art style will be one of the driving forces moving forward.
So, that's my personal ranking of Madness Combat episodes. Again, I love every single episode, so if there's a ranking you disagree with, just remember it's my personal opinion and in my head, they are all number 1. Submit your rankings, and let me know your thoughts, and where you'd rank the episodes!
submitted by JohnPoopsTV to madnesscombat [link] [comments]
15. Madness Combat
In last place, kind of predictable, but the first episode. Obviously just because nostalgia aside, every episode that came after it has raised the bar in so many ways. However, we mustn't forget the classic soundtrack, the lack of blood, the first canon entry of Jeb and Hank, a literal cannon - this is where it all started. It knows what it is, it's a classic. It's where Madness began.
14. Madness Redeemer
Again like before, an absolute classic and it's where I believe that Madness Combat in its current form truly began. We've got introductions of the Sheriff, The Clown, Jeb was brought back. This is also where the Tricky Saga started to take shape. Again I do feel that everything that came after it was just better in quality, but there is loads to love about Redeemer.
13. Madness Combat 7.5
May be a bit controversial, but 7.5 ranks lower. I think it's universally agreed that 7.5 is the least interesting .5 episode. It doesn't feel like it contrasts well with the zaniness and horror of Madness 7. In some capacity, I feel that you need to pair the .5's with their mainline counterparts, and this episode, whilst good, is just the opposite of Consternation. The soundtrack is also one of my least favourites. This one just felt a bit like a filler episode. It's still a great entry, especially given the time it came out, but I'd say this is the most 'run of the mill' episode pre-modern Krinkels.
12. Madness Avenger
Avenger is very much a classic. This is where the Improbability Drive was introduced and the main story started to take shape. I think Redeemer is where the violence and John Wick style animation began, but I feel the story truly jumped after Avenger. This was the second episode I ever watched and I still hold it in very high regard. I think this is the episode people think of when someone says 'Madness Combat', if you were skulking around Newgrounds back in the early 00's.
11. Madness Depredation
Depredation was the 3rd episode I ever watched. I remember seeing the thumbnail plastered everyone on flash animation websites. This is where Hank got his iconic look - this episode is just batshit crazy. If someone mentions Madness Combat and you don't think of Avenger or Consternation, then you probably remember the Depredation and onward looks. There's just so much to love here. The hard pounding soundtrack from Cheshyre let's you know that this is hardcore. Removing the nostalgia I'd say it doesn't have a lot to offer in terms of story until the very end, but man when this came out it was one of my favourites and still is, I just believe that the other episodes have a lot more to say.
10. Madness Inundation
When this first came out, it was sort of controversial, if I remember correctly. With Hank dead at the end of Consternation, I saw tons of comments and forum posts, including some from myself... is Hank coming back? Is this the end? No one really predicted that Jeb would get his own episode, and looking back, I love this episode. I wasn't a huge fan back in 2008, and I would have ranked it near the bottom just out of spite for not getting Hank. But this episode, looking at it today, is brilliant. Jeb is such a cool protagonist, being able to fly, use his powers, catch bullets, the iconic sniper rifle opening, API's soundtrack. The Magnum. I could go on, honestly. I think this is one of the highlights of the series, because at the time, we genuinely thought this was the final episode, and Krinkels' posts, or lack thereof, around that time, sort of gave the impression that this would be the case. The episode feels very much centred around doom, and the end of things as we know it, especially during normality restoration. I think this is where subtle hints surrounding the Madness universe (or Nevadean universe... maybe?) started to take shape. Thankfully, it wasn't the end. It was unfortunately, so far, the end of Jeb, which is a damn shame. I hope Krinkels reconsiders down the line, but for now, he joins the Sheriff being the only two characters to die, seemingly forever, and go to "regular Hell".
9. Madness Apotheosis
Apotheosis is the very first episode I watched back in 2004, so naturally I do have some tiny amount of bias. This is where Krinkels found his footing - quite literally. Characters now have two feet, animation is a lot smoother, another iconic bandage look from Hank following Avenger... again, before getting Depredation, similar to Inundation as well, this truly looked like the end.
8. Madness Combat 5.5
This may also be controversial. But I firmly believe 5.5 is actually better than the episode it's structured around. Again, these earlier rankings are hard as I am trying to not see it through nostalgia, but rather quality. I think 5.5 just has so much to say, the iconic opening, mixed with the soundtrack. It fits perfectly with the lore, and actually makes Depredation a much better episode. Again, the issue with Depredation is that the intro is just run of the mill, up until the mid-point and ending, which only serves, at the time, a continuation in the form of Antipathy. 5.5 is where things tied together very nicely. This is also the introduction of Sanford and Deimos who would go on to become much loved characters in the Madness canon. Given how they just seem like random grunts in Depredation (which, at the time, they likely were), Krinkels managed to give them a whole side quest, which ties in very nicely with the main story. It's also the first time where two protagonists are on screen and are actually doing something, which I'll explain later. Other than that, great episode!
7. Madness Antipathy
The sixth Madness episode is also quite the anomaly. What I failed to realise as a kid is that each episode pretty much ends on a somewhat cliffhanger, but a cliffhanger where it could continue, and it also doesn't have to. 2006 was a huge year for animated sequels, with Madness 6, Killing Spree VI and Joe Zombie: Episode 6, ironically, all the 6's. There's a few others to mention, but we'd be here all day. I love Hanks look in this episode, with his exposed jaw after being pummelled to heck by Tricky in episode 5. The stab wound with the smiley face. Just do what comes natural. Have to mention while I love Cheshyre's Trainmadness soundtrack, we also have to give a shoutout to the creepy opening music MADNEWAT, and API's fast, twitchy techno music in the first half. I mention this because Hank seems very twitchy in this episode, and I love it. It's also carried over in 9.5 too, which is nice to see. The gore is great, especially with the axe and P90 at the end, the train, Jeb working a normal job post Depredation... I think this is where Madness truly reached the point of 'crazy' and set the stage for every episode that came after it.
6. Madness Aggregation
Aggregation is the 9th episode in the Madness canon, and was certainly a surprise to see. This is Krinkels' experimental phase, and you can see it throughout the episode. It was the first episode (if I remember correctly) to have two protagonists on screen at the same time (or three, if you count dead/carried Hank). This is where my problems begin, however. You can certainly tell it was the first time, a lot of my issues with this episode center around Sanford or Deimos sort of standing around doing nothing whilst the other is causing mayhem. Apart from that though, it was nice to see them again, especially after watching the .5's years later. On rewatch, I hold it in much higher regard now that we have context for the canon. This is also where Hank is revived and would set up another event in the form of 9.5 later down the line. It is weird to see Hank as a Mag, and it's doubly sad to see that Deimos did not make it, but this episode is baller. The soundtrack as well, definitely fits the opening with our heroes driving and evading enemies. I can't pinpoint it, but the soundtrack definitely feels like a dual protagonist sound. In terms of story, it sticks very well.
5. Madness Combat 6.5
There is so much to love about 6.5. I think it's honestly the best .5 episode pre-Madness 11 era. 2009-2011 was a very experimental phase, but it definitely paid off. I just love how seamlessly 5.5 and 6.5 come together when watched one after the other, or in one big video (props to the folks who put those 'In Real-time' videos together). The wounded Sanford, the train tracks, it certainly gives a lot of context for what is going on, wordlessly. This is where they started to get their iconic looks. Whilst 7.5 didn't really offer anything substantial, 5.5 and 6.5 are truly magnificent episodes that are held in high regard. The reason I ranked 5.5 lower is that it's just to give you an idea of what's happening around Depredation and Antipathy, whereas 6.5 feels like its own episode. The soundtrack is one of my favourites too. The animation was getting more and more fluid, and given that this came out before Madness 10, it's quite amazing how much of the animation style here is carried over into the later episodes.
4. Madness Consternation
Episode 7 is one of my all-time favourites, for sure, and I think this rings true for a lot of people in the community. Even though it's not ranked at number 1, I'd still say it's among my personal favourite episodes. The soundtrack and eerie vibe of the demonic Clown gives the episode a real horror angle that I always scared me in a way, as a kid. There's also things I never noticed back in 2007, that I notice today, such as 'DISSENTER BE DAMNED' written on the walls where the spiked agents are. This is cool nowadays since 9.5 expands on retention and dissenters, so even though it may not have been intended at the time (or if it was, Krinkels was certainly quiet about it), it tells a lot without any words and fits the story very nicely. Again, it's another pick for my "this is the Hank you think about when someone mentions Madness Combat" list. There are so many. But I love Hank's ninja wraps and red goggles. I feel this is when his image improved each episode. Cheshyre's Madness7 soundtrack is close to my all time favourite, and I still blast it in the car to this day. Also, chainsaw Hank is MVP.
3. Madness Expurgation
This might be a little controversial depending on who you ask, but I think Expurgation fits nicely in 3rd place within this ranking. It's one of my favourites and is probably one of the craziest episodes to date. I think the issue I have with this episode is the lack of blood. I think Madness has always been memorable for the amount of gore, blood and ways that the enemies are killed. I don't have an issue with the black blood from the clown minions, but the gore just feels a bit lessened here, in my opinion anyway. That, however, does not stop this from being an all time great. 7 years, 7 months and 7 days, and it was well worth the wait after being teased for so long. This is truly a highpoint in the Madness canon, where things looked vulnerable in-universe. I know things have always looked shaky given how each episode ends, but seeing the Auditor all messed up and trying to make a deal with Hank and Sanford to remove the Clown, it sets up Madness Combat 12 nicely. The audio and SFX is a major improvement and would become a standard in later animations. The soundtrack, 'Expurgation', from our saviour Cheshyre is again one of the best soundtracks. It gives a sense of hopelessness, this is even more apparent when Sanford yells out in frustration when he is cornered by Tricky, but then hope is restored when Hank returns with a new metal arm, and the soundtrack hits even harder. I do feel like the fight at the end could have been a bit more interesting, and a lot could have happened, but then again, Krinkels worked on this thing for 7 years, so I'll give him a pass on that. Also love the way the episode begins with Hank and Sanford climbing down the ladder from MC10, haha. All in all, one of my favourites.
2. Madness Abrogation
I think Madness Combat 10 is easily one of the best episodes. This thing came out in 2011, but it could have come out in 2016 or something and I'd have been none the wiser. The sheer rise in quality is undeniable. Like I said before, my issues with Aggregation stem from a quality perspective, where one or more characters sort of stand around doing nothing whilst another character is off doing something. When rewatching MC9, it becomes more and more apparent and I can't unsee it. MC5.5 and 6.5 was a period of time where Krinkels was able to hash this out and I think this all came together in MC10, for sure. The animation is very expressive and fluid, there's not a single point where the protags are just standing still or doing nothing (except for when Hank is pushed into the wall by the Mag and when he pulls the lever for Sanford, but I'll give this a pass). The episode feels very alive, due in part to the expressiveness, such as Hank and Sanford playing rock paper scissors to determine who dives into The Auditor's construct first. Naturally, it's our boy Hank. And that soundtrack? Come on, it's easily my personal favourite in the whole series. I think where MC9 toned it down to suit a more slow paced episode, MC10 ramps it up where it sounds like alarms are ringing, as if to say "we've go to go, quick!", and the part of the song where a portion of Madness7 is played, followed by a remix of Crazy Clown Song of Death from MC5, truly amazing. Cheshyre did a beastly job here, and as usual, breathed some serious life into this episode. It's by far the episode I come back to the most, there is just so much to love here. Again, you'd have no idea that MC10 and MC11 are 7 years apart. I wish I could say more, and to be honest I would I could say more on ALL the episodes, but we'd be here all day. MC10 is a classic, hands down.
Madness Combat 9.5
This might've been expected, or not expected, I don't know. But MC9.5 is easily the best episode to date. I'll also be ranking both parts as one whole episode. I can't actually tell you which part I prefer the most, as it takes two of my favourite looking Hanks and puts them into the same episode. Following Dedmos and the anticipated release of MC12, I would say that this is Krinkels' magnum opus. In terms of sheer quality, the amazing sound design, and again we cannot forget how much life is pumped into these animations by Cheshyre. I'd say I prefer Part 1's soundtrack over Part 2. I think given how fast MC6 Hank is, I would be inclined to say Part 1's fast paced soundtrack fits that version of Hank the most, but that's just a personal preference.
Anyway, the most noticeable thing off the bat is the sleek, crisp art design. It's rugged, detailed, and is by far Krinkels' best work. It truly feels like a massive overhaul to the design of the characters and world around them. Again, the expressiveness is huge, such as Hank making fun of the ATP Soldat gesturing with his hand, pointing towards the eyes, and this is even more interesting because it's the first time Hank meets them chronologically. It feels very fluid, and everything looks like it has real weight to it. This is also enhanced by the amazing sound design, for a mask that drops onto the floor, or the clicking of the guns. The horror feel from MC7 is truly back here, as well. Part 2 specifically where Tricky just goes into beast mode, it very much caught me off guard. MC9.5 also gives us an interesting look at how 'the other place' works, and how the Madness universe works as a whole. It's implied when you die, you end up in this sort of purgatory hellscape, and it does all of this story telling wordlessly. Ironically, I feel that Part 1 is actually more of a 7.5 than the original 7.5, for the obvious reason that 9.5 starts after Hank is killed in MC7. So many little details in 9.5 make it feel so authentic, such as the very end when Hank is revived, and you can faintly hear gunshots in the background, the moment where Deimos is killed. I have so much more to say but again, we'll be here all day. All in all, this is by far the best MC episode to date in terms of quality, audio, story and the new art style will be one of the driving forces moving forward.
So, that's my personal ranking of Madness Combat episodes. Again, I love every single episode, so if there's a ranking you disagree with, just remember it's my personal opinion and in my head, they are all number 1. Submit your rankings, and let me know your thoughts, and where you'd rank the episodes!
2024.05.21 11:48 deepestfear PSA: Telstra 5G modem vs fixed wireless NBN
Hey all, long time lurker, first time poster. Hope you're all well.
I live in Melb, and have FTTP, and consistently get 950/40. It's not really necessary, but through a few hacks I am getting it for $89 per month via Aussie Broadband, and have done so for nine months now (basically, their $20 off for new customers + $20 off for upgrading speed, and when it ended, I threatened leaving, and they just caved and let me keep it for that speed).
I'm using a Deco mesh setup - their XE75s, three of them, two are hardwired, one wireless. I think because it's an apartment, the wireless one is able to reach the others on the 6Ghz band, and I think that makes a big difference, given the amount of interference on the 5Ghz band (we live in an apartment block). Now Wifi 7 is on the horizon.... exciting times. If only I could get my hands on a cheap set of Deco BE65s or so, just to test them out! But I know many areas aren't approved fully yet - for me, the most important being the tech that improves the range and speed of the 6Ghz band.
Anyway, the point of the post is that at my parent's house, in rural VIC, they only have fixed wireless. No matter which provider I tried - and despite installing a mesh Deco X75 system (5Ghz backhaul, without the 6E) - they would get 50/10, max. Anyway, then I found out about the whole "Telstra 5G modem thing". Basically, it is $80 a month, and if you are eligible, they send you a modem/router that has a 5G chip in it. Because we are fairly close to a Telstra tower, my parents signed up, and with the Deco units in access point mode, they are now getting consistently, including peak periods, 300/30 or so. Sometimes even 400/30 or more. The latency isn't bad, 5ms or so. I just did a speed test now, 555/31, during peak period.
So to anyone in rural areas - consider signing up for this plan, if you can. The only downsides I can see are: a) you are limited to 1000GB data per month (which is a lot, really, and if you go over it, your speed is decreased, you aren't charged more), and b) they limit the number of households per postcode who can sign up - otherwise it would become so slow and hence pointless. $80 a month is reasonable, too, my parents weren't paying much less than that for their fixed wireless plans.
Apparently the NBN people are "upgrading" the fixed wireless near their home late this year, who knows what that means, maybe a tower closer to their home, which may improve the fixed wireless speeds and latency. There are just too many homes, trees, obstacles between their house and the tower, along with the sheer distance (around 6km).
So yeah, it was just as a PSA. If anyone can think of any downsides, please comment, I'm not an IT guru, I'm just impressed that we can get these speeds. The Deco units are doing an excellent job, given only one is hardwired (into the WAN of the Telstra modem/router, they're entirely relying on a wireless backhaul in a five-bedroom, old home, with many walls between the units (about eight walls between the originating node and the furthest node). Connecting to the furthest node gives speeds around 300/25 or so, on average.
submitted by deepestfear to nbn [link] [comments]
I live in Melb, and have FTTP, and consistently get 950/40. It's not really necessary, but through a few hacks I am getting it for $89 per month via Aussie Broadband, and have done so for nine months now (basically, their $20 off for new customers + $20 off for upgrading speed, and when it ended, I threatened leaving, and they just caved and let me keep it for that speed).
I'm using a Deco mesh setup - their XE75s, three of them, two are hardwired, one wireless. I think because it's an apartment, the wireless one is able to reach the others on the 6Ghz band, and I think that makes a big difference, given the amount of interference on the 5Ghz band (we live in an apartment block). Now Wifi 7 is on the horizon.... exciting times. If only I could get my hands on a cheap set of Deco BE65s or so, just to test them out! But I know many areas aren't approved fully yet - for me, the most important being the tech that improves the range and speed of the 6Ghz band.
Anyway, the point of the post is that at my parent's house, in rural VIC, they only have fixed wireless. No matter which provider I tried - and despite installing a mesh Deco X75 system (5Ghz backhaul, without the 6E) - they would get 50/10, max. Anyway, then I found out about the whole "Telstra 5G modem thing". Basically, it is $80 a month, and if you are eligible, they send you a modem/router that has a 5G chip in it. Because we are fairly close to a Telstra tower, my parents signed up, and with the Deco units in access point mode, they are now getting consistently, including peak periods, 300/30 or so. Sometimes even 400/30 or more. The latency isn't bad, 5ms or so. I just did a speed test now, 555/31, during peak period.
So to anyone in rural areas - consider signing up for this plan, if you can. The only downsides I can see are: a) you are limited to 1000GB data per month (which is a lot, really, and if you go over it, your speed is decreased, you aren't charged more), and b) they limit the number of households per postcode who can sign up - otherwise it would become so slow and hence pointless. $80 a month is reasonable, too, my parents weren't paying much less than that for their fixed wireless plans.
Apparently the NBN people are "upgrading" the fixed wireless near their home late this year, who knows what that means, maybe a tower closer to their home, which may improve the fixed wireless speeds and latency. There are just too many homes, trees, obstacles between their house and the tower, along with the sheer distance (around 6km).
So yeah, it was just as a PSA. If anyone can think of any downsides, please comment, I'm not an IT guru, I'm just impressed that we can get these speeds. The Deco units are doing an excellent job, given only one is hardwired (into the WAN of the Telstra modem/router, they're entirely relying on a wireless backhaul in a five-bedroom, old home, with many walls between the units (about eight walls between the originating node and the furthest node). Connecting to the furthest node gives speeds around 300/25 or so, on average.
2024.05.21 11:40 ask_ivan Using my packing cube as a travel daypack (pt. 2)
 | Two months ago, I shared a travel hack I made for my work trips: an airtight compression cube for clothes, that turns into a 15.5L daypack. submitted by ask_ivan to onebag [link] [comments] I didn’t expect nearly 100k views! Many of you gave me ideas for how to make it better, so I did. Here’s a look at the updated version I made: Packing cube mode:
Backpack mode:
Never again. Also, I like to take long walks when it's snowing outside. Pretty useful for keeping my stuff dry! Detachable laptop/iPad sleeve:
Dimensions: 15 x 10.5 x 6 inches (38.5 x 27 x 15.5 cm). Weight: ~0.65kg / 650g I use it for everything now: short hikes, going to the gym, at the beach, to the office. Even when I'm not traveling. Thanks for all the suggestions! https://preview.redd.it/9cva4ntj0r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=5ac31d11e1f928514858eab68947504cd51fc4c1 https://preview.redd.it/f851rlol0r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=fa8465b2701eb4fac5d54d1f6336bf81773fff52 https://preview.redd.it/8v8rn1gn0r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=fe2c7386d221a46fdce4a2671ef4674a3ddc89bd https://preview.redd.it/3rzom87q0r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=2478958485be2fe140c50b38b022d2262f0d4de6 https://preview.redd.it/hikhxtdx0r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=d9ae0eca7d54187aa97347693dcacfd0b19fb0ce https://preview.redd.it/6modkin41r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=26a091ced88a6c7b76d820ee9eb6f1c26d323970 https://preview.redd.it/cojhyf081r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=c47505cf7b6437ea7a6c151a0e4a6dbfd7d9dc45 https://preview.redd.it/83dls9vm1r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=e85d9f9f1218234ab56e84b7cf5442617cb1a96e https://preview.redd.it/cww47num2r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=feafb4c78ec2c44a78024380f87dfa66b13c21fb https://preview.redd.it/aa30seso2r1d1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=0276ca5e95ae64414813e82c8bc1b5e86cf20773 |
2024.05.21 11:24 ask_ivan Using my packing cube as a travel daypack (pt. 2)
 | Two months ago, I shared a travel hack I made for my work trips: an airtight compression cube for clothes, that turns into a 15.5L daypack. submitted by ask_ivan to HerOneBag [link] [comments] I didn’t expect nearly 100k views! Many of you gave me ideas for how to make it better, so I did. Here’s a look at the updated version I made: Packing cube mode:
Backpack mode:
Never again. Also, I like to take long walks when it's snowing outside. Pretty useful for keeping my stuff dry! Detachable laptop/iPad sleeve:
Dimensions: 15 x 10.5 x 6 inches (38.5 x 27 x 15.5 cm). Weight: ~0.65kg / 650g I use it for everything now: short hikes, going to the gym, at the beach, to the office. Even when I'm not traveling. Thanks for all the suggestions! https://preview.redd.it/to0mg50kyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cbc725a9ff14bce66db663260b6bfbfee5a197b7 https://preview.redd.it/bjpz650kyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=83b98ef41f540fb2d1314f5cac6b33aa9a7cbf4f https://preview.redd.it/rw42350kyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3fd902f030d287ad5f7c88b7c93d8d135a2d84b2 https://preview.redd.it/po5x960kyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=82c5314b81125ad6b517f8acc3b3592e9ef8ba1c https://preview.redd.it/vc2be74kyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75f3147f97250932f07ce4ad55936388e7b30434 https://preview.redd.it/75zdd40kyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=695ec12ffacc665bf642b53bef871c4e04353e24 https://preview.redd.it/ucczfa5syq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad28d7636967f3f5e7b5de3a93c97e5b06e3fe5b https://preview.redd.it/vr86qbfwyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3055ec24dda261e01c6fc698bca19b77ed1ef5b1 https://preview.redd.it/stf98bfwyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7134e248d95ad4350c2cf571c6b753bbe2c9dc5c https://preview.redd.it/ljxempyxyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e317d80ef646db9db4dc61c793a6d77d33acc0b https://preview.redd.it/xvdrblyxyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38d40680c1af46b30312708c02edca5006177adb https://preview.redd.it/ytzpvkyxyq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=01613294b2583a1b77bdd094bc55fa659b95f6c2 https://preview.redd.it/oog0bot2zq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a7378e520976ae62dff41767d6b6f6376de39ad https://preview.redd.it/zlwtoot2zq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c697018ac4f3ca4ab5406d7f76169e68c6474c2 https://preview.redd.it/8npdylt2zq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=264cca5d1c043876582de1673077d9f4dd024d55 https://preview.redd.it/ix0o9csqzq1d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b375791389ac3db5accc85d4212d59af4376657a |
2024.05.21 11:12 Dephori Am I too stupid for my degree?
Context: I (19M) study BSc economics, and am in 2nd year. Got 3As at A-level, and barely scraped a 2:1 in first year. Very recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
This year, I’ve been really struggling with motivation, and leaving my room for lectures. I haven’t attended any since November. Sem 1 exams where very simple and 20% only; micro had a seen question exam that covered 0 lectures, macro covered 2 lectures, econometrics was multiple choice, and the other two modules were easy, so I got through fine with 1sts.
Now I have 7 days before my first exam, I’m trying to go through 2 semesters of content for 3 exams, and 2 normal modules, and one 20 credit 1 semester module.
I can’t wrap my head around lots of the micro and macro content, or when I do, I forget it. There’s so much too, and it’s completely overwhelming. I don’t know how to study, it’s hardly studying since I’m learning it for the first time.
Am I just too stupid for it? Do people normally struggle with intermediate macro and micro? Or is it my mental health making me stupid? Is that even possible? I have no friends on my course since I isolated myself so I have no idea what everyone else thinks.
I’m scared if I resit the year when (or if) I’m better mentally, I’ll find myself just unable to do any of the content, and I’ll have wasted another year of my life, not because of my mental health, but because I’m just stupid, adding up to 3 wasted years since I’ve been so miserable these last 2 years.
I’m terrified i’m just too stupid for this. I don’t know what to do.
submitted by Dephori to UniUK [link] [comments]
This year, I’ve been really struggling with motivation, and leaving my room for lectures. I haven’t attended any since November. Sem 1 exams where very simple and 20% only; micro had a seen question exam that covered 0 lectures, macro covered 2 lectures, econometrics was multiple choice, and the other two modules were easy, so I got through fine with 1sts.
Now I have 7 days before my first exam, I’m trying to go through 2 semesters of content for 3 exams, and 2 normal modules, and one 20 credit 1 semester module.
I can’t wrap my head around lots of the micro and macro content, or when I do, I forget it. There’s so much too, and it’s completely overwhelming. I don’t know how to study, it’s hardly studying since I’m learning it for the first time.
Am I just too stupid for it? Do people normally struggle with intermediate macro and micro? Or is it my mental health making me stupid? Is that even possible? I have no friends on my course since I isolated myself so I have no idea what everyone else thinks.
I’m scared if I resit the year when (or if) I’m better mentally, I’ll find myself just unable to do any of the content, and I’ll have wasted another year of my life, not because of my mental health, but because I’m just stupid, adding up to 3 wasted years since I’ve been so miserable these last 2 years.
I’m terrified i’m just too stupid for this. I don’t know what to do.
2024.05.21 11:11 cindrellcus Transform Ideas into Reality with Custom Plastic Injection Molding
 | Custom plastic injection molding turns ideas into real products by creating complex, precise shapes quickly and efficiently. It saves money for large batches, ensures consistency, and reduces waste. This process transforms creative designs into everyday items like toys and gadgets. submitted by cindrellcus to u/cindrellcus [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/ixma9y4jxq1d1.jpg?width=724&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc1d417817e993ea1e3f25974e266c33c620a899 Have you ever thought about how your favorite toys, gadgets, and even everyday items are made? It is all thanks to the process called custom plastic injection molding. These are the amazing techniques that help to turn the ideas into real and usable products. What if drawing a cool design and then seeing it come to life as a toy or a part of a machine or a piece of gadget? With the help of this custom plastic injection molding, anything you can dream of can be made with the help of the precision and quality that makes it possible to bring your ideas to life. Benefits of Custom Plastic Injection Molding 1. Makes Complex Shapes and Designs: The custom plastic injection helps in making detailed and complex shapes that are hard to make in other ways. The molds used in this process are very precise, so every small detail of the design is copied perfectly. This is important for making parts that need to fit together exactly right, like pieces of a puzzle. No matter whether it’s a small toy or a big part of a machine, this molding process can make it, giving us lots of options to create unique and interesting shapes. 2. Works fast and efficiently: Once the molds are ready, custom plastic injection moldings are a very fast way to make many parts quickly. The machines used can produce parts in a short amount of time, which is great for when we need a lot of items fast. This speed is useful for companies that need to keep up with demand and meet tight schedules. The machines also work automatically, which helps in reducing the need for many workers, which helps save time and money. This quick process keeps the production line moving smoothly and efficiently. 3. Saves Money for Large Batches: In addition to this, it can save a lot of money when making large numbers of parts. Even though making the mold can be expensive at first, the cost of each part gets much lower as more parts are made. This is called economy of scale. The more parts you make, the cheaper each one becomes. This process also uses materials efficiently, which helps in minimizing waste and save money. Over time, these savings add up, which makes it a good choice for making lots of the same item. 4. Ensures Consistency and Accuracy: Last but not least, one of the best things about custom plastic injection moldings is that they make each part the same. This consistency is important for products that need to work the same way every time, like car parts or medical devices. The molds are very accurate, so each part is made to the exact specifications. This reduces the need for extra fixes or changes after the parts are made. This accuracy means every part will fit and work perfectly, and meets the high quality standards. Conclusion To wrap it up, Molds for Plastic Injection are great and help to turn creative ideas into real objects. From toys to gadgets, these molds shape plastic into anything we imagine. With the help of these molds, we can bring our dreams to life by making cool and useful things that we use every day. So, next time you see a plastic toy or gadget, remember that it started as an idea transformed by this amazing process! |
2024.05.21 11:07 CringeyVal0451 Maple Walnut Pie
Kadillac Kirk had been a good friend of mine for several years. I had met him through friends from The Spring Stage; and he never had anything to do with The Imp, which is why he didn’t appear in the Married Mary saga. Mary would have totally thrown herself at him, and Kirk would have definitely “thrown it in her.” He loved the ladies and often remarked that there was no such thing as an unappealing woman, nor was there anything sweeter than finding the pearl of passion in an outwardly plain dame. Fortunately for Kirk, he never met Mary. This was probably fortunate for Mary as well, seeing as Kirk was a confirmed bachelor and his rakish nature might have broken her fat heart.
Kirk was an older guy. Not MOE old, though. He was in his early forties, but he easily passed for a carefree dude in his 30s... not that he lied about his age. I only mention this trait to juxtapose Kirk’s genuine youthful air with Moe’s unconvincing youthful farce. Kirk dressed normally, avoided stupid jargon, and never busted out gimmicks like tarot cards or spells. He just existed, behaved affably, and people liked him for it.
He drove a classic 1962 Cadillac El Dorado convertible with red leather interior, and he lived in a charmingly quaint (and ridiculously expensive) neighborhood. How he made his fortune remained a mystery, but he never bloviated about his wealth. He just threw spectacular parties and people showed up. And, to my knowledge, he never tried to lure women into bed with his money (although I’m sure he got his fair share of boom-boom thanks to his digs and his wheels, even if the gold-diggers denied their monetary agendas).
Kirk was legitimately handsome. He was a drummer, he had a full head of black hair, he was clean-shaven, he worked out, and he knew all the hidden gems in Wellsprings. So why hadn’t I tried... or even desired to date him? I don’t know. I just didn’t feel drawn to him like that. He felt like a cool uncle and he had, thus far, never done anything to change my perception. Plus, the age difference weirded me out a little. Kirk didn’t look forty; but knowing that he had so much more life experience than I did created a power imbalance that would have creeped me out if we’d been dating. As buddies, I just felt supremely cool riding in his Cadillac, smoking Fantasia cigarettes, and hitting the speakeasies and jazz clubs I would have never known about if it weren’t for Kirk’s connections.
And he had been a good person to talk to about my romantic woes. He never lecherously suggested that I should date him, and he gave the type of tempered advice that only comes with lived experience. But he often lightly mocked me for my crush on Dennis and he did a hilarious impression of Smegal popping too soon over his “precious.” So when Mary “got me back” by doing whatever she didwith to Dennis, I called Kadillac Kirk and told him the drinks were on me if he’d be my designated driver for the night.
Why hadn’t I called Whisky??? Well, A) Kirk was way more fun to hang out with, at least from my past experiences up to that point. And B) I needed to bitch about a boy, something I couldn’t do in good conscience in front of a guy I was dating. So I put on the sexiest plunging halter dress I owned, applied heavy eye makeup and spikey accessories, braved a pair of stilettos, and sashayed out to Kirk’s convertible. I felt like a badass rock star. I probably looked like a try-hard hooker.
Kirk: Daaaaay-um! Somebody really did do a number on you, huh? I know you said you were upset, but the gents are gonna be writing thank you notes to that fat girl and that butt-fucking hobbit.
Me: I just need to feel pretty and numb. And I trust you to keep me from making a fool of myself.
Kirk squeezed my shoulder. “I’ve got you. You do whatever you need to do to get rid of these demons.”
He sparked up a J and offered me the first puff. I gladly accepted. He took one puff of his own, but said that the rest was mine since he didn’t want to drive stoned. See? He was responsible! Weed wasn’t legal in California yet, so I got a little bit baked before I stashed the sativa in the glove box and wrapped a scarf around my hair like a starlet from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Kirk sped out of the parking lot and said he was taking me to a downtown hotel that was hosting a party that night in their lush lobby.
Kadillac Kirk pulled up to the main entrance, paid the valet, and then opened my door. I was wobbly from the weed. And I had stupidly decided to wear heels. You can get high or you can wear high (heels). You can’t have both. Not if you’ve repeatedly injured both ankles (as I have). I had to take Kirk’s arm to keep from keeling over. “Can people tell I’m stoned?” I whispered. Kirk replied, “Nobody’s paying any attention to anyone else’s intoxication. I promise you that much.” I nodded, steadied myself, and strutted alongside my very cool friend, feeling a little more confident.
A live jazz orchestra was playing Cole Porter as we entered the lobby. Everything sparkled. The music was even more intoxicating than the spliff had been. “Just One of Those Things” brought tears to my eyes since the lyrics hit every raw nerve regarding the Dennis debacle. But I smiled. It might sound mental, but being distraught over a trash fire of a one-sided romance was exhilarating. Immature, for sure. But also exhilarating. You see, that kind of sadness doesn’t hurt. Not really. It stings. It leaves little bruises, but it’s very safe to wallow in because you haven’t actually lost anything. Melancholia over that which you never had is as sweet as it is bitter; and that type of twisted splendor is rivaled only by Stendhal.
“Here's hoping we meet now and then. It was great fun, but it was just one of those things.” I sang along with the band, and a fat tear rolled down past my melancholic smile and onto my chin. Kirk brushed it aside. “Too close to home?” I wiped away the remnants of the tear’s journey from eye to chin and smiled a more genuine smile. “The perfect distance from home. Shall we get drinks? Remember, I’m buying.”
Kirk: No, no. This is your time to heal. And I’m here as your pal, not your chauffeur. What would the lady like?”
I pretended to barf. Kirk knew I hated it when he got overly formal and overly attentive. So he did it just to mess with me. “Shot of vodka,” I replied.
Kirk: How many?
I thought briefly. “FIVE.”
Kirk: Five to one, baby. One in five...
Me: No one here gets out alive.
Kirk: Are you able to hold yourself upright, or should you come with?
I took a seat on an ornate, damask-upholstered chaise lounge. “I’ll be okay. And I was kidding about the five shots.”
I sat there lost in the music for a while. I thought very little about Dennis. Even less about Mary. And not at all about Whisky (whom I had shagged less than a week ago). My mind danced through the ornate lighting in the hotel lobby, and I suddenly felt the need to join the hoity-toity guests on the dancefloor!
Kirk returned with four shots of vodka. Two for him, two for me. That was quite reasonable of him. He knew damn well that I couldn’t handle five shots, but he also knew that I was in a... state. One that called for more than a single shot. I raised a both miniature glasses to “No more ninnyhammers or hairy-footed lovers.” Kirk did his hilarious Smegal impression, we double-toasted, and downed the shots. The band launched into “Let’s Misbehave,” and I kicked off my stilettos and made a beeline for the dance floor.
“There’s something wild about you child that’s so contagious. Let’s be outrageous! Let’s misbehave.” Kadillac Kirk swept me up, twirled me around, and dipped me as we both sang along with the lyrics. I wasn’t swooning for him, but I was enthralled by the moment. The music, the dancing, the combination of booze and bud... so I kissed him as he pulled me back to my feet. And he kissed back. In a way that Dennis never had. In a way that Whisky’s beard wouldn’t permit. I didn’t feel the visceral sensations that I’d felt when Dennis had kissed me, but it felt nice to feel desired. And then I noticed that other guests were watching us and applauding. Now, that was a dopamine rush if ever there was one!
I gently broke away from the embrace, high-fived Kirk and returned to the chaise lounge to put my stupid shoes back on. He followed me and smashed his face back onto mine. I pulled away and laughed. “It was a moment,” I told him. “I appreciate the dance, and that kiss was the perfect finale. But it’s not happening again.”
Kirk: Not to worry, Valerie. I know you. I knew all along that we were performing, and I was more than happy to be your scene partner.
Me: And dance partner! Those were some excellent moves! I didn’t know you had ballroom training.
Kirk: You name it, I’ve mastered it. Another drink for the lady?
I pretended to barf again. “Not yet. I’m not sad right now. Do you mind if I just sit here and enjoy the music?”
Kirk: Ah. My kisses do have healing properties...
I flipped my hand up at him. “Knock that shit off, bro. I wanted to hang out with you because I trust you not to get weird. Even if I get weird, I know you have the maturity to balance me out.”
Kirk: Are you calling me old???
Me: No. I’m calling you rational, responsible, and respectful.
Kirk: Well, now. If you can articulate an alliterative statement that fluently, then you clearly aren’t drunk enough!
I dismissed this comment as a joke. And he did indeed knock off the flirtation. We had a perfectly pleasant time chatting and dancing (no more kissing, though). And then I noticed a girl I knew from Into the Woods entering the lobby. She’d played Florinda and I’d played Little Red. I called her name and waved enthusiastically. She waved back. And then her date entered. It was D.E.N.N.I.S. I sank into the chaise. Kirk caught on immediately. “The hobbit???” he asked. I nodded silently. “You wanna make out again?” he enthused. I shook my head. I had to go say hello to Flo. And I had an idea...
I crossed the lobby, smiled, squealed, and hugged her.
Florinda: Lil’ Red! It’s been forever! So glad to see you!!! This is my friend, Denny.
Dennis was shifting uncomfortably. I extended my hand. “Nice to meet you. I know your date from Into the Woods. I bet she could tell you some entertaining stories about that show...” Flo laughed out loud, well aware of the many misadventures to which I'd referred. Of course, she might have been laughing because Dennis never, ever listened to anyone else's stories. He was too busy telling, re-telling, slightly altering, and exaggerating his own.
Dennis: C’mon, Val...
Me: Oh, you’ve heard of me? Small world! You guys picked a great night to come here. They’re playing Cole Porter, and the band is delovely!
Florinda (appearing oblivious to the iciness between me and Dennis): Have you seen Prince Big Bad (Scumbanger) lately?
I laughed. “Last time I saw him, he was hitting on some nasty fat chick at The Imp.”
Flo and I both scoffed at the pervy pest. Into the Woods was where I’d initially met Scumbanger. He played The Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince. Again... typecasting. There’s a whole essay in my brain about my first encounter with the pest, during which he quoted the song that he sang to me in the show, “Hello, Little Girl.” But it gets into some pretty uncomfortable territory because he made me feel excited. Well, excited and scared. Nothing of note happened during Into the Woods, but our odd interactions did kind of set the stage for some extremely regrettable events during that Cats cast party.
I excused myself, saying that I needed to get back to my friend. And then I leaned in and said in a hushed voice to Flo, “Watch your ass with that one. If he’s the Denny I’m thinking of...” I gave her a look that only another female would be able to read. Her eyebrows shot up and she nodded. Dennis continued to shift as though he were trying to hold in a massive dump. “BABE! Uh...”
Flo apparently answered to that moniker as well. “What is it, Denny? Don’t worry. That was just telepathic girl talk. You apparently have a reputation...”
Dennis: Different Denny. I assure you I’m a pious gentleman.
Me: Ah. My mistake. Well, then. You guys have a good time! Nice to meet you, Denny. Great to see you, Flo!
I hugged Flo again, gave Dennis a curt nod, ignored the scent of mandarins and mountain air, and returned to Kirk.
I collapsed on the chaise lounge, exhausted from holding back the rage. I had no right to be mad at Florinda. I hadn’t seen her in three years, so how was she supposed to know that I’d had a thing with Dennis? Hell, I couldn’t even be mad at Dennis because the last time he and I had spoken in any meaningful way, I’d told him that I was no longer entertaining my crush on him. So why was I surprised to see him dating??? And why had he never taken ME out on a date like this??? And why wasn’t I smitten with Kadillac Kirk who HAD taken me out on a date like this, was an objectively excellent kisser, and a bona fide BALLER? What was wrong with me???
Kirk suggested going down the street to a quaint little bar and then sobering up at a diner closer to my apartment. I numbly nodded and followed him in silence for a few blocks. He assured me that I had “turned several heads” on the way to the new location, but I neither cared nor believed him. This wasn't the type of numbness I'd been aiming for. Now I needed to get schnockered. “Five shots of vodka, please.” Yes, I was serious.
Kadillac Kirk, my reliable designated driver, ordered only a beer and watched in something across between astonishment, concern, and delight as I slammed all five shots in rapid succession. I half expected to immediately retch all over the bar. But I felt fine. I half expected to immediately lose consciousness and wake up in the hospital. But I remained coherent. How I’d managed to take in that much hard liquor and suffer no direct consequences, I’ll never know.
I think I wanted to suffer. I wanted to either feel nothing at all or to feel a sickness bad enough to distract me from the scorching sting that pulsed through my being when I realized that I had lost the abstract notion I’d been addicted to this entire time. Hope. It wasn’t Dennis himself I couldn’t quit. It was that drug called hope. The hope that maybe, just maybe Dennis would give our romance a fair chance. The hope that maybe, just maybe he would make peace with himself, get his mind out of his crotch, and enjoy some agenda-free togetherness. The hope that maybe, just maybe he would stop bloviating about his admittedly impressive accomplishments for five fucking minutes and ask about my life. I had my own reasonably impressive accomplishments, even if they paled in comparison to his. A proper suitor would have enjoyed hearing about them.
But seeing him out with another woman, a woman who had no reason to parade her Dennis escapades before me as some means of revenge, a woman he was clearly courting of his own volition... My hope had died. It died before I’d had time to wean myself off it. Now I had to mourn the loss of hope, which is a very tricky brand of grief to navigate. Vodka wasn’t the answer, but it was what I had to work with. So it would have to do.
After enough time had passed without vomiting or collapsing, I asked Kirk to bring his car around to the bar so that I didn’t have to walk two and a half blocks drunk and in heels. He nodded and dramatically leaned in for a kiss. I recoiled. “DUDE! I told you. The moment has passed.”
Kirk: I beg your pardon. I misread your eyes. Thought I saw a green light...
Me: It’s fine. I just want to go home while I’m still feeling okay.
Kirk: Of course. Your chariot will be here soon.
He skipped off to fetch his Cadillac and I noticed that the lights in the bar were beginning to dance a bit. This should have been concerning. But then I realized that I was giggling. Wait... What? Oh shit. Sure, I was drunk from those shots. But what I was feeling in that moment wasn’t drunkery. It was stonery. Kirk probably misread my face because my pupils were dilated. Not from desire, but from drug use.
Some of you might be thinking that I was a bad friend for not introducing Lucy, an old dude connoisseur, to Kirk. Well... I did. Several years before the events of this story. He adored her. She, on the other hand, thought he was immature. And she wasn’t wrong. Lucy was astute when it came to sussing out a person’s true nature. Far more astute than I. Her initial assessment that Kirk was immature is about to be vindicated. Stretch those cringe muscles! It’s almost time for pie...
I somehow managed to get to his car. I honestly don’t recall how I got there. Did one of the bartenders carry me? Did some kind patron allow me to lean on him? Had Kadillac Kirk carried me out? I’m not sure. But my memory ceases to be fuzzy about halfway to the 24-hour diner. It might have been the very same 24-hour diner where Mary pulled her... shenanigans. I’ll never know.
Kirk: Would you say that you’re more drunk or more stoned?
Me: STONED. Definitely stoned.
Kirk made some sort of grunty noise and reached for my thigh. I slapped his hand.
Kirk: Stoned but not amorous? That’s rare.
I started laughing rather unkindly. “You’re a fucking horndog! I thought you were my safe straight male friend, dammit.”
Kirk: I solemnly swear that your safety is my primary concern, my stoned beauty.
I pretended to throw up.
Kirk: So... You’re not horny. But are you hungry? The diner I’m heading to makes this Maple Walnut Pie with the most sumptuous... sensual cream and exquisite drizzling of...
Me: Ew! Stop trying to bang the pie. Bro. Are YOU stoned? (Then I remembered the question.) Yes, I’m hungry. But I don’t like nuts. I’ll have banana cream.
Kirk made that repulsive grunty noise again. “Uhhhhh... Mmmmmm. Cream. Yessssss. Yes, we’ll be there in just a minute.” He was squirming in the driver's seat.
Me: GROSS, DUDE! If you’re gonna be like that I’ll just order HASH brows. Get it? Hash??? (I giggled uncontrollably.). You can’t make that sound nasty.
Kirk: Forgive my jokes. I think my blood sugar’s a bit low.
As Kirk parked, I began to wonder how I might get away with walking shoeless into the diner. The stilettos had to get off my feet. At least while I was walking. And Kirk was kind enough to give me his socks and wear his loafers “island style” into the establishment. Okay, that was gallant of him. Maybe he was going to behave himself for the rest of the evening.
I wasn’t terribly talkative as we sat down, and he expressed concern for my emotional well-being. I wasn’t coherent enough to explain what was happening to my emotions and I wasn’t sure I trusted him with my deep, dark secrets at that point. So I shrugged like a sulky teenager, ran my hands over my messy, windblown hair, and mumbled that I was “just hungry.” And right on cue, a very kind, slightly older waitress with a sweet southern accent stopped by to take our order.
Kirk: Ah, yes. We’ll have two cups of black coffee. And we’ll share a slice of that delectable Maple Walnut Pie.
Waitress: Oh, honey. That pie is scrumptious! I take it you’ve been here before?
Kirk: I have. This will be her first time to taste the splendor.
I hated to be a killjoy, but I interrupted and said to the waitress, “Ma’am? I’m sure the Maple Walnut is excellent, but could I please get a slice of Banana Cream? And a big glass of ice water?
Waitress: Sure, hon! Banana Cream’s just as yummy! I’ll be right back with those coffees and that big water.
Kirk was sucking on the tip of his forefinger and shaking his head a bit. “You’re passing up so many sensational... sensual...”
I put my forehead on the table and growled. “You swore you’d stop being nasty!” I held this #headdesk pose for quite some time before I finally lifted my head... only to see that Kirk was still sucking his fingertip and staring at me like a wild animal. “Pleeeeeease be normal,” I whined. “It’s been a really weird night for me.”
Kirk: Indeed. Many surprises. You know... You’re like titanium. Your flame burns so fast and so bright, if a guy doesn’t get in there while the iron is hot, he’ll never get another chance. I was too slow.
What the...? I was pretty sure he was wrong about titanium burning quickly. I’m no chemistry wiz, but my dad and my oldest brother are both big-brains when it comes to physics and chemistry. So I picked up some things just listening to them talk. Accurate or inaccurate, Kirk was being creepy again. He’d never been creepy towards me before, although I’d seen him act like this with other women. Usually with staggering success. Why????? His money. It had to be his money. Kirk was a nice-looking man, but holy shit... No amount of good looks could save this creep show.
And then, our sweet waitress sat down our coffees, my water, and the two slices of pie. After I gulped down a whole bunch of water, I grabbed a fork, prepared to quell my munchies... and then I froze. Kirk was quickly flicking his finger back and forth across the top of his pie. And moaning. He noticed my wide-eyed stare, smirked, sucked the tip of his thumb, picked up the plate with both hands, and began flicking his tongue across the tip of the triangular pie slice. And moaning some more. Well, there went my appetite.
Kirk took his middle finger and jabbed it into the crustless vertex of the pie slice, then he began pumping it in and out like a piston, and flicking his thumb across the increasingly demolished top layer of whipped cream. He gasped this time. People were starting to stare. His pointer finger joined his middle finger in the piston action, and he replaced his thumb with his tongue. Between flicks of the tongue, he groaned, “Oh yeah, baby... Let me taste you,” but it was kind of hard to understand him.
And I was either about to run to the back office, tell them that I was in danger and needed a police escort home... OR I was about to burst out laughing at the spectacle. Kirk continued... He removed his fingers and gregariously licked pie filling off of them. And then he started sucking his fingertips again, switching from middle to pointer, middle to pointer and emitting a delighted little, “Mmmmmm” with every suck.
Finally, he jabbed his fingers back into the utterly destroyed pie, lowered his face into the mess and lapped loudly and passionately, moaning, grunting, and mumbling “Come on, baby. Come on. Mmmmmm. Come on.” I could see the waitress and some dude in a suit heading over to the table, so I sank down in my seat, partially covered my face, but continued to watch the train wreck. At last, Kirk shuddered violently, he splatted his entire hand onto the plate and rubbed furiously. And then he locked eyes with me. He sucked the tip of his thumb one final time and said, “You...” There was a long pause during which Kirk lovingly stroked the mess he’d made. “You... are the pie.”
I don’t hang out with Kadillac Kirk anymore. But he’s still a bachelor, ladies!
submitted by CringeyVal0451 to ReddXReads [link] [comments]
Kirk was an older guy. Not MOE old, though. He was in his early forties, but he easily passed for a carefree dude in his 30s... not that he lied about his age. I only mention this trait to juxtapose Kirk’s genuine youthful air with Moe’s unconvincing youthful farce. Kirk dressed normally, avoided stupid jargon, and never busted out gimmicks like tarot cards or spells. He just existed, behaved affably, and people liked him for it.
He drove a classic 1962 Cadillac El Dorado convertible with red leather interior, and he lived in a charmingly quaint (and ridiculously expensive) neighborhood. How he made his fortune remained a mystery, but he never bloviated about his wealth. He just threw spectacular parties and people showed up. And, to my knowledge, he never tried to lure women into bed with his money (although I’m sure he got his fair share of boom-boom thanks to his digs and his wheels, even if the gold-diggers denied their monetary agendas).
Kirk was legitimately handsome. He was a drummer, he had a full head of black hair, he was clean-shaven, he worked out, and he knew all the hidden gems in Wellsprings. So why hadn’t I tried... or even desired to date him? I don’t know. I just didn’t feel drawn to him like that. He felt like a cool uncle and he had, thus far, never done anything to change my perception. Plus, the age difference weirded me out a little. Kirk didn’t look forty; but knowing that he had so much more life experience than I did created a power imbalance that would have creeped me out if we’d been dating. As buddies, I just felt supremely cool riding in his Cadillac, smoking Fantasia cigarettes, and hitting the speakeasies and jazz clubs I would have never known about if it weren’t for Kirk’s connections.
And he had been a good person to talk to about my romantic woes. He never lecherously suggested that I should date him, and he gave the type of tempered advice that only comes with lived experience. But he often lightly mocked me for my crush on Dennis and he did a hilarious impression of Smegal popping too soon over his “precious.” So when Mary “got me back” by doing whatever she did
Why hadn’t I called Whisky??? Well, A) Kirk was way more fun to hang out with, at least from my past experiences up to that point. And B) I needed to bitch about a boy, something I couldn’t do in good conscience in front of a guy I was dating. So I put on the sexiest plunging halter dress I owned, applied heavy eye makeup and spikey accessories, braved a pair of stilettos, and sashayed out to Kirk’s convertible. I felt like a badass rock star. I probably looked like a try-hard hooker.
Kirk: Daaaaay-um! Somebody really did do a number on you, huh? I know you said you were upset, but the gents are gonna be writing thank you notes to that fat girl and that butt-fucking hobbit.
Me: I just need to feel pretty and numb. And I trust you to keep me from making a fool of myself.
Kirk squeezed my shoulder. “I’ve got you. You do whatever you need to do to get rid of these demons.”
He sparked up a J and offered me the first puff. I gladly accepted. He took one puff of his own, but said that the rest was mine since he didn’t want to drive stoned. See? He was responsible! Weed wasn’t legal in California yet, so I got a little bit baked before I stashed the sativa in the glove box and wrapped a scarf around my hair like a starlet from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Kirk sped out of the parking lot and said he was taking me to a downtown hotel that was hosting a party that night in their lush lobby.
Kadillac Kirk pulled up to the main entrance, paid the valet, and then opened my door. I was wobbly from the weed. And I had stupidly decided to wear heels. You can get high or you can wear high (heels). You can’t have both. Not if you’ve repeatedly injured both ankles (as I have). I had to take Kirk’s arm to keep from keeling over. “Can people tell I’m stoned?” I whispered. Kirk replied, “Nobody’s paying any attention to anyone else’s intoxication. I promise you that much.” I nodded, steadied myself, and strutted alongside my very cool friend, feeling a little more confident.
A live jazz orchestra was playing Cole Porter as we entered the lobby. Everything sparkled. The music was even more intoxicating than the spliff had been. “Just One of Those Things” brought tears to my eyes since the lyrics hit every raw nerve regarding the Dennis debacle. But I smiled. It might sound mental, but being distraught over a trash fire of a one-sided romance was exhilarating. Immature, for sure. But also exhilarating. You see, that kind of sadness doesn’t hurt. Not really. It stings. It leaves little bruises, but it’s very safe to wallow in because you haven’t actually lost anything. Melancholia over that which you never had is as sweet as it is bitter; and that type of twisted splendor is rivaled only by Stendhal.
“Here's hoping we meet now and then. It was great fun, but it was just one of those things.” I sang along with the band, and a fat tear rolled down past my melancholic smile and onto my chin. Kirk brushed it aside. “Too close to home?” I wiped away the remnants of the tear’s journey from eye to chin and smiled a more genuine smile. “The perfect distance from home. Shall we get drinks? Remember, I’m buying.”
Kirk: No, no. This is your time to heal. And I’m here as your pal, not your chauffeur. What would the lady like?”
I pretended to barf. Kirk knew I hated it when he got overly formal and overly attentive. So he did it just to mess with me. “Shot of vodka,” I replied.
Kirk: How many?
I thought briefly. “FIVE.”
Kirk: Five to one, baby. One in five...
Me: No one here gets out alive.
Kirk: Are you able to hold yourself upright, or should you come with?
I took a seat on an ornate, damask-upholstered chaise lounge. “I’ll be okay. And I was kidding about the five shots.”
I sat there lost in the music for a while. I thought very little about Dennis. Even less about Mary. And not at all about Whisky (whom I had shagged less than a week ago). My mind danced through the ornate lighting in the hotel lobby, and I suddenly felt the need to join the hoity-toity guests on the dancefloor!
Kirk returned with four shots of vodka. Two for him, two for me. That was quite reasonable of him. He knew damn well that I couldn’t handle five shots, but he also knew that I was in a... state. One that called for more than a single shot. I raised a both miniature glasses to “No more ninnyhammers or hairy-footed lovers.” Kirk did his hilarious Smegal impression, we double-toasted, and downed the shots. The band launched into “Let’s Misbehave,” and I kicked off my stilettos and made a beeline for the dance floor.
“There’s something wild about you child that’s so contagious. Let’s be outrageous! Let’s misbehave.” Kadillac Kirk swept me up, twirled me around, and dipped me as we both sang along with the lyrics. I wasn’t swooning for him, but I was enthralled by the moment. The music, the dancing, the combination of booze and bud... so I kissed him as he pulled me back to my feet. And he kissed back. In a way that Dennis never had. In a way that Whisky’s beard wouldn’t permit. I didn’t feel the visceral sensations that I’d felt when Dennis had kissed me, but it felt nice to feel desired. And then I noticed that other guests were watching us and applauding. Now, that was a dopamine rush if ever there was one!
I gently broke away from the embrace, high-fived Kirk and returned to the chaise lounge to put my stupid shoes back on. He followed me and smashed his face back onto mine. I pulled away and laughed. “It was a moment,” I told him. “I appreciate the dance, and that kiss was the perfect finale. But it’s not happening again.”
Kirk: Not to worry, Valerie. I know you. I knew all along that we were performing, and I was more than happy to be your scene partner.
Me: And dance partner! Those were some excellent moves! I didn’t know you had ballroom training.
Kirk: You name it, I’ve mastered it. Another drink for the lady?
I pretended to barf again. “Not yet. I’m not sad right now. Do you mind if I just sit here and enjoy the music?”
Kirk: Ah. My kisses do have healing properties...
I flipped my hand up at him. “Knock that shit off, bro. I wanted to hang out with you because I trust you not to get weird. Even if I get weird, I know you have the maturity to balance me out.”
Kirk: Are you calling me old???
Me: No. I’m calling you rational, responsible, and respectful.
Kirk: Well, now. If you can articulate an alliterative statement that fluently, then you clearly aren’t drunk enough!
I dismissed this comment as a joke. And he did indeed knock off the flirtation. We had a perfectly pleasant time chatting and dancing (no more kissing, though). And then I noticed a girl I knew from Into the Woods entering the lobby. She’d played Florinda and I’d played Little Red. I called her name and waved enthusiastically. She waved back. And then her date entered. It was D.E.N.N.I.S. I sank into the chaise. Kirk caught on immediately. “The hobbit???” he asked. I nodded silently. “You wanna make out again?” he enthused. I shook my head. I had to go say hello to Flo. And I had an idea...
I crossed the lobby, smiled, squealed, and hugged her.
Florinda: Lil’ Red! It’s been forever! So glad to see you!!! This is my friend, Denny.
Dennis was shifting uncomfortably. I extended my hand. “Nice to meet you. I know your date from Into the Woods. I bet she could tell you some entertaining stories about that show...” Flo laughed out loud, well aware of the many misadventures to which I'd referred. Of course, she might have been laughing because Dennis never, ever listened to anyone else's stories. He was too busy telling, re-telling, slightly altering, and exaggerating his own.
Dennis: C’mon, Val...
Me: Oh, you’ve heard of me? Small world! You guys picked a great night to come here. They’re playing Cole Porter, and the band is delovely!
Florinda (appearing oblivious to the iciness between me and Dennis): Have you seen Prince Big Bad (Scumbanger) lately?
I laughed. “Last time I saw him, he was hitting on some nasty fat chick at The Imp.”
Flo and I both scoffed at the pervy pest. Into the Woods was where I’d initially met Scumbanger. He played The Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince. Again... typecasting. There’s a whole essay in my brain about my first encounter with the pest, during which he quoted the song that he sang to me in the show, “Hello, Little Girl.” But it gets into some pretty uncomfortable territory because he made me feel excited. Well, excited and scared. Nothing of note happened during Into the Woods, but our odd interactions did kind of set the stage for some extremely regrettable events during that Cats cast party.
I excused myself, saying that I needed to get back to my friend. And then I leaned in and said in a hushed voice to Flo, “Watch your ass with that one. If he’s the Denny I’m thinking of...” I gave her a look that only another female would be able to read. Her eyebrows shot up and she nodded. Dennis continued to shift as though he were trying to hold in a massive dump. “BABE! Uh...”
Flo apparently answered to that moniker as well. “What is it, Denny? Don’t worry. That was just telepathic girl talk. You apparently have a reputation...”
Dennis: Different Denny. I assure you I’m a pious gentleman.
Me: Ah. My mistake. Well, then. You guys have a good time! Nice to meet you, Denny. Great to see you, Flo!
I hugged Flo again, gave Dennis a curt nod, ignored the scent of mandarins and mountain air, and returned to Kirk.
I collapsed on the chaise lounge, exhausted from holding back the rage. I had no right to be mad at Florinda. I hadn’t seen her in three years, so how was she supposed to know that I’d had a thing with Dennis? Hell, I couldn’t even be mad at Dennis because the last time he and I had spoken in any meaningful way, I’d told him that I was no longer entertaining my crush on him. So why was I surprised to see him dating??? And why had he never taken ME out on a date like this??? And why wasn’t I smitten with Kadillac Kirk who HAD taken me out on a date like this, was an objectively excellent kisser, and a bona fide BALLER? What was wrong with me???
Kirk suggested going down the street to a quaint little bar and then sobering up at a diner closer to my apartment. I numbly nodded and followed him in silence for a few blocks. He assured me that I had “turned several heads” on the way to the new location, but I neither cared nor believed him. This wasn't the type of numbness I'd been aiming for. Now I needed to get schnockered. “Five shots of vodka, please.” Yes, I was serious.
Kadillac Kirk, my reliable designated driver, ordered only a beer and watched in something across between astonishment, concern, and delight as I slammed all five shots in rapid succession. I half expected to immediately retch all over the bar. But I felt fine. I half expected to immediately lose consciousness and wake up in the hospital. But I remained coherent. How I’d managed to take in that much hard liquor and suffer no direct consequences, I’ll never know.
I think I wanted to suffer. I wanted to either feel nothing at all or to feel a sickness bad enough to distract me from the scorching sting that pulsed through my being when I realized that I had lost the abstract notion I’d been addicted to this entire time. Hope. It wasn’t Dennis himself I couldn’t quit. It was that drug called hope. The hope that maybe, just maybe Dennis would give our romance a fair chance. The hope that maybe, just maybe he would make peace with himself, get his mind out of his crotch, and enjoy some agenda-free togetherness. The hope that maybe, just maybe he would stop bloviating about his admittedly impressive accomplishments for five fucking minutes and ask about my life. I had my own reasonably impressive accomplishments, even if they paled in comparison to his. A proper suitor would have enjoyed hearing about them.
But seeing him out with another woman, a woman who had no reason to parade her Dennis escapades before me as some means of revenge, a woman he was clearly courting of his own volition... My hope had died. It died before I’d had time to wean myself off it. Now I had to mourn the loss of hope, which is a very tricky brand of grief to navigate. Vodka wasn’t the answer, but it was what I had to work with. So it would have to do.
After enough time had passed without vomiting or collapsing, I asked Kirk to bring his car around to the bar so that I didn’t have to walk two and a half blocks drunk and in heels. He nodded and dramatically leaned in for a kiss. I recoiled. “DUDE! I told you. The moment has passed.”
Kirk: I beg your pardon. I misread your eyes. Thought I saw a green light...
Me: It’s fine. I just want to go home while I’m still feeling okay.
Kirk: Of course. Your chariot will be here soon.
He skipped off to fetch his Cadillac and I noticed that the lights in the bar were beginning to dance a bit. This should have been concerning. But then I realized that I was giggling. Wait... What? Oh shit. Sure, I was drunk from those shots. But what I was feeling in that moment wasn’t drunkery. It was stonery. Kirk probably misread my face because my pupils were dilated. Not from desire, but from drug use.
Some of you might be thinking that I was a bad friend for not introducing Lucy, an old dude connoisseur, to Kirk. Well... I did. Several years before the events of this story. He adored her. She, on the other hand, thought he was immature. And she wasn’t wrong. Lucy was astute when it came to sussing out a person’s true nature. Far more astute than I. Her initial assessment that Kirk was immature is about to be vindicated. Stretch those cringe muscles! It’s almost time for pie...
I somehow managed to get to his car. I honestly don’t recall how I got there. Did one of the bartenders carry me? Did some kind patron allow me to lean on him? Had Kadillac Kirk carried me out? I’m not sure. But my memory ceases to be fuzzy about halfway to the 24-hour diner. It might have been the very same 24-hour diner where Mary pulled her... shenanigans. I’ll never know.
Kirk: Would you say that you’re more drunk or more stoned?
Me: STONED. Definitely stoned.
Kirk made some sort of grunty noise and reached for my thigh. I slapped his hand.
Kirk: Stoned but not amorous? That’s rare.
I started laughing rather unkindly. “You’re a fucking horndog! I thought you were my safe straight male friend, dammit.”
Kirk: I solemnly swear that your safety is my primary concern, my stoned beauty.
I pretended to throw up.
Kirk: So... You’re not horny. But are you hungry? The diner I’m heading to makes this Maple Walnut Pie with the most sumptuous... sensual cream and exquisite drizzling of...
Me: Ew! Stop trying to bang the pie. Bro. Are YOU stoned? (Then I remembered the question.) Yes, I’m hungry. But I don’t like nuts. I’ll have banana cream.
Kirk made that repulsive grunty noise again. “Uhhhhh... Mmmmmm. Cream. Yessssss. Yes, we’ll be there in just a minute.” He was squirming in the driver's seat.
Me: GROSS, DUDE! If you’re gonna be like that I’ll just order HASH brows. Get it? Hash??? (I giggled uncontrollably.). You can’t make that sound nasty.
Kirk: Forgive my jokes. I think my blood sugar’s a bit low.
As Kirk parked, I began to wonder how I might get away with walking shoeless into the diner. The stilettos had to get off my feet. At least while I was walking. And Kirk was kind enough to give me his socks and wear his loafers “island style” into the establishment. Okay, that was gallant of him. Maybe he was going to behave himself for the rest of the evening.
I wasn’t terribly talkative as we sat down, and he expressed concern for my emotional well-being. I wasn’t coherent enough to explain what was happening to my emotions and I wasn’t sure I trusted him with my deep, dark secrets at that point. So I shrugged like a sulky teenager, ran my hands over my messy, windblown hair, and mumbled that I was “just hungry.” And right on cue, a very kind, slightly older waitress with a sweet southern accent stopped by to take our order.
Kirk: Ah, yes. We’ll have two cups of black coffee. And we’ll share a slice of that delectable Maple Walnut Pie.
Waitress: Oh, honey. That pie is scrumptious! I take it you’ve been here before?
Kirk: I have. This will be her first time to taste the splendor.
I hated to be a killjoy, but I interrupted and said to the waitress, “Ma’am? I’m sure the Maple Walnut is excellent, but could I please get a slice of Banana Cream? And a big glass of ice water?
Waitress: Sure, hon! Banana Cream’s just as yummy! I’ll be right back with those coffees and that big water.
Kirk was sucking on the tip of his forefinger and shaking his head a bit. “You’re passing up so many sensational... sensual...”
I put my forehead on the table and growled. “You swore you’d stop being nasty!” I held this #headdesk pose for quite some time before I finally lifted my head... only to see that Kirk was still sucking his fingertip and staring at me like a wild animal. “Pleeeeeease be normal,” I whined. “It’s been a really weird night for me.”
Kirk: Indeed. Many surprises. You know... You’re like titanium. Your flame burns so fast and so bright, if a guy doesn’t get in there while the iron is hot, he’ll never get another chance. I was too slow.
What the...? I was pretty sure he was wrong about titanium burning quickly. I’m no chemistry wiz, but my dad and my oldest brother are both big-brains when it comes to physics and chemistry. So I picked up some things just listening to them talk. Accurate or inaccurate, Kirk was being creepy again. He’d never been creepy towards me before, although I’d seen him act like this with other women. Usually with staggering success. Why????? His money. It had to be his money. Kirk was a nice-looking man, but holy shit... No amount of good looks could save this creep show.
And then, our sweet waitress sat down our coffees, my water, and the two slices of pie. After I gulped down a whole bunch of water, I grabbed a fork, prepared to quell my munchies... and then I froze. Kirk was quickly flicking his finger back and forth across the top of his pie. And moaning. He noticed my wide-eyed stare, smirked, sucked the tip of his thumb, picked up the plate with both hands, and began flicking his tongue across the tip of the triangular pie slice. And moaning some more. Well, there went my appetite.
Kirk took his middle finger and jabbed it into the crustless vertex of the pie slice, then he began pumping it in and out like a piston, and flicking his thumb across the increasingly demolished top layer of whipped cream. He gasped this time. People were starting to stare. His pointer finger joined his middle finger in the piston action, and he replaced his thumb with his tongue. Between flicks of the tongue, he groaned, “Oh yeah, baby... Let me taste you,” but it was kind of hard to understand him.
And I was either about to run to the back office, tell them that I was in danger and needed a police escort home... OR I was about to burst out laughing at the spectacle. Kirk continued... He removed his fingers and gregariously licked pie filling off of them. And then he started sucking his fingertips again, switching from middle to pointer, middle to pointer and emitting a delighted little, “Mmmmmm” with every suck.
Finally, he jabbed his fingers back into the utterly destroyed pie, lowered his face into the mess and lapped loudly and passionately, moaning, grunting, and mumbling “Come on, baby. Come on. Mmmmmm. Come on.” I could see the waitress and some dude in a suit heading over to the table, so I sank down in my seat, partially covered my face, but continued to watch the train wreck. At last, Kirk shuddered violently, he splatted his entire hand onto the plate and rubbed furiously. And then he locked eyes with me. He sucked the tip of his thumb one final time and said, “You...” There was a long pause during which Kirk lovingly stroked the mess he’d made. “You... are the pie.”
I don’t hang out with Kadillac Kirk anymore. But he’s still a bachelor, ladies!
2024.05.21 10:59 _Triple_ [STORE] 900+ KNIVES/GLOVES/SKINS, 100.000$+ INVENTORY. BFK Lore, Gloves Amphibious, Skeleton Fade, Bowie Emerald, BFK Auto, Gloves MF, Talon Doppler, Gloves POW, Bayo Tiger, Gut Sapphire, Stiletto MF, M9 Ultra, Ursus Doppler, Flip Doppler, M9 Stained, Nomad CW, Paracord CW, AK-47 X-Ray & A Lot More
Everything in my inventory is up for trade. The most valuable items are listed here, the rest you can find in My Inventory
Feel free to Add Me or even better send a Trade Offer. Open for any suggestions: upgrades, downgrades / knives, gloves, skins / stickers, patterns, floats.
All Buyouts are listed in cash value.
KNIVES
★ Butterfly Knife Lore (Factory New), B/O: $7194.77
★ Butterfly Knife Autotronic (Minimal Wear), B/O: $2025.74
⎯★ M9 Bayonet Ultraviolet (Field-Tested), B/O: $557.87
★ M9 Bayonet Stained (Well-Worn), B/O: $529.41
★ M9 Bayonet Boreal Forest (Field-Tested), B/O: $465.39
⎯★ Talon Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $1295.27
★ Bayonet Tiger Tooth (Minimal Wear), B/O: $746.28
★ Karambit Bright Water (Field-Tested), B/O: $688.15
⎯★ Flip Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $547.93
★ Flip Knife Autotronic (Minimal Wear), B/O: $476.69
★ Flip Knife Case Hardened (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $278.18
★ Flip Knife Black Laminate (Well-Worn), B/O: $258.83
★ Flip Knife Urban Masked (Field-Tested), B/O: $181.64
⎯★ Stiletto Knife Marble Fade (Factory New), B/O: $686.04
★ Stiletto Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $665.41
★ Stiletto Knife, B/O: $601.39
★ Stiletto Knife Crimson Web (Field-Tested), B/O: $418.25
★ Stiletto Knife Night Stripe (Field-Tested), B/O: $227.80
★ Stiletto Knife Boreal Forest (Field-Tested), B/O: $194.96
★ Stiletto Knife Safari Mesh (Field-Tested), B/O: $192.79
⎯★ Nomad Knife Crimson Web (Field-Tested), B/O: $518.11
★ Nomad Knife Scorched (Field-Tested), B/O: $169.78
★ Nomad Knife Forest DDPAT (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $166.88
★ StatTrak™ Nomad Knife Blue Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $335.79
⎯★ Skeleton Knife Stained (Well-Worn), B/O: $442.05
★ Skeleton Knife Urban Masked (Minimal Wear), B/O: $426.24
★ Skeleton Knife Boreal Forest (Field-Tested), B/O: $314.03
★ StatTrak™ Skeleton Knife Fade (Minimal Wear), B/O: $2361.28
★ StatTrak™ Skeleton Knife Urban Masked (Field-Tested), B/O: $376.53
⎯★ Ursus Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $557.12
★ Ursus Knife, B/O: $471.42
★ Ursus Knife Blue Steel (Minimal Wear), B/O: $212.37
★ Ursus Knife Case Hardened (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $187.66
★ Ursus Knife Damascus Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $178.18
★ Ursus Knife Ultraviolet (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $155.13
★ Ursus Knife Boreal Forest (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $124.26
⎯★ Huntsman Knife Black Laminate (Minimal Wear), B/O: $204.83
★ Huntsman Knife Black Laminate (Field-Tested), B/O: $184.50
★ StatTrak™ Huntsman Knife Lore (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $224.11
⎯★ Bowie Knife Gamma Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $2142.02
★ Bowie Knife, B/O: $230.44
★ Bowie Knife Damascus Steel (Factory New), B/O: $209.20
★ Bowie Knife Ultraviolet (Minimal Wear), B/O: $180.51
★ Bowie Knife Ultraviolet (Field-Tested), B/O: $131.03
⎯★ Falchion Knife Night (Field-Tested), B/O: $132.54
★ Falchion Knife Urban Masked (Well-Worn), B/O: $112.81
★ Falchion Knife Scorched (Field-Tested), B/O: $108.81
★ Falchion Knife Forest DDPAT (Field-Tested), B/O: $107.82
★ Falchion Knife Safari Mesh (Field-Tested), B/O: $107.46
★ StatTrak™ Falchion Knife Ultraviolet (Field-Tested), B/O: $143.08
⎯★ Paracord Knife Crimson Web (Minimal Wear), B/O: $486.48
★ Paracord Knife Blue Steel (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $163.12
⎯★ Survival Knife Blue Steel (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $138.26
★ Survival Knife Night Stripe (Field-Tested), B/O: $131.03
⎯★ Gut Knife Sapphire (Minimal Wear), B/O: $1127.79
★ Gut Knife Gamma Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $286.17
★ Gut Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $246.55
★ Gut Knife Marble Fade (Factory New), B/O: $240.77
★ Gut Knife, B/O: $210.49
★ Gut Knife Lore (Field-Tested), B/O: $194.22
★ Gut Knife Case Hardened (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $151.51
★ Gut Knife Blue Steel (Minimal Wear), B/O: $124.94
★ Gut Knife Rust Coat (Well-Worn), B/O: $118.99
★ Gut Knife Boreal Forest (Minimal Wear), B/O: $109.80
★ StatTrak™ Gut Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $237.96
⎯★ Shadow Daggers Gamma Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $264.92
★ Shadow Daggers Marble Fade (Factory New), B/O: $253.03
★ Shadow Daggers Tiger Tooth (Factory New), B/O: $237.22
★ Shadow Daggers Crimson Web (Field-Tested), B/O: $153.40
★ Shadow Daggers Autotronic (Minimal Wear), B/O: $144.42
★ Shadow Daggers Blue Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $105.20
★ StatTrak™ Shadow Daggers Damascus Steel (Minimal Wear), B/O: $150.46
⎯★ Navaja Knife Fade (Factory New), B/O: $365.99
★ Navaja Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $228.93
★ Navaja Knife Marble Fade (Factory New), B/O: $227.43
★ Navaja Knife Slaughter (Factory New), B/O: $209.06
★ Navaja Knife, B/O: $203.16
★ Navaja Knife Case Hardened (Well-Worn), B/O: $132.57
★ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel (Factory New), B/O: $121.69
★ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel (Minimal Wear), B/O: $109.95
★ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $100.41
★ StatTrak™ Navaja Knife Fade (Factory New), B/O: $369.01
★ StatTrak™ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $109.95
GLOVES
★ Sport Gloves Amphibious (Minimal Wear), B/O: $2394.67
★ Sport Gloves Omega (Well-Worn), B/O: $572.33
★ Sport Gloves Bronze Morph (Minimal Wear), B/O: $338.88
★ Sport Gloves Big Game (Field-Tested), B/O: $323.66
⎯★ Specialist Gloves Marble Fade (Minimal Wear), B/O: $1652.07
★ Specialist Gloves Tiger Strike (Field-Tested), B/O: $599.14
★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Web (Well-Worn), B/O: $231.57
★ Specialist Gloves Buckshot (Minimal Wear), B/O: $126.21
⎯★ Moto Gloves POW! (Minimal Wear), B/O: $996.99
★ Moto Gloves POW! (Field-Tested), B/O: $383.31
★ Moto Gloves POW! (Well-Worn), B/O: $276.00
★ Moto Gloves Turtle (Field-Tested), B/O: $180.28
⎯★ Hand Wraps CAUTION! (Minimal Wear), B/O: $502.29
★ Hand Wraps Giraffe (Minimal Wear), B/O: $180.73
★ Hand Wraps CAUTION! (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $178.32
⎯★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar (Minimal Wear), B/O: $181.01
★ Driver Gloves Rezan the Red (Field-Tested), B/O: $101.66
⎯★ Broken Fang Gloves Jade (Field-Tested), B/O: $127.88
★ Broken Fang Gloves Needle Point (Minimal Wear), B/O: $124.55
⎯★ Bloodhound Gloves Guerrilla (Minimal Wear), B/O: $127.94
★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened (Field-Tested), B/O: $102.55
WEAPONS
AK-47 X-Ray (Well-Worn), B/O: $478.95
AUG Hot Rod (Factory New), B/O: $425.83
StatTrak™ M4A1-S Hyper Beast (Factory New), B/O: $413.95
M4A4 Daybreak (Factory New), B/O: $309.51
StatTrak™ AK-47 Aquamarine Revenge (Factory New), B/O: $305.43
AK-47 Case Hardened (Well-Worn), B/O: $196.38
StatTrak™ M4A4 Temukau (Minimal Wear), B/O: $174.64
P90 Run and Hide (Field-Tested), B/O: $167.03
AWP Asiimov (Field-Tested), B/O: $153.33
Souvenir SSG 08 Death Strike (Minimal Wear), B/O: $140.00
M4A1-S Printstream (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $124.70
StatTrak™ M4A1-S Golden Coil (Field-Tested), B/O: $117.48
AWP Asiimov (Well-Worn), B/O: $115.97
StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Printstream (Minimal Wear), B/O: $112.96
StatTrak™ AK-47 Asiimov (Minimal Wear), B/O: $110.85
Souvenir M4A1-S Master Piece (Well-Worn), B/O: $102.42
AK-47 Bloodsport (Minimal Wear), B/O: $100.53
Trade Offer Link - Steam Profile Link - My Inventory
Some items on the list may no longer be available or are still locked, visit My Inventory for more details.
Send a Trade Offer for fastest response. I consider all offers.
Add me for discuss if there is a serious offer that needs to be discussed.
2024.05.21 10:14 SeaPhotograph474 Guy ghosts me, comes back from the dead as a flake, then is surprised I’m not romantically interested??
Not sure if this guy is a Reddit user but I’m looking for insight into what his thought process could have been because I still can’t wrap my head around it. This might be kind of long because I have a tendency to ramble but I’m going to try and keep it as short as I can (yeah it’s pretty long sorry…)
For background, I’m a female in her late twenties. I met this guy online and started talking to him about two years ago. We went on one official date. I really liked him but we were both pretty busy since I was working full time while getting my masters and he was pursuing a rigorous/demanding degree, so we’d established that we weren’t really looking for a relationship but that we enjoyed each others’ company and chatting, but maybe we could entertain something casual if it ever got to that point. I think we saw each other 3 times in two months. As we were planning the fourth “date” (a movie night at his place), I suddenly got ghosted.
My ego took a bit of a hit but I recovered and ended up meeting a guy who would later become my boyfriend. A few months into my relationship, the first guy suddenly messaged me on IG, sharing a meme and making a joke about something he’d previously teased me about. I just ignored it and moved on. (Note: I had never publicized my relationship status)
Fast forward towards the end of last year, my relationship ends and, I know this isn’t something to be proud of, but I was looking for someone I knew I wouldn’t get attached to to take my mind off things, so I hit this guy up again just to have someone to message to fill in the void. We chat occasionally but the conversation is fairly sparse, and though I THINK he was flirting, he would also redirect the convo every time I flirted back. We attempt to get dinner a few times, but he kept cancelling and then saying I should just come over instead. At this point we hadn’t seen each other for over a year. While I wasn’t opposed to the idea of hooking up, I wanted to either go for food/an activity beforehand, OR have him directly come out and say that he was just looking to bang, not bail then switch on me. Honestly, at this point I was under the impression that we were just friendly and there was nothing more.
Anyways, come February, I land a job that moves me a few hours away. I posted a story at some point after the move that he responds to and we get to chatting again, and he makes a comment about seeing my bed in my new apartment and I joke about stranger danger since we’re practically just pen pals. He asks if he just got friend zoned, and I, thinking he was making a joke, asked him if this was new news. The following conversation was him saying that he always thought that we’d had something and he only backed off when we first met because I said I wasn’t looking for a relationship.
At this point, I’m really confused. For one, he was actually the one who said he was too busy to date when we had the initial conversation, before he ghosted me. Two, we hadn’t seen each other in a year and exchanged a dozen messages every few weeks. I don’t know about anyone else, but that’s not the frequency at which I speak to anyone I’m romantically interested in. I admit to him that I was interested when we’d first met, but since we could never actually meet up and only spoke sparsely, I stopped thinking in that direction. He proceeds to get a bit passive aggressive so I stop responding and I’m just sitting there dazed and confused (and also hungover lol).
I told my friend about it and she said it sounds like a bruised ego since he’s tall, fairly attractive, and is in a prestigious field, but I still cant wrap my head around it. I feel like if he was interested, he could have said something outright and we could’ve readjusted to our situation, but there was nothing? We haven’t spoken since but can someone shed some light on what the potential thought process might be??
submitted by SeaPhotograph474 to dating_advice [link] [comments]
For background, I’m a female in her late twenties. I met this guy online and started talking to him about two years ago. We went on one official date. I really liked him but we were both pretty busy since I was working full time while getting my masters and he was pursuing a rigorous/demanding degree, so we’d established that we weren’t really looking for a relationship but that we enjoyed each others’ company and chatting, but maybe we could entertain something casual if it ever got to that point. I think we saw each other 3 times in two months. As we were planning the fourth “date” (a movie night at his place), I suddenly got ghosted.
My ego took a bit of a hit but I recovered and ended up meeting a guy who would later become my boyfriend. A few months into my relationship, the first guy suddenly messaged me on IG, sharing a meme and making a joke about something he’d previously teased me about. I just ignored it and moved on. (Note: I had never publicized my relationship status)
Fast forward towards the end of last year, my relationship ends and, I know this isn’t something to be proud of, but I was looking for someone I knew I wouldn’t get attached to to take my mind off things, so I hit this guy up again just to have someone to message to fill in the void. We chat occasionally but the conversation is fairly sparse, and though I THINK he was flirting, he would also redirect the convo every time I flirted back. We attempt to get dinner a few times, but he kept cancelling and then saying I should just come over instead. At this point we hadn’t seen each other for over a year. While I wasn’t opposed to the idea of hooking up, I wanted to either go for food/an activity beforehand, OR have him directly come out and say that he was just looking to bang, not bail then switch on me. Honestly, at this point I was under the impression that we were just friendly and there was nothing more.
Anyways, come February, I land a job that moves me a few hours away. I posted a story at some point after the move that he responds to and we get to chatting again, and he makes a comment about seeing my bed in my new apartment and I joke about stranger danger since we’re practically just pen pals. He asks if he just got friend zoned, and I, thinking he was making a joke, asked him if this was new news. The following conversation was him saying that he always thought that we’d had something and he only backed off when we first met because I said I wasn’t looking for a relationship.
At this point, I’m really confused. For one, he was actually the one who said he was too busy to date when we had the initial conversation, before he ghosted me. Two, we hadn’t seen each other in a year and exchanged a dozen messages every few weeks. I don’t know about anyone else, but that’s not the frequency at which I speak to anyone I’m romantically interested in. I admit to him that I was interested when we’d first met, but since we could never actually meet up and only spoke sparsely, I stopped thinking in that direction. He proceeds to get a bit passive aggressive so I stop responding and I’m just sitting there dazed and confused (and also hungover lol).
I told my friend about it and she said it sounds like a bruised ego since he’s tall, fairly attractive, and is in a prestigious field, but I still cant wrap my head around it. I feel like if he was interested, he could have said something outright and we could’ve readjusted to our situation, but there was nothing? We haven’t spoken since but can someone shed some light on what the potential thought process might be??
2024.05.21 10:12 Ante_1997 [STORE] KNIVES, GLOVES, PLAYSKINS, 12.000€+ INVENTORY! M9 Bayonet, Stiletto, Talon, Karambit, Survival, Skeleton, Falchion, Bowie, Ursus, Shadow Daggers, Butterfly, Nomad, Classic, Paracord, Broken fang, Driver gloves, Specialist gloves, Hydra wraps, Broken Fang Gloves, AWP, AK-47, M4A1, M4A4, USP
My tradelink: https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffenew/?partner=102474654&token=BH1q6eSo
My steam profile: https://steamcommunity.com/id/darknezz_/
Everything up for a trade, some skins might not be tradable or visible yet
Buyouts are in cash (EURO), send trade offers, only trading, i'm taking cases
★ Butterfly Knife Case Hardened FN - B/O 1316.91
★ Falchion Knife Doppler (Ruby) FN - B/O 942.16
★ Talon Knife Tiger Tooth FN - B/O 607.15
★ Karambit Ultraviolet FT - B/O 581.21
AWP Lightning Strike FN - B/O 500.60
★ Driver Gloves Imperial Plaid FT - B/O 285.21
★ Sport Gloves Slingshot BS- B/O 261.85
★ StatTrak Flip Knife Case Hardened FT- B/O 239.18
★ Bayonet Ultraviolet FT - B/O 212.18
★ Skeleton Knife Scorched BS- B/O 210.51
★ Shadow Daggers Doppler (Phase 1) FN - B/O 196.39
★ Paracord Knife Crimson Web FT- B/O 171.36
★ StatTrak Bowie Knife Rust Coat WW - B/O 138.56
★ Falchion Knife Autotronic BS- B/O 136.26
★ Paracord Knife Blue Steel BS- B/O 134.78
★ Shadow Daggers Slaughter FT- B/O 127.72
★ Navaja Knife Tiger Tooth MW- B/O 123.22
★ Driver Gloves Lunar Weave FT- B/O 121.75
★ Bowie Knife Damascus Steel WW - B/O 121.62
★ Bowie Knife Freehand FT- B/O 116.17
★ StatTrak Paracord Knife Boreal Forest MW- B/O 115.01
★ StatTrak Gut Knife Crimson Web FT- B/O 114.24
★ Falchion Knife Bright Water FT- B/O 106.29
★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened FT- B/O 101.15
★ Gut Knife Damascus Steel MW- B/O 100.76
★ StatTrak Bowie Knife Urban Masked FT- B/O 96.21
★ Shadow Daggers Lore BS- B/O 89.85
P90 Emerald Dragon MW- B/O 89.28
★ Driver Gloves Rezan the Red FT- B/O 87.16
★ Bowie Knife Urban Masked FT- B/O 85.87
StatTrak AWP Electric Hive FN - B/O 84.07
★ Paracord Knife Safari Mesh MW- B/O 80.80
StatTrak M4A4 Temukau MW- B/O 76.75
StatTrak AWP Wildfire FT- B/O 76.62
★ Survival Knife Forest DDPAT BS- B/O 76.25
★ Gut Knife Safari Mesh FT- B/O 72.39
StatTrak Desert Eagle Kumicho Dragon FN - B/O 70.59
★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar FT- B/O 70.08
★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded FT- B/O 69.95
★ Navaja Knife Night Stripe FT- B/O 68.98
★ Driver Gloves Diamondback BS - B/O 67.70
★ Hand Wraps Duct Tape FT- B/O 67.32
★ Specialist Gloves Buckshot FT- B/O 67.14
StatTrak Galil AR Eco MW - B/O 63.85
★ Hydra Gloves Emerald FT- B/O 60.33
★ Driver Gloves Racing Green FT- B/O 57.31
AK-47 Asiimov MW - B/O 57.06
★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar BS - B/O 56.37
★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded BS - B/O 55.97
AWP Wildfire FT - B/O 55.51
Stickers, pins, capsule, agents, souvenirs
And more…
Some prices might be outdated
My tradelink: https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffenew/?partner=102474654&token=BH1q6eSo
submitted by Ante_1997 to Csgotrading [link] [comments]
My steam profile: https://steamcommunity.com/id/darknezz_/
Everything up for a trade, some skins might not be tradable or visible yet
Buyouts are in cash (EURO), send trade offers, only trading, i'm taking cases
★ Butterfly Knife Case Hardened FN - B/O 1316.91
★ Falchion Knife Doppler (Ruby) FN - B/O 942.16
★ Talon Knife Tiger Tooth FN - B/O 607.15
★ Karambit Ultraviolet FT - B/O 581.21
AWP Lightning Strike FN - B/O 500.60
★ Driver Gloves Imperial Plaid FT - B/O 285.21
★ Sport Gloves Slingshot BS- B/O 261.85
★ StatTrak Flip Knife Case Hardened FT- B/O 239.18
★ Bayonet Ultraviolet FT - B/O 212.18
★ Skeleton Knife Scorched BS- B/O 210.51
★ Shadow Daggers Doppler (Phase 1) FN - B/O 196.39
★ Paracord Knife Crimson Web FT- B/O 171.36
★ StatTrak Bowie Knife Rust Coat WW - B/O 138.56
★ Falchion Knife Autotronic BS- B/O 136.26
★ Paracord Knife Blue Steel BS- B/O 134.78
★ Shadow Daggers Slaughter FT- B/O 127.72
★ Navaja Knife Tiger Tooth MW- B/O 123.22
★ Driver Gloves Lunar Weave FT- B/O 121.75
★ Bowie Knife Damascus Steel WW - B/O 121.62
★ Bowie Knife Freehand FT- B/O 116.17
★ StatTrak Paracord Knife Boreal Forest MW- B/O 115.01
★ StatTrak Gut Knife Crimson Web FT- B/O 114.24
★ Falchion Knife Bright Water FT- B/O 106.29
★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened FT- B/O 101.15
★ Gut Knife Damascus Steel MW- B/O 100.76
★ StatTrak Bowie Knife Urban Masked FT- B/O 96.21
★ Shadow Daggers Lore BS- B/O 89.85
P90 Emerald Dragon MW- B/O 89.28
★ Driver Gloves Rezan the Red FT- B/O 87.16
★ Bowie Knife Urban Masked FT- B/O 85.87
StatTrak AWP Electric Hive FN - B/O 84.07
★ Paracord Knife Safari Mesh MW- B/O 80.80
StatTrak M4A4 Temukau MW- B/O 76.75
StatTrak AWP Wildfire FT- B/O 76.62
★ Survival Knife Forest DDPAT BS- B/O 76.25
★ Gut Knife Safari Mesh FT- B/O 72.39
StatTrak Desert Eagle Kumicho Dragon FN - B/O 70.59
★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar FT- B/O 70.08
★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded FT- B/O 69.95
★ Navaja Knife Night Stripe FT- B/O 68.98
★ Driver Gloves Diamondback BS - B/O 67.70
★ Hand Wraps Duct Tape FT- B/O 67.32
★ Specialist Gloves Buckshot FT- B/O 67.14
StatTrak Galil AR Eco MW - B/O 63.85
★ Hydra Gloves Emerald FT- B/O 60.33
★ Driver Gloves Racing Green FT- B/O 57.31
AK-47 Asiimov MW - B/O 57.06
★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar BS - B/O 56.37
★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded BS - B/O 55.97
AWP Wildfire FT - B/O 55.51
Stickers, pins, capsule, agents, souvenirs
And more…
Some prices might be outdated
My tradelink: https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffenew/?partner=102474654&token=BH1q6eSo
2024.05.21 10:12 Ante_1997 [STORE] KNIVES, GLOVES, PLAYSKINS, 12.000€+ INVENTORY! M9 Bayonet, Stiletto, Talon, Karambit, Survival, Skeleton, Falchion, Bowie, Ursus, Shadow Daggers, Butterfly, Nomad, Classic, Paracord, Broken fang, Driver gloves, Specialist gloves, Hydra wraps, Broken Fang Gloves, AWP, AK-47, M4A1, M4A4, USP
My tradelink: https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffenew/?partner=102474654&token=BH1q6eSo
My steam profile: https://steamcommunity.com/id/darknezz_/
Everything up for a trade, some skins might not be tradable or visible yet
Buyouts are in cash (EURO), send trade offers, only trading, i'm taking cases
★ Butterfly Knife Case Hardened FN - B/O 1316.91
★ Falchion Knife Doppler (Ruby) FN - B/O 942.16
★ Talon Knife Tiger Tooth FN - B/O 607.15
★ Karambit Ultraviolet FT - B/O 581.21
AWP Lightning Strike FN - B/O 500.60
★ Driver Gloves Imperial Plaid FT - B/O 285.21
★ Sport Gloves Slingshot BS- B/O 261.85
★ StatTrak Flip Knife Case Hardened FT- B/O 239.18
★ Bayonet Ultraviolet FT - B/O 212.18
★ Skeleton Knife Scorched BS- B/O 210.51
★ Shadow Daggers Doppler (Phase 1) FN - B/O 196.39
★ Paracord Knife Crimson Web FT- B/O 171.36
★ StatTrak Bowie Knife Rust Coat WW - B/O 138.56
★ Falchion Knife Autotronic BS- B/O 136.26
★ Paracord Knife Blue Steel BS- B/O 134.78
★ Shadow Daggers Slaughter FT- B/O 127.72
★ Navaja Knife Tiger Tooth MW- B/O 123.22
★ Driver Gloves Lunar Weave FT- B/O 121.75
★ Bowie Knife Damascus Steel WW - B/O 121.62
★ Bowie Knife Freehand FT- B/O 116.17
★ StatTrak Paracord Knife Boreal Forest MW- B/O 115.01
★ StatTrak Gut Knife Crimson Web FT- B/O 114.24
★ Falchion Knife Bright Water FT- B/O 106.29
★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened FT- B/O 101.15
★ Gut Knife Damascus Steel MW- B/O 100.76
★ StatTrak Bowie Knife Urban Masked FT- B/O 96.21
★ Shadow Daggers Lore BS- B/O 89.85
P90 Emerald Dragon MW- B/O 89.28
★ Driver Gloves Rezan the Red FT- B/O 87.16
★ Bowie Knife Urban Masked FT- B/O 85.87
StatTrak AWP Electric Hive FN - B/O 84.07
★ Paracord Knife Safari Mesh MW- B/O 80.80
StatTrak M4A4 Temukau MW- B/O 76.75
StatTrak AWP Wildfire FT- B/O 76.62
★ Survival Knife Forest DDPAT BS- B/O 76.25
★ Gut Knife Safari Mesh FT- B/O 72.39
StatTrak Desert Eagle Kumicho Dragon FN - B/O 70.59
★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar FT- B/O 70.08
★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded FT- B/O 69.95
★ Navaja Knife Night Stripe FT- B/O 68.98
★ Driver Gloves Diamondback BS - B/O 67.70
★ Hand Wraps Duct Tape FT- B/O 67.32
★ Specialist Gloves Buckshot FT- B/O 67.14
StatTrak Galil AR Eco MW - B/O 63.85
★ Hydra Gloves Emerald FT- B/O 60.33
★ Driver Gloves Racing Green FT- B/O 57.31
AK-47 Asiimov MW - B/O 57.06
★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar BS - B/O 56.37
★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded BS - B/O 55.97
AWP Wildfire FT - B/O 55.51
Stickers, pins, capsule, agents, souvenirs
And more…
Some prices might be outdated
My tradelink: https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffenew/?partner=102474654&token=BH1q6eSo
submitted by Ante_1997 to GlobalOffensiveTrade [link] [comments]
My steam profile: https://steamcommunity.com/id/darknezz_/
Everything up for a trade, some skins might not be tradable or visible yet
Buyouts are in cash (EURO), send trade offers, only trading, i'm taking cases
★ Butterfly Knife Case Hardened FN - B/O 1316.91
★ Falchion Knife Doppler (Ruby) FN - B/O 942.16
★ Talon Knife Tiger Tooth FN - B/O 607.15
★ Karambit Ultraviolet FT - B/O 581.21
AWP Lightning Strike FN - B/O 500.60
★ Driver Gloves Imperial Plaid FT - B/O 285.21
★ Sport Gloves Slingshot BS- B/O 261.85
★ StatTrak Flip Knife Case Hardened FT- B/O 239.18
★ Bayonet Ultraviolet FT - B/O 212.18
★ Skeleton Knife Scorched BS- B/O 210.51
★ Shadow Daggers Doppler (Phase 1) FN - B/O 196.39
★ Paracord Knife Crimson Web FT- B/O 171.36
★ StatTrak Bowie Knife Rust Coat WW - B/O 138.56
★ Falchion Knife Autotronic BS- B/O 136.26
★ Paracord Knife Blue Steel BS- B/O 134.78
★ Shadow Daggers Slaughter FT- B/O 127.72
★ Navaja Knife Tiger Tooth MW- B/O 123.22
★ Driver Gloves Lunar Weave FT- B/O 121.75
★ Bowie Knife Damascus Steel WW - B/O 121.62
★ Bowie Knife Freehand FT- B/O 116.17
★ StatTrak Paracord Knife Boreal Forest MW- B/O 115.01
★ StatTrak Gut Knife Crimson Web FT- B/O 114.24
★ Falchion Knife Bright Water FT- B/O 106.29
★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened FT- B/O 101.15
★ Gut Knife Damascus Steel MW- B/O 100.76
★ StatTrak Bowie Knife Urban Masked FT- B/O 96.21
★ Shadow Daggers Lore BS- B/O 89.85
P90 Emerald Dragon MW- B/O 89.28
★ Driver Gloves Rezan the Red FT- B/O 87.16
★ Bowie Knife Urban Masked FT- B/O 85.87
StatTrak AWP Electric Hive FN - B/O 84.07
★ Paracord Knife Safari Mesh MW- B/O 80.80
StatTrak M4A4 Temukau MW- B/O 76.75
StatTrak AWP Wildfire FT- B/O 76.62
★ Survival Knife Forest DDPAT BS- B/O 76.25
★ Gut Knife Safari Mesh FT- B/O 72.39
StatTrak Desert Eagle Kumicho Dragon FN - B/O 70.59
★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar FT- B/O 70.08
★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded FT- B/O 69.95
★ Navaja Knife Night Stripe FT- B/O 68.98
★ Driver Gloves Diamondback BS - B/O 67.70
★ Hand Wraps Duct Tape FT- B/O 67.32
★ Specialist Gloves Buckshot FT- B/O 67.14
StatTrak Galil AR Eco MW - B/O 63.85
★ Hydra Gloves Emerald FT- B/O 60.33
★ Driver Gloves Racing Green FT- B/O 57.31
AK-47 Asiimov MW - B/O 57.06
★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar BS - B/O 56.37
★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded BS - B/O 55.97
AWP Wildfire FT - B/O 55.51
Stickers, pins, capsule, agents, souvenirs
And more…
Some prices might be outdated
My tradelink: https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffenew/?partner=102474654&token=BH1q6eSo
2024.05.21 09:51 mi555trZ [Store] 300+ KNIVES AND GLOVES e.g. Fade MW, Cobalt Skulls FT, Smoke Out MW, Finish Line MW, M9 Doppler FN P2 & UV FT & Freehand FT, Nomad Fade FN, Butterfly Black Laminate FT & Stained BS, Kukri Crimson Web MW, Karambit Night FT & Rust Coat BS, Talon Vanilla, Glock Emerald FN, UMP Fade & many more
Taking csgo skins mainly (knives, gloves, aks, m4s, awps and so on). Anything as long as offer is good
I don't update this list everyday, so I have many items which aren't listed here. Check if something interests you! Also, some of the items are on trade hold, for release date you can add me or check by yourself.
TRADE LINK: https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffenew/?partner=35769104&token=J30wyEpy
Add me to talk here: https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197996034832
Keys from these buy outs aren't TF2 keys. I don't take Hydra keys either.
Buy outs are in keys for the sake of having a buy out, I trade for skins mainly.
Gloves/wraps:
Gloves Fade MW - B/O 200 keys
Gloves Cool Mint FT - B/O 75 keys
Wraps Cobalt Skulls FT - B/O 74 keys
Gloves Smoke Out MW - B/O 60 keys
Gloves Finish Line MW - B/O 51 keys
Gloves Turtle MW - B/O 50 keys
Gloves Scarlet Shamagh WW - B/O 46 keys
Wraps Caution FT - B/O 40 keys
Wraps Overprint FT - B/O 40 keys
Gloves Black Tie FT - B/O 38 keys
Gloves Rezan MW - B/O 35 keys
Wraps Leather FT - B/O 32 keys
Gloves Lt. Commander FT - B/O 31 keys
Gloves Mogul FT - B/O 31 keys
Gloves Overtake MW - B/O 30 keys
Gloves Tiger Strike BS - B/O 28 keys
Gloves Boom FT - B/O 28 keys
Gloves Polygon WW - B/O 28 keys
Gloves Cool Mint BS - B/O 27 keys
Gloves POW WW - B/O 27 keys
Gloves Mogul WW - B/O 25 keys
Gloves Lunar Weave FT - B/O 24 keys
Gloves Diamondback FT - B/O 22 keys
Wraps Giraffe MW - B/O 22 keys
Gloves Black Tie BS - B/O 21 keys
Gloves Yellow-banded MW - B/O 20 keys
Gloves Jade FT - B/O 20 keys
Gloves 3rd Commando MW - B/O 18 keys
Gloves Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 18 keys
Gloves Rezan FT - B/O 18 keys
Gloves Blood Pressure BS - B/O 16 keys
Gloves Case Hardened BS - B/O 16 keys
Gloves Needle Point MW - B/O 16 keys
Gloves Rezan WW - B/O 16 keys
Gloves POW BS - B/O 16 keys
Wraps Desert Shamagh MW - B/O 15 keys
Gloves Boom BS - B/O 15 keys
Gloves Diamondback BS - B/O 15 keys
Wraps Arboreal FT - B/O 14 keys
Wraps Giraffe FT - B/O 14 keys
Gloves Yellow-banded FT - B/O 14 keys
Gloves Queen Jaguar FT - B/O 14 keys
Gloves Rezan BS - B/O 14 keys
Gloves Needle Point FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Guerrilla FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Buckshot FT - B/O 13 keys
Wraps Constrictor FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Transport FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Bronzed FT - B/O 13 keys
Wraps Duct Tape FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Convoy FT - B/O 13 keys
Wraps Arboreal WW - B/O 13 keys
Wraps Desert Shamagh FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Bronzed WW - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Guerrilla BS - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Mangrove MW - B/O 12 keys
Wraps Constrictor BS - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Emerald FT - B/O 12 keys
Wraps Desert Shamagh WW - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Bronzed BS - B/O 12 keys
Wraps Duct Tape WW - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Rattler FT - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Convoy WW - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Racing Green FT - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Overtake BS - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Emerald WW - B/O 11 keys
GLoves Yellow-banded BS - B/O 11 keys
Gloves Transport BS - B/O 11 keys
Gloves Racing Green BS - B/O 11 keys
Gloves Emerald BS - B/O 11 keys
Knives and high tier items:
M9 Doppler FN P2 - B/O 360 keys
Nomad Fade FN - B/O 180 keys
Butterfly Black Laminate FT - B/O 180 keys
Kukri Crimson Web MW - B/O 135 keys
Butterfly Rust Coat BS - B/O 130 keys
Butterfly Stained BS - B/O 125 keys
Karambit Night FT - B/O 110 keys
Flip Doppler FN P2 - B/O 110 keys
Karambit Rust Coat BS - B/O 106 keys
M9 Freehand FT - B/O 100 keys
Nomad Slaughter FN - B/O 100 keys
Huntsman Gamma Doppler FN P2 - B/O 96 keys
M9 Ultraviolet FT - B/O 95 keys
Karambit Scorched FT - B/O 93 keys
Karambit Safari Mesh MW - B/O 90 keys
Huntsman Doppler FN P4 - B/O 87 keys
Talon Vanilla - B/O 87 keys
M9 Urban Masked BS - B/O 85 keys
UMP Fade FN - B/O 80 keys
M9 Urban Masked FT - B/O 80 keys
M9 Boreal Forest FT - B/O 78 keys
Bayonet Case Hardened MW - B/O 78 keys
Talon Damascus Steel MW - B/O 75 keys
M9 Safari Mesh FT - B/O 75 keys
Flip Slaughter FT - B/O 68 keys
Huntsman Marble Fade FN - B/O 63 keys
Talon Ultraviolet FT - B/O 61 keys
Flip Autotronic MW - B/O 60 keys
Classic Vanilla - B/O 56 keys
Talon Night FT - B/O 52 keys
Bowie Marble Fade FN - B/O 52 keys
Gut Gamma Doppler FN P2 - B/O 51 keys
Talon Night BS - B/O 49 keys
Stiletto Damascus Steel WW - B/O 48 keys
Talon Urban Masked FT - B/O 47 keys
Bayonet Bright Water FT - B/O 47 keys
Survival Slaughter FT ST - B/O 45 keys
Talon Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 45 keys
Talon Boreal FT - B/O 45 keys
Huntsman Autotronic MW - B/O 45 keys
Gut Fade MW - B/O 44 keys
Flip Case Hardened FT - B/O 43 keys
Flip Damascus Steel FN - B/O 42 keys
Gut Fade FN - B/O 41 keys
Gut Lore FN - B/O 41 keys
Bowie Case Hardened FT - B/O 41 keys
Ursus Case Hardened FT - B/O 39 keys
Huntsman Case Hardened WW - B/O 38 keys
Classic Blue Steel BS - B/O 38 keys
Kukri Forest Ddpat BS - B/O 38 keys
Bowie Case Hardened BS - B/O 36 keys
Navaja Doppler FN - B/O 36 keys
Bayonet Urban Masked WW - B/O 36 keys
Daggers Gamma Doppler FN P3 - B/O 35 keys
Bayonet Scorched BS - B/O 35 keys
Flip Bright Water FT - B/O 35 keys
Huntsman Blue Steel FT - B/O 35 keys
Nomad Night FT - B/O 35 keys
Gut Marble Fade FN - B/O 34 keys
Paracord Crimson Web FT - B/O 34 keys
Flip Ultraviolet WW - B/O 33 keys
Flip Night FT - B/O 33 keys
Gut Lore MW - B/O 33 keys
Nomad Scorched MW - B/O 33 keys
Survival Case Hardened FT - B/O 33 keys
Stiletto Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 32 keys
Huntsman Crimson Web FT - B/O 31 keys
Classic Stained FT - B/O 31 keys
Stiletto Safari Mesh FT - B/O 31 keys
Flip Urban Masked MW - B/O 29 keys
Falchion Crimson Web FT - B/O 29 keys
Daggers Marble Fade FN - B/O 29 keys
Classic Night MW - B/O 29 keys
Flip Rust Coat BS - B/O 29 keys
Gut Case Hardened MW - B/O 29 keys
Bowie Crimson Web WW - B/O 29 keys
Survival Case Hardened WW - B/O 28 keys
Classic Stained WW - B/O 28 keys
Navaja Vanilla - B/O 27 keys
Navaja Tiger Tooth FN ST - B/O 26 keys
Nomad Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 26 keys
Gut Freehand BS - B/O 25 keys
Flip Boreal FT - B/O 25 keys
Huntsman Lore BS - B/O 25 keys
Navaja Case Hardened FT - B/O 25 keys
Huntsman Black Laminate FT - B/O 25 keys
Falchion Freehand FT - B/O 24 keys
Nomad Safari Mesh FT - B/O 24 keys
Classic Urban Masked FT - B/O 24 keys
Navaja Tiger Tooth FN - B/O 24 keys
Nomad Safari Mesh WW - B/O 23 keys
Gut Vanilla - B/O 23 keys
Huntsman Freehand FT - B/O 23 keys
Bowie Bright Water FN - B/O 22 keys
Daggers Case Hardened FT - B/O 22 keys
Huntsman Forest Ddpat MW - B/o 22 keys
Gut Lore BS - B/O 22 keys
Classic Urban Masked BS - B/O 22 keys
Ursus Rust Coat BS ST - B/O 22 keys
Classic Scorched BS - B/O 22 keys
Ursus Rust Coat BS - B/O 21 keys
Survival Stained FT - B/O 21 keys
Huntsman Ultraviolet WW - B/O 21 keys
Paracord Stained FT - B/O 21 keys
Gut Freehand FN - B/O 21 keys
Huntsman Ultraviolet FT - B/O 21 keys
Falchion Safari Mesh MW ST - B/o 21 keys
Huntsman Bright Water FT - B/O 21 keys
Huntsman Ultraviolet BS - B/O 21 keys
Navaja Case Hardened WW - B/O 21 keys
Ursus Scorched MW - B/O 21 keys
Falchion Bright Water FT - B/O 21 keys
Gut Blue Steel MW - B/O 20 keys
Huntsman Bright Water BS - B/O 20 keys
Bowie Ultraviolet FT - B/O 20 keys
Huntsman Rust Coat BS - B/O 19 keys
Ursus Forest Ddpat FT - B/o 19 keys
Bowie Bright Water FT - B/O 19 keys
Ursus Scorched WW - B/o 19 keys
Ursus Scorched FT - B/O 19 keys
Daggers Freehand FN - B/O 19 keys
Bowie Black Laminate WW - B/O 19 keys
Huntsman Boreal FT - B/O 18 keys
Huntsman Safari Mesh BS - B/O 18 keys
Falchion Forest Ddpat MW - B/O 18 kes
Bowie Forest Ddpat MW - B/O 18 keys
Bowie Night BS - B/O 18 keys
Gut Black Laminate FT - B/O 18 keys
Daggers Lore WW - B/O 18 keys
Falchion Night BS - B/O 18 keys
Daggers Lore BS - B/O 18 keys
Survival Night FT - B/o 18 keys
Ursus Safari Mesh BS ST - B/O 18 keys
Gut Damascus Steel WW - B/O 18 keys
Ursus Safari Mesh WW - B/O 18 keys
Ursus Boreal BS - B/O 17 keys
Bowie Forest Ddpat WW - B/o 17 keys
Falchion Boreal FT - B/o 17 keys
Bowie Safari Mesh FT ST - B/O 17 keys
Falchion Urban Masked BS - B/O 17 keys
Navaja Damascus Steel FN - B/O 17 keys
Gut Bright Water FT - B/O 17 keys
Gut Ultraviolet FT - B/O 17 keys
Navaja Blue Steel MW - B/O 16 keys
Gut Stained BS - B/O 16 keys
Daggers Autotronic BS - B/O 16 keys
Daggers Damascus Steel MW - B/O 16 keys
Gut Bright Water BS - B/O 16 keys
Bowie Safari Mesh FT - B/O 16 keys
Navaja Damascus Steel MW - B/O 16 keys
Daggers Freehand FT - B/O 16 keys
Paracord Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 16 keys
Navaja Blue Steel BS - B/O 16 keys
Navaja Night BS ST - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Blue Steel FT - B/O 15 keys
Gut Boreal MW - B/O 15 keys
Survival Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 15 keys
Survival Boreal FT - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Rust Coat WW - B/O 15 keys
Paracord Safari Mesh FT - B/O 15 keys
Gut Night FT - B/O 15 keys
Paracord Safari Mesh WW - B/O 15 keys
Survival Safari Mesh WW - B/O 15 keys
Gut Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 15 keys
Survival Boreal BS - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Damascus Steel WW - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Damascus Steel FT - B/O 15 keys
Daggers Boreal WW - B/O 15 keys
Gut Urban Masked FT - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Night FT ST - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Night MW - B/O 15 keys
Daggers Urban Masked WW - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Scorched WW - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Black Laminate MW - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Ultraviolet FT - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Bright Water MW - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Ultraviolet BS - B/O 14 keys
Gut Safari Mesh FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Scorched MW - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Stained WW - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Boreal MW - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Bright Water FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Scorched FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Urban Masked FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Night FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Ultraviolet BS - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Forest Ddpat WW - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Boreal WW - B/O 13 keys
Daggers Urban Masked BS - B/O 13 keys
Daggers Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 13 keys
Navaja Night BS - B/O 13 keys
submitted by mi555trZ to GlobalOffensiveTrade [link] [comments]
I don't update this list everyday, so I have many items which aren't listed here. Check if something interests you! Also, some of the items are on trade hold, for release date you can add me or check by yourself.
TRADE LINK: https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffenew/?partner=35769104&token=J30wyEpy
Add me to talk here: https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197996034832
Keys from these buy outs aren't TF2 keys. I don't take Hydra keys either.
Buy outs are in keys for the sake of having a buy out, I trade for skins mainly.
Gloves/wraps:
Gloves Fade MW - B/O 200 keys
Gloves Cool Mint FT - B/O 75 keys
Wraps Cobalt Skulls FT - B/O 74 keys
Gloves Smoke Out MW - B/O 60 keys
Gloves Finish Line MW - B/O 51 keys
Gloves Turtle MW - B/O 50 keys
Gloves Scarlet Shamagh WW - B/O 46 keys
Wraps Caution FT - B/O 40 keys
Wraps Overprint FT - B/O 40 keys
Gloves Black Tie FT - B/O 38 keys
Gloves Rezan MW - B/O 35 keys
Wraps Leather FT - B/O 32 keys
Gloves Lt. Commander FT - B/O 31 keys
Gloves Mogul FT - B/O 31 keys
Gloves Overtake MW - B/O 30 keys
Gloves Tiger Strike BS - B/O 28 keys
Gloves Boom FT - B/O 28 keys
Gloves Polygon WW - B/O 28 keys
Gloves Cool Mint BS - B/O 27 keys
Gloves POW WW - B/O 27 keys
Gloves Mogul WW - B/O 25 keys
Gloves Lunar Weave FT - B/O 24 keys
Gloves Diamondback FT - B/O 22 keys
Wraps Giraffe MW - B/O 22 keys
Gloves Black Tie BS - B/O 21 keys
Gloves Yellow-banded MW - B/O 20 keys
Gloves Jade FT - B/O 20 keys
Gloves 3rd Commando MW - B/O 18 keys
Gloves Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 18 keys
Gloves Rezan FT - B/O 18 keys
Gloves Blood Pressure BS - B/O 16 keys
Gloves Case Hardened BS - B/O 16 keys
Gloves Needle Point MW - B/O 16 keys
Gloves Rezan WW - B/O 16 keys
Gloves POW BS - B/O 16 keys
Wraps Desert Shamagh MW - B/O 15 keys
Gloves Boom BS - B/O 15 keys
Gloves Diamondback BS - B/O 15 keys
Wraps Arboreal FT - B/O 14 keys
Wraps Giraffe FT - B/O 14 keys
Gloves Yellow-banded FT - B/O 14 keys
Gloves Queen Jaguar FT - B/O 14 keys
Gloves Rezan BS - B/O 14 keys
Gloves Needle Point FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Guerrilla FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Buckshot FT - B/O 13 keys
Wraps Constrictor FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Transport FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Bronzed FT - B/O 13 keys
Wraps Duct Tape FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Convoy FT - B/O 13 keys
Wraps Arboreal WW - B/O 13 keys
Wraps Desert Shamagh FT - B/O 13 keys
Gloves Bronzed WW - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Guerrilla BS - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Mangrove MW - B/O 12 keys
Wraps Constrictor BS - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Emerald FT - B/O 12 keys
Wraps Desert Shamagh WW - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Bronzed BS - B/O 12 keys
Wraps Duct Tape WW - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Rattler FT - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Convoy WW - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Racing Green FT - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Overtake BS - B/O 12 keys
Gloves Emerald WW - B/O 11 keys
GLoves Yellow-banded BS - B/O 11 keys
Gloves Transport BS - B/O 11 keys
Gloves Racing Green BS - B/O 11 keys
Gloves Emerald BS - B/O 11 keys
Knives and high tier items:
M9 Doppler FN P2 - B/O 360 keys
Nomad Fade FN - B/O 180 keys
Butterfly Black Laminate FT - B/O 180 keys
Kukri Crimson Web MW - B/O 135 keys
Butterfly Rust Coat BS - B/O 130 keys
Butterfly Stained BS - B/O 125 keys
Karambit Night FT - B/O 110 keys
Flip Doppler FN P2 - B/O 110 keys
Karambit Rust Coat BS - B/O 106 keys
M9 Freehand FT - B/O 100 keys
Nomad Slaughter FN - B/O 100 keys
Huntsman Gamma Doppler FN P2 - B/O 96 keys
M9 Ultraviolet FT - B/O 95 keys
Karambit Scorched FT - B/O 93 keys
Karambit Safari Mesh MW - B/O 90 keys
Huntsman Doppler FN P4 - B/O 87 keys
Talon Vanilla - B/O 87 keys
M9 Urban Masked BS - B/O 85 keys
UMP Fade FN - B/O 80 keys
M9 Urban Masked FT - B/O 80 keys
M9 Boreal Forest FT - B/O 78 keys
Bayonet Case Hardened MW - B/O 78 keys
Talon Damascus Steel MW - B/O 75 keys
M9 Safari Mesh FT - B/O 75 keys
Flip Slaughter FT - B/O 68 keys
Huntsman Marble Fade FN - B/O 63 keys
Talon Ultraviolet FT - B/O 61 keys
Flip Autotronic MW - B/O 60 keys
Classic Vanilla - B/O 56 keys
Talon Night FT - B/O 52 keys
Bowie Marble Fade FN - B/O 52 keys
Gut Gamma Doppler FN P2 - B/O 51 keys
Talon Night BS - B/O 49 keys
Stiletto Damascus Steel WW - B/O 48 keys
Talon Urban Masked FT - B/O 47 keys
Bayonet Bright Water FT - B/O 47 keys
Survival Slaughter FT ST - B/O 45 keys
Talon Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 45 keys
Talon Boreal FT - B/O 45 keys
Huntsman Autotronic MW - B/O 45 keys
Gut Fade MW - B/O 44 keys
Flip Case Hardened FT - B/O 43 keys
Flip Damascus Steel FN - B/O 42 keys
Gut Fade FN - B/O 41 keys
Gut Lore FN - B/O 41 keys
Bowie Case Hardened FT - B/O 41 keys
Ursus Case Hardened FT - B/O 39 keys
Huntsman Case Hardened WW - B/O 38 keys
Classic Blue Steel BS - B/O 38 keys
Kukri Forest Ddpat BS - B/O 38 keys
Bowie Case Hardened BS - B/O 36 keys
Navaja Doppler FN - B/O 36 keys
Bayonet Urban Masked WW - B/O 36 keys
Daggers Gamma Doppler FN P3 - B/O 35 keys
Bayonet Scorched BS - B/O 35 keys
Flip Bright Water FT - B/O 35 keys
Huntsman Blue Steel FT - B/O 35 keys
Nomad Night FT - B/O 35 keys
Gut Marble Fade FN - B/O 34 keys
Paracord Crimson Web FT - B/O 34 keys
Flip Ultraviolet WW - B/O 33 keys
Flip Night FT - B/O 33 keys
Gut Lore MW - B/O 33 keys
Nomad Scorched MW - B/O 33 keys
Survival Case Hardened FT - B/O 33 keys
Stiletto Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 32 keys
Huntsman Crimson Web FT - B/O 31 keys
Classic Stained FT - B/O 31 keys
Stiletto Safari Mesh FT - B/O 31 keys
Flip Urban Masked MW - B/O 29 keys
Falchion Crimson Web FT - B/O 29 keys
Daggers Marble Fade FN - B/O 29 keys
Classic Night MW - B/O 29 keys
Flip Rust Coat BS - B/O 29 keys
Gut Case Hardened MW - B/O 29 keys
Bowie Crimson Web WW - B/O 29 keys
Survival Case Hardened WW - B/O 28 keys
Classic Stained WW - B/O 28 keys
Navaja Vanilla - B/O 27 keys
Navaja Tiger Tooth FN ST - B/O 26 keys
Nomad Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 26 keys
Gut Freehand BS - B/O 25 keys
Flip Boreal FT - B/O 25 keys
Huntsman Lore BS - B/O 25 keys
Navaja Case Hardened FT - B/O 25 keys
Huntsman Black Laminate FT - B/O 25 keys
Falchion Freehand FT - B/O 24 keys
Nomad Safari Mesh FT - B/O 24 keys
Classic Urban Masked FT - B/O 24 keys
Navaja Tiger Tooth FN - B/O 24 keys
Nomad Safari Mesh WW - B/O 23 keys
Gut Vanilla - B/O 23 keys
Huntsman Freehand FT - B/O 23 keys
Bowie Bright Water FN - B/O 22 keys
Daggers Case Hardened FT - B/O 22 keys
Huntsman Forest Ddpat MW - B/o 22 keys
Gut Lore BS - B/O 22 keys
Classic Urban Masked BS - B/O 22 keys
Ursus Rust Coat BS ST - B/O 22 keys
Classic Scorched BS - B/O 22 keys
Ursus Rust Coat BS - B/O 21 keys
Survival Stained FT - B/O 21 keys
Huntsman Ultraviolet WW - B/O 21 keys
Paracord Stained FT - B/O 21 keys
Gut Freehand FN - B/O 21 keys
Huntsman Ultraviolet FT - B/O 21 keys
Falchion Safari Mesh MW ST - B/o 21 keys
Huntsman Bright Water FT - B/O 21 keys
Huntsman Ultraviolet BS - B/O 21 keys
Navaja Case Hardened WW - B/O 21 keys
Ursus Scorched MW - B/O 21 keys
Falchion Bright Water FT - B/O 21 keys
Gut Blue Steel MW - B/O 20 keys
Huntsman Bright Water BS - B/O 20 keys
Bowie Ultraviolet FT - B/O 20 keys
Huntsman Rust Coat BS - B/O 19 keys
Ursus Forest Ddpat FT - B/o 19 keys
Bowie Bright Water FT - B/O 19 keys
Ursus Scorched WW - B/o 19 keys
Ursus Scorched FT - B/O 19 keys
Daggers Freehand FN - B/O 19 keys
Bowie Black Laminate WW - B/O 19 keys
Huntsman Boreal FT - B/O 18 keys
Huntsman Safari Mesh BS - B/O 18 keys
Falchion Forest Ddpat MW - B/O 18 kes
Bowie Forest Ddpat MW - B/O 18 keys
Bowie Night BS - B/O 18 keys
Gut Black Laminate FT - B/O 18 keys
Daggers Lore WW - B/O 18 keys
Falchion Night BS - B/O 18 keys
Daggers Lore BS - B/O 18 keys
Survival Night FT - B/o 18 keys
Ursus Safari Mesh BS ST - B/O 18 keys
Gut Damascus Steel WW - B/O 18 keys
Ursus Safari Mesh WW - B/O 18 keys
Ursus Boreal BS - B/O 17 keys
Bowie Forest Ddpat WW - B/o 17 keys
Falchion Boreal FT - B/o 17 keys
Bowie Safari Mesh FT ST - B/O 17 keys
Falchion Urban Masked BS - B/O 17 keys
Navaja Damascus Steel FN - B/O 17 keys
Gut Bright Water FT - B/O 17 keys
Gut Ultraviolet FT - B/O 17 keys
Navaja Blue Steel MW - B/O 16 keys
Gut Stained BS - B/O 16 keys
Daggers Autotronic BS - B/O 16 keys
Daggers Damascus Steel MW - B/O 16 keys
Gut Bright Water BS - B/O 16 keys
Bowie Safari Mesh FT - B/O 16 keys
Navaja Damascus Steel MW - B/O 16 keys
Daggers Freehand FT - B/O 16 keys
Paracord Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 16 keys
Navaja Blue Steel BS - B/O 16 keys
Navaja Night BS ST - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Blue Steel FT - B/O 15 keys
Gut Boreal MW - B/O 15 keys
Survival Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 15 keys
Survival Boreal FT - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Rust Coat WW - B/O 15 keys
Paracord Safari Mesh FT - B/O 15 keys
Gut Night FT - B/O 15 keys
Paracord Safari Mesh WW - B/O 15 keys
Survival Safari Mesh WW - B/O 15 keys
Gut Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 15 keys
Survival Boreal BS - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Damascus Steel WW - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Damascus Steel FT - B/O 15 keys
Daggers Boreal WW - B/O 15 keys
Gut Urban Masked FT - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Night FT ST - B/O 15 keys
Navaja Night MW - B/O 15 keys
Daggers Urban Masked WW - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Scorched WW - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Black Laminate MW - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Ultraviolet FT - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Bright Water MW - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Ultraviolet BS - B/O 14 keys
Gut Safari Mesh FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Scorched MW - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Stained WW - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Boreal MW - B/O 14 keys
Daggers Bright Water FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Scorched FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Urban Masked FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Night FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Ultraviolet BS - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Forest Ddpat WW - B/O 14 keys
Navaja Boreal WW - B/O 13 keys
Daggers Urban Masked BS - B/O 13 keys
Daggers Forest Ddpat FT - B/O 13 keys
Navaja Night BS - B/O 13 keys
2024.05.21 09:49 TheThrowAway7331 New ideas for weapons/stratagems?
Here are some I just thought up that might be neat.
Overdrive. (A self targeting grenade that gives you a damage boost but also a health drain for a limited time.)
Healing grenade. (Something similar to the thermite grenade, but does healing over time to allies/enemies.)
Throwing axes. (Grenades that are thrown hatchets which can be recovered afterwards.)
Radio pack. (Backpack that decreases stratagem call in time/provides extra call ins.)
Distraction beacon. (A tower call in that draws enemy patrols towards it after a set time.)
Rover assistant. (An unarmed rover that interacts with ammo boxes, objectives, and vault doors automatically.)
Spotter rover. (A rover that spots mission objectives + high priority enemies and marks them on your map automatically.)
Healing rover. (An unarmed rover that heals allies.)
submitted by TheThrowAway7331 to Helldivers [link] [comments]
- - - Primary/Secondary - - -
- Automatic Plasma Rifle
- Automatic Laser Pistol (similar to the sickle.)
- Lever action rifle.
- Bolt action rifle.
- Short barreled shotgun (Can be used one handed)
- Automatic arc rifle (Lower damage automatic version of the Blitzer)
- Compound Bow the fires grenade-like projectiles (A beefier version of the crossbow pretty much.)
- Dual wield secondary weapons like the Senator, Redeemer, or Verdict.
- Laser sniper rifle. (Like a smaller version of the Quasar with a long range scope)
- Compact liberator. (Shorter liberator that is one-handed with a much higher recoil)
- Metalstorm rifle. (A rifle based on Metalstorm technology. Basically a weapon with an insane fire rate that depletes a whole magazine per shot but does a butt load of damage.)
- Ballistic shield weapons. (Think of Blackbeard's rifle from Rainbow 6 Siege)
- Incendiary punisher.
- Small melee weapons. (A new weapon slot that would just replace your melee animations)
- Large melee weapons. (Primary replacing heavy melee weapons like great words or hammers.)
- Fully automatic crossbow. (No explosive damage, but high armor pen + silent.)
- Non-explosive compound bow. (No explosive damage, high pen + silent.)
- - - Stratagems - - -
- Heavy Anti-Material Rifle. (Bolt action AMR with less ammo and more damage/pen.)
- Double stalwart. (Two stalwarts meshed side by side with a long and stationary reload.)
- Plasma Thrower. (A higher damage, shorter range flame thrower possibly with armor pen?)
- Mortar tube. (A mortar tube that you have to be stationary to fire and can be team reloaded.)
- Armor piercing rocket launcher. (The airburst with a different warhead pretty much.)
- Plasma LMG. (Something similar to an automatic purifier with less damage and a smaller AOE.)
- Laser LMG. (The Sickle's bigger, angrier cousin.)
- Flag of Super Earth. (A melee weapon call in that has an AOE damage buff or healing buff for allies.)
- Stealth pack. (A backpack that gives you stalker-like invisibility for a limited time.)
- Laser strafing runs. (Eagle call in that does not need to be rearmed.)
- Medic Pack. (A medical pack that other players can heal from with the Medic armor perk stim effects.)
- Active Protection Turret. (A turret that intercepts incoming missiles/bile lobs.)
- Plasma strafing runs. (Single use high damage strafing runs for the eagle.)
- Toxin tower. (Toxin cloud emitting version of the tesla tower.)
- Incendiary mortar. (A mortar with incendiary projectiles.)
- Toxin mortar. (A mortar with toxic cloud projectiles.)
- Quad Quasar turret emplacement. (Quasar version of the HMG Emplacement.)
- EMP mines. (Mines that stun enemies that pass through them.)
- Healing tower. (Tower call ins that do AOE healing for allies and enemies.)
- Grenade turret. (Tower call in that fires grenade launcher rounds.)
- Arc Cannon. (The arc version of the Quasar.)
- Flame thrower rover. (A team killing device to surpass metal gear.)
- Breaker rover. (A rover with a breaker spray and pray.)
- Heavy flame thrower. (A higher capacity longer range flame thrower that has less ammo.)
- Plasma Cannon. (The plasma version of the Quasar.)
- Metalstorm Launcher. (A launcher based on the metalstorm weapon system. Basically a lower damage fully automatic recoiless rifle with only 1 or 2 reloads.)
- Incendiary Launcher. (A launcher tube or grenade launcher that fires high-damage, long-lasting incendiary projectiles.)
- Surveillance rover. (High flying rover that paints enemy targets near you so that they can be seen through walls.)
- Sniper rover. (A rover with a diligence sniper and longer range.)
- Target designator. (Marks a target allowing allies to do more damage to it.)
- Scout craft. (A small Halo Wasp-like aircraft limited ammo and low health.)
- Quad bike. (The ground version of the scout craft with the ability to carry a passenger.)
- Plasma Strike. (The orbital version of the 500kg bomb.)
- - - Bonus ideas - - -
Overdrive. (A self targeting grenade that gives you a damage boost but also a health drain for a limited time.)
Healing grenade. (Something similar to the thermite grenade, but does healing over time to allies/enemies.)
Throwing axes. (Grenades that are thrown hatchets which can be recovered afterwards.)
Radio pack. (Backpack that decreases stratagem call in time/provides extra call ins.)
Distraction beacon. (A tower call in that draws enemy patrols towards it after a set time.)
Rover assistant. (An unarmed rover that interacts with ammo boxes, objectives, and vault doors automatically.)
Spotter rover. (A rover that spots mission objectives + high priority enemies and marks them on your map automatically.)
Healing rover. (An unarmed rover that heals allies.)
2024.05.21 09:07 chjeran How to make my PS2 NOT look like an Uber?
Alright this is a half rant half advice-seeking post.
In my country (Australia) there’s a leasing company called Splend that purchased a ton of MY21-23 Polestar 2s (99% without plus pack) and lease them to Uber drivers.
I drive a MY22 PS2 Plus+Pilot thunder model, which looks incredibly alike with the PS2 Ubers as a result. The only 2 visual differences between mine and the Splend PS2 are 1) mine got a sunroof 2) my plate does not start with “SPL”.
So honestly, other than giving the car a wrap or some crazy decoration/mod, is there any way or any visual improvements/decorations/alterations i can do to my PS2 please?
I know it’s childish to ask because at the end of the day it is what it is, but i still want to give it a shot if there are good ideas!! Thanks bros and sis!!
submitted by chjeran to Polestar [link] [comments]
In my country (Australia) there’s a leasing company called Splend that purchased a ton of MY21-23 Polestar 2s (99% without plus pack) and lease them to Uber drivers.
I drive a MY22 PS2 Plus+Pilot thunder model, which looks incredibly alike with the PS2 Ubers as a result. The only 2 visual differences between mine and the Splend PS2 are 1) mine got a sunroof 2) my plate does not start with “SPL”.
So honestly, other than giving the car a wrap or some crazy decoration/mod, is there any way or any visual improvements/decorations/alterations i can do to my PS2 please?
I know it’s childish to ask because at the end of the day it is what it is, but i still want to give it a shot if there are good ideas!! Thanks bros and sis!!
2024.05.21 08:58 Commercial_Injury411 Looking for enthusiastic partners! :)
Hello everyone,
I am an author and a creative writer that has 5 years of roleplaying experience. I have done multiple genres, ranging from medieval monarchy to slice of life, worked with different character dynamics and built a fully-fledged lore. I am looking for an individual that has an experience in building a potent storyline and is able to write multi-dimensional characters.
That aside, I would like to introduce my preferences so you can deduce whether or not we may be compatible.
I prefer roleplaying in a medieval/steampunk type of setting. Anything futuristic is not on the table for me. If the plot is absolutely off the charts, there is some room for negotiation, though it is pretty unlikely.
Romance is a must as a subplot: I had a pretty bad experience with an individual that threw the entire lore away by hyperfixating on scenes between 2 love interests. Y'know, I too giggle and kick my feet at the scenes of our characters doing something minutely romantic, but a storyline is a storyline and good things must be built up over time.
Playing more than one character: If you want a well-branched out story, with multiple character arcs, fleshed-out lore and refreshing dynamics, you have to play more than one character. This includes NPCs (characters that are used for a scene or two) and side characters (characters that have their own separate arcs and involvement in the story).
Communication: OOC chat is preferred for plot and scene discussions. I also love talking with my partner about random things, but if you want to keep it writing-only, it is not a problem for me in the slightest. Also, please do not ghost. It is not cool, especially if we had a nice story progression.
Enthusiasm: I get attached to the characters and hyperfixate on the storyline pretty easily. Writing is my passion, so it is not a surprise to me. If writing is just an idle hobby that you come back to every now and then, please do NOT message me. Our energy levels must match.
Grammar, punctuation and coherent use of language is a must.
Aside from all this, I have some prompts that were burning on the back of my head for quite a while. Most of them range from medieval monarchy, vampire-esque low fantasy and psychological horror. Feel free to offer some of your own ideas, and we can discuss and perhaps mesh our ideas together to come up with something magnificent.
Thank you for your time, have a good day.
submitted by Commercial_Injury411 to Roleplay [link] [comments]
I am an author and a creative writer that has 5 years of roleplaying experience. I have done multiple genres, ranging from medieval monarchy to slice of life, worked with different character dynamics and built a fully-fledged lore. I am looking for an individual that has an experience in building a potent storyline and is able to write multi-dimensional characters.
That aside, I would like to introduce my preferences so you can deduce whether or not we may be compatible.
I prefer roleplaying in a medieval/steampunk type of setting. Anything futuristic is not on the table for me. If the plot is absolutely off the charts, there is some room for negotiation, though it is pretty unlikely.
Romance is a must as a subplot: I had a pretty bad experience with an individual that threw the entire lore away by hyperfixating on scenes between 2 love interests. Y'know, I too giggle and kick my feet at the scenes of our characters doing something minutely romantic, but a storyline is a storyline and good things must be built up over time.
Playing more than one character: If you want a well-branched out story, with multiple character arcs, fleshed-out lore and refreshing dynamics, you have to play more than one character. This includes NPCs (characters that are used for a scene or two) and side characters (characters that have their own separate arcs and involvement in the story).
Communication: OOC chat is preferred for plot and scene discussions. I also love talking with my partner about random things, but if you want to keep it writing-only, it is not a problem for me in the slightest. Also, please do not ghost. It is not cool, especially if we had a nice story progression.
Enthusiasm: I get attached to the characters and hyperfixate on the storyline pretty easily. Writing is my passion, so it is not a surprise to me. If writing is just an idle hobby that you come back to every now and then, please do NOT message me. Our energy levels must match.
Grammar, punctuation and coherent use of language is a must.
Aside from all this, I have some prompts that were burning on the back of my head for quite a while. Most of them range from medieval monarchy, vampire-esque low fantasy and psychological horror. Feel free to offer some of your own ideas, and we can discuss and perhaps mesh our ideas together to come up with something magnificent.
Thank you for your time, have a good day.
2024.05.21 08:58 Heroman3003 Wayward Odyssey [Part 3]
This fic flows out of me way too easily, so I'm riding the waves while I can. Glad to see people enjoying it too! We continue where we left off, trying to figure out where to go, both with universe at large and with poor, lost child...
As usual, thanks to SpacePaladin15 for his own great work and letting fanfiction flow, and everyone who supported and enjoyed the fic thus far. So, let's see where this goes from now.
First - Prev - [Next]
Memory Transcription Subject: Dr. Erin Kuemper, SETI Researcher
Date [standardized human time]: July 15, 2136
Before entering the conference room, I adjusted my dress suit. Even for official meetings, I usually just prefer simpler official outfits, but this time is different. Being invited to observe the first official diplomatic meeting between humanity and aliens, I wanted to be perfect for it, even if it was meeting the baby-eating monster aliens over a video call.
Stepping inside, I see the other people that would be present for it. Normally, as a SETI researcher, I would object to the presence of any military heads at such a meeting, on purely conceptual level, much less two. But with what we have learned I can’t help but almost feel like even entire room filled with generals wouldn’t be enough for this.
“Ah, Dr. Kuemper. Come in, take a seat. We plan to start hailing them in ten minutes.” Secretary-General motions towards one of free seats, so I take the one that’s further away from both generals. As I do though, General Jones starts talking to me.
“So, Dr. Kuemper, how’s our rescue doing? Were there any further incidents?”, she asked.
“No, not yet. She still hasn’t woken up since that last sedation. While we don’t understand nearly enough about her biology yet, drawing some parallels with biology of Earth life we can infer that while her life is no longer threatened, she will likely take a while to fully recover from blood loss and malnutrition. Much bigger problem will be communicating our intentions to her, as well as regaining her trust after... everything.”
“Is it really smart to assign Noah Williams as one of her main caretakers then?” She asked, raising her eyebrow.
“From analyzing the footage of the incident, she reacted the same way to all the humans in the room. I doubt it was Williams’ specific appearance that was the source of such intense fright. And that assignment is not just for the sake of the alien, but Williams himself. Him and Rosario are both, frankly, on suicide watch right now. They need a chance to try and do something to relieve their guilt.”
To that General Jones just hummed, before turning to the screen. I could also hear General Zhao, the Chinese general, snorting in amusement. I am not sure what he found funny about this, but I’d rather not know at all.
It wasn’t a rational call, I knew it, but if there’s anyone who can project most empathy possible towards our alien rescue, it’d be Noah. I have asked Sara if she wished to participate as well, but she struggles to even look at the child without throwing up, so for her, distancing might be for the best.
“We’re beginning to hail the Arxur Dominion now.” Secretary-General announced, standing in front of the screen, facing it. “Not sure how long it will take.”
“I bet time zones get a ton more complicated on interstellar level...” General Zhao grumbled.
Afterwards, there were long twenty minutes of silence, interrupted by an occasional cough or shuffle before finally screen shifted, and displayed the aliens. It appears they also were in a private conference room, like us. In the middle, standing tallest and looking at us was none other than Chief Hunter Isif from photos the Odyssey crew took. Behind him were two more arxur. One was similar to Isif in build and stature, though not quite as tall, and the other was notably shorter and scrawnier, with lighter scale coloration. Part of me almost assumed that was a female, before I remembered that in the data dump there were no signs of easily notable sexual dimorphism among the arxur. An adolescent then, perhaps?
“Humans. I am glad you responded to our invitation. I believe an introduction is in order. I am Chief Hunter Isif of Arxur Dominion.” The alien spoke, translators working already, translating the noises unlike anything human makes into discernable speech.
“Greetings, Chief Hunter Isif. I am Secretary-General Elias Meier. I represent the United Nations, or UN for short, a governing body meant to represent combined interests of all individual nations of Earth. Before we proceed, I need to ask. Will I not be speaking to your leader, Prophet-Descendant, today?”
That was on the agenda for the meeting, if I remembered correctly. Trying to interact with arxur other than Isif. To gauge just how far this goes. Though it doesn’t seem like it’s happening, considering Isif is the one who picked up and how now he was emitting a low hiss that almost felt like it was carrying amusement.
“No. No offense meant to you, humans, but we Chief Hunters are expected to conduct all business in our sectors on our own. You technically fall within my territory. Plus, why would I give up an advantage I have over other Chief Hunters so easily? We may not ever have war against one another, but the competition is fierce, and you might just be the edge I need to curry more favor.”
I noticed General Zhao scoffing at shameless honesty in arxur’s intentions for this ‘alliance’ they proposed in the databanks. Yeah, just use us to gain more advantage over his rivals. I can’t believe Secretary-General elected to deal with them after all.
“I see. I expected that. Still, even if we were granted an audience, our answer would have remained unchanged. Sorry to disappoint, Chief Hunter, but humanity simply cannot afford a full alliance with the Dominion.” Secretary-General spoke in neutral tone, but I could sense the strain in his voice.
The arxur on the screen had his facial features harden.
“I see. You’re still unconvinced of the prey’s threat to your unprepared world. You believe you may parlay with them.”
“Quite the contrary, we’re more than convinced and have no reason to believe you’re lying. However, while an alliance with you would grant us protection... It would also drag us into the war we wish no part of. We’re... grateful to you for showing hospitality to the crew of Odyssey, and for warning us of the threat, but we will not be diving into war we have no interest fighting.”
“You will not be able to hide forever.” Isif kept insisting, seemingly almost growing agitated. “We knew of you because they did, long before us. They may believe you dead, but all it’d take is one stray vessel for you to be doomed.”
Part of me wanted to be relieved that, despite the tense tone, the negotiations so far were going exactly as planned. Another part of me wept that we were intentionally alienating and putting distance between ourselves and the aliens. And a third part of me was disgusted at the fact that we were talking to them at all.
“Trust us, Chief Hunter, we do not plan to merely sit and wait to be discovered and exterminated. We will be preparing. We simply don’t wish to enter the fight without a good reason.” Elias continued, pushing on to the next topic. “That said, just because we don’t wish for alliance, doesn’t mean we can’t mutually benefit from one another still.”
I could see that the shorter arxur behind Isif was about to speak up, but flinched when the larger one glared at them. Isif himself narrowed his eyes at Elias.
“And what benefit do you see that isn’t us joining hands in battle for survival, Elias Meier?”
I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel Secretary-General smiling at Chief Hunter.
“Trade. Your people are, by your own admission, starving. We could provide a solution. What we lack, however, is information. In this universe, we’re blind, and just sending out probes risks discovery. If you’d be willing to supply us with intel on Federation, we’d be more than glad to relieve your hunger. Maybe not the whole Dominion... But definitely all of your sector’s arxur.”
Arxur behind Isif both slightly opened their mouths, eyes widening in almost human-like expression. Even Isif seemed to be taken slightly aback, though he composed himself much quicker, glaring at his subordinates to make them collect themselves. On our end, I could see General Zhao smirking, and General Jones tapping at her chin in contemplation, while I twiddled my thumbs nervously, waiting for rug to be pulled from under us.
“You promise a lot. Producing food in such quantities with just one planet, even if it were filled with cattle, is impossible. Simply unsustainable.” Isif replied.
“We have our ways, Isif. We solved hunger once, we can do so again. Not immediately, it will take time to ramp up production, of course... But once that happens, all you need to do is name your price in how much meat you need and we will provide. And all we want in return is information to better defend ourselves.”
There was a long pause of contemplation. When looking closely, I could see something that was either agitation... or excitement among Isif’s posse, but Chief Hunter himself remained unimpressed. Eventually he did speak up.
“Don’t think I will fall for such a trick, Elias Meier. You humans are still young, still naive to the cruelty of the universe. We were once like you, and were nearly wiped out for it. I will not have it happen to the only other True Sapient in the galaxy. I will trade information. But I can already sense what the first request will be, and you will not be getting translations for Federation languages.”
That made every human in the room except Elias tense up. I almost flinched at the accusation, Jones hid her mouth behind her hand and Zhao’s smirk turned into a frown. Only Secretary-General remained unshaken. Isif, in meantime, continued speaking.
“If you prove yourself capable of helping us, and manage to provide as much sustenance as you claim you can... I will consider it. But until then, I will not be accelerating your desire to commit extinction by Federation’s hands.”
“Then, if you need to benefit from us first before putting us at risk, we can only thank you again for your concern, Chief Hunter.” Secretary-General replied. I was surprised at how collected he remained despite the arxur completely seeing through our intentions with this ‘trade deal’. “Trust us, we have no interest in getting annihilated in antimatter fire, but we are willing to work to earn your trust. We will be sending lists of information we desire. I hope that partnership can strengthen the bonds between us further.”
“Indeed. We will review and return to you the amounts of food we will require for it. Show us what you are capable of, humans. Now let’s get this over with. Conversing like that is... tiring.”
Right. Arxur are naturally solitary, according to the databank they gave us. A species of biologically predisposed introverts...
“Farewell, Chief Hunter Isif.” Meier replied curtly, before the screen dimmed and camera light disappeared. Contact was over.
I let out a deep sigh of relief, realizing I’ve been holding it in for a while now. There... was a lot to consider about what just happened. I was told footage would be saved, so we can better analyze the arxur nonverbal cues later.
Elias turned to us and put his hands on the table.
“So, that didn’t go as bad as it could have. Any thoughts?”
General Zhao was first to speak up.
“We’ll need information on Federation tactics and weaponry. We’ll have to prepare a strong l space military regardless of whether they can be talked down, but it’s much easier to convince someone not to kill you when doing so risks their own life.”
“I’m more interested in whether there is any technology that could allow us to send spy drones into Federation space without leaving obvious trail back to us.” General Jones countered. “We might not even need arxur translators if we can decode the language via our own surveillance.”
Elias turned his eyes on me expectantly. I considered everything that happened, things Isif said and ways his presumably-lieutenants reacted to conversation, things we learned from their data bank... And it dawned on me.
“They... see us the same way we have seen them before learning of their horrid acts. First contact with someone who treats you like a person, and first people in the galaxy whom you can see as friends. We sought the stars seeking to not be alone in the universe, and while their ways are repulsive to us... It’s not true the other way. This cooperation to them is much more sentimental than it is to us. They want to be able to trust us and rely on us.”
Elias smiled and nodded at my assessment.
“Thank you for your input, everyone. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Dr. Kuemper, I hope you’re ready for tomorrow’s announcement and your promotion?”
Right. Tomorrow we’re revealing that First Contact has occurred to the public. It took a lot of effort to make it presentable without triggering mass panic, and some details will be omitted. That and I’m receiving a new position in the UN related to handling alien affairs. What a joy...
“As ready as I can be.”
“Then let’s get to it. It won’t be easy, people, but our entire civilization is at stake. We need to get this right, and in a way that won’t have our descendants condemning us.”
Right. Cooperation with arxur, this trade... I didn’t like the idea of it, but I understood. We needed their help. Perhaps through this cooperation, rather than them influencing us, reverse can be made true, unlikely as it may seem. Worst part was failing to secure any translators at all. While I’m sure generals are salivating at idea of cyber-espionage against the Federation, I just wanted to be able to communicate with the rescued child, and make sure we could properly help her recover. Still... We will do our best, even without them.
Memory Transcription Subject: Stynek, Venlil Test Subject
Date [standardized human time]: July 15, 2136
Second time I woke up; the memories came to me much faster. How I was captured during the raid. How I spent months in cattle pens. How I was used as a meal for mystery predators. How they took me with them. And how I was now in their laboratory, or whatever closest thing predators have in their feral science.
Of course, my first instinct was to try and escape, but I couldn’t. I found myself actively strapped to the bed. I was panicked at first, trying to break through the restraints, but to no effect. So I let my head fall back onto surprisingly soft pillow and lay there... Awaiting my fate. But fate wasn’t coming, and I found myself getting a bit bored. So I raised my head and examined the room.
It seemed different from the room I was in before. Most of the machinery was gone, and the only big machine beside my bed wasn’t actually hooked up to me anymore. There was a large, predator-sized closet in the corner, and two big tables with seats. Of course, there was also bed itself. If not for the fact that I was slated to be butchered on this bed soon, it’d be the most comfortable place I got to lay down on since my capture. As is... It felt like cruel irony. I felt my eyes watering again. Did predators want to taunt me? Give me this sense of near-comfort as one last cruelty?
Subconsciously I tried calling out for mom, but felt my throat burn and ended up coughing instead. I think all the screaming recently wasn’t good for it, and with how dry my mouth was it didn’t help. Looking around I spotted it. A glass of water on a small stand beside the bed! Except it was completely out of reach. I tried shifting my tail under me, to try and extend towards it, but I’d need to have the bed flipped to have the chance at reaching. They probably left it like that intentionally... Letting me feel thirst, see the answer, but not be allowed to take it, all to make me suffer more.
I attempted to shift and wiggle against the restraints some more, when it hit me. It finally hit me that my leg was gone, gone for good. Even if I could somehow miraculously break those restraints... And get out of predator captivity... And make it back home to Venlil Prime... It wouldn’t be the same. I’d never live a normal life. My vision blurred with tears again. Why couldn’t they just end it... Why did... they have to make me suffer more.
Then the door opened and my heartbeat quickened. I realized just what I asked for, and looks like the universe itself wanted to give me that. Through the door stepped a figure... No longer clad in big rubbery suit. They probably realized such deception won’t work on me. But which of predators it was made my blood freeze.
It was the same one again... The dark-colored one that was there in meeting with arxur, and when I first woke up... Why was it always this one showing up over and over? Did all those predators look like that? He was wearing different outfit, maybe it was a different predator? No, it’s too similar, it must just be... assigned to me. My personal warden. Just like the pens had specific wardens assigned to them that were in charge of picking out meals.
This is it then. They must have done everything they wanted to do with me while I was unconscious and now that I was awake to feel it, were ready to finish me off. I closed my eyes, squeezing them tightly shut as the predator approached. I lost count of how many times I was anticipating death recently, but this was it... This must be it, finally, right? Universe can’t be cruel enough to do more to me, can it?
And as I waited for my demise, with held breath I lay. And lay. And waited. Until I realized that by now predator would long be within reach of my throat. I slowly opened my eyes, and blinked a few times to get the tears out. Sight of predator right beside me made me flinch, as it sat down by the bed, looking over me with its hungry, binocular eyes. I could see its mouth, lips quivering in hunger. And yet it did not lunge... Why?! Why can’t they just finish me off already? I felt so exhausted and fatigued by it all...
Predator seemed to lock its horrid eyes with my own eye. The gaze was intense, and I felt frozen. I couldn’t move, not even a muscle, as it just stared at me and I stared back. I felt a tear roll down my face, contributing more to the clump of matted fur, grown stained with so many tears. And that’s when the predator reached its hand for my head. I closed my eyes, recoiling away to the best of my ability. I... I didn’t want it... Please... Why can’t I just wake up back home, why can’t it all just be a nightmare...
I was prepared for its claw to grasp my face, to twist my neck, to scratch at me... But the only thing I felt was a small caress right under my eye, where the tear ran, wiping it off and rubbing at clumped fur, getting bits of dirt out in process. And then it was over. There was no attack. It was just more prolonging of the inevitable. It was so... tiring. I opened my eyes again, to look back at the predator. Really look back in those cruel eyes, to try and understand why the universe would have such evilness exist at all. The binocular gaze was horrible, but no amount of my instinct telling me to flee could help when I had neither the limbs nor freedom to move. So I just looked back. Into those small eyes when they suddenly blinked. And what could only be a tear rolled down the predator’s face. This made me mentally recoil.
How? Did a predator just shed a tear? But that’s... impossible. Only creatures with empathy can cry. That’s the textbook prerequisite for crying! You need to feel things to cry! Predators don’t have that! Arxur don’t have that. We learn that since before school. One of first things parents teach their kids is always the dangers of predators. But this is... Maybe it’s something in the room? Some noxious agent irritating its eyes? Then why can’t I feel it? Is it simply copying me? But why would it do that? Can you even copy something you can’t understand, like feelings? I didn’t understand. Maybe their biology was way more alien? Their skin was naked and had no fur or scales or feathers, maybe their tears are different too? I tried to find any explanation at all, any possible answer to questions swirling in my mind, but nothing made sense. It’s like this one little tear shattered everything I knew about predators. Maybe... They were different somehow? No! That can’t be it. If they were, they wouldn’t... They wouldn’t have been ones to take part in eating me! They wouldn’t deal with arxur! It’s a trick... it must be... But tears are a sign of empathy...
“W-Why...”, I asked in my confusion. My voice came out as ragged and hoarse and I was reminded of how dry my insides felt. I glanced over to the glass at the bedside, still out of reach and now with a predator near it... I stood no chance at reaching it.
Then suddenly, the predator looked over at it as well, and picked it up. I was almost about to cry at the idea that it would drink it in front of me, taunting my thirst further. But it didn’t even bring the glass close to its horrid mouth, instead moving it towards my face. Naturally, I tried pulling back from predator reach, but still restrained, I couldn’t move much. And once the glass was in front of me, predator just tilted it and... left it hovering there.
Was it... offering me a drink? Does that mean the water is poisoned? Why else would it give me some? I didn’t open my mouth, but the predator kept hovering the glass in front of me... Clear liquid inside swishing a bit with unevenness of the movements. Tantalizing... My throat felt drier just looking at it. In the end, base instinct prevailed over reason-based self-preservation. Even if it is poisoned... I was as good as dead in this den of predators, this won’t matter, and at least I’ll die not feeling as dry as a piece of old tree bark. So I let my mouth open and I raised my head as much as I could within the restraints, putting the glass’s rim into my mouth.
That first sip was probably the most heavenly water I’ve ever tasted. It was just normal water, of course, but with how dry I felt, I couldn’t get enough as I started quickly gulping it down. The predator actually helped, tilting the glass, keeping up with how quickly I emptied it. Every gulp was a relief... It was no stale water of arxur pens. It was actually fresh water! But as quickly as it started, the happiness ended, glass fully tilted and empty. I smack my mouth, gathering little bits of moisture gathered on it with my tongue, while the predator moves the glass back onto the counter.
Well, if that had poison in it, I didn’t taste any. And if it was somehow tasteless... It was worth it. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the predator and its actions, so instead I did my best to just ignore it as I savored the feeling of hydration. If I somehow live through this, unlikely though it may be, I will never scorn water again. Though I will probably still prefer some good juice over it...
The predator started moving again, removing the blanket-like sheet that was covering most of my body and reaching to where my restraints connected to the bed itself. It locked its eyes with me again, and this time it at least didn’t cry, but it did start to growl something. It was quiet and subdued, and of course I couldn’t understand any of it, but it didn’t lunge or reach for me directly and didn’t seem any different from earlier. Was it trying to say something?
Then I heard a small click. The light pressure I felt on my arms and chest from the restraints relaxed. Then the predator just tossed the restraint over me, revealing that they released me. I tested it by raising my arms slightly. Why...? Did they plan on taking me somewhere? I could try running but the feeling of lightness, of hollow emptiness where my leg used to be reminded me of how fruitless the endeavor would be, so I just kept laying in bed. The predator’s mouth curved in some wicked expression before they growled out some more of their crude words and got up.
They moved towards the exit, turning around to give me one last creepy staredown before stepping out of the room. And, unsurprisingly, I heard a soft click from the door itself. Right. I was just free to explore my new pen. But even with the freedom granted, I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. The shock of learning that a predator just shed a tear and fed me water was still too much. What is even happening?
It’s all so confusing. I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my head, hiding in the dark. I tried to desperately convince myself to not get my hopes up, to remember what those predators did to me... But somewhere I felt like maybe things here will at least be better than they were in arxur pens. At least there’s that to comfort me. That’s right, they probably just... don’t want me to die yet because they haven’t finished experimenting on me... And the tears were just... I don’t know. It makes no sense! It’s stupid!
I let out a breath and snuggled tighter into the blanket. As long as it was dark and quiet like this, I could at least pretend that I was back home... That everything makes sense... That I am just fine... That I'll be okay...
First - Prev - [Next]
submitted by Heroman3003 to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]
As usual, thanks to SpacePaladin15 for his own great work and letting fanfiction flow, and everyone who supported and enjoyed the fic thus far. So, let's see where this goes from now.
First - Prev - [Next]
Date [standardized human time]: July 15, 2136
Before entering the conference room, I adjusted my dress suit. Even for official meetings, I usually just prefer simpler official outfits, but this time is different. Being invited to observe the first official diplomatic meeting between humanity and aliens, I wanted to be perfect for it, even if it was meeting the baby-eating monster aliens over a video call.
Stepping inside, I see the other people that would be present for it. Normally, as a SETI researcher, I would object to the presence of any military heads at such a meeting, on purely conceptual level, much less two. But with what we have learned I can’t help but almost feel like even entire room filled with generals wouldn’t be enough for this.
“Ah, Dr. Kuemper. Come in, take a seat. We plan to start hailing them in ten minutes.” Secretary-General motions towards one of free seats, so I take the one that’s further away from both generals. As I do though, General Jones starts talking to me.
“So, Dr. Kuemper, how’s our rescue doing? Were there any further incidents?”, she asked.
“No, not yet. She still hasn’t woken up since that last sedation. While we don’t understand nearly enough about her biology yet, drawing some parallels with biology of Earth life we can infer that while her life is no longer threatened, she will likely take a while to fully recover from blood loss and malnutrition. Much bigger problem will be communicating our intentions to her, as well as regaining her trust after... everything.”
“Is it really smart to assign Noah Williams as one of her main caretakers then?” She asked, raising her eyebrow.
“From analyzing the footage of the incident, she reacted the same way to all the humans in the room. I doubt it was Williams’ specific appearance that was the source of such intense fright. And that assignment is not just for the sake of the alien, but Williams himself. Him and Rosario are both, frankly, on suicide watch right now. They need a chance to try and do something to relieve their guilt.”
To that General Jones just hummed, before turning to the screen. I could also hear General Zhao, the Chinese general, snorting in amusement. I am not sure what he found funny about this, but I’d rather not know at all.
It wasn’t a rational call, I knew it, but if there’s anyone who can project most empathy possible towards our alien rescue, it’d be Noah. I have asked Sara if she wished to participate as well, but she struggles to even look at the child without throwing up, so for her, distancing might be for the best.
“We’re beginning to hail the Arxur Dominion now.” Secretary-General announced, standing in front of the screen, facing it. “Not sure how long it will take.”
“I bet time zones get a ton more complicated on interstellar level...” General Zhao grumbled.
Afterwards, there were long twenty minutes of silence, interrupted by an occasional cough or shuffle before finally screen shifted, and displayed the aliens. It appears they also were in a private conference room, like us. In the middle, standing tallest and looking at us was none other than Chief Hunter Isif from photos the Odyssey crew took. Behind him were two more arxur. One was similar to Isif in build and stature, though not quite as tall, and the other was notably shorter and scrawnier, with lighter scale coloration. Part of me almost assumed that was a female, before I remembered that in the data dump there were no signs of easily notable sexual dimorphism among the arxur. An adolescent then, perhaps?
“Humans. I am glad you responded to our invitation. I believe an introduction is in order. I am Chief Hunter Isif of Arxur Dominion.” The alien spoke, translators working already, translating the noises unlike anything human makes into discernable speech.
“Greetings, Chief Hunter Isif. I am Secretary-General Elias Meier. I represent the United Nations, or UN for short, a governing body meant to represent combined interests of all individual nations of Earth. Before we proceed, I need to ask. Will I not be speaking to your leader, Prophet-Descendant, today?”
That was on the agenda for the meeting, if I remembered correctly. Trying to interact with arxur other than Isif. To gauge just how far this goes. Though it doesn’t seem like it’s happening, considering Isif is the one who picked up and how now he was emitting a low hiss that almost felt like it was carrying amusement.
“No. No offense meant to you, humans, but we Chief Hunters are expected to conduct all business in our sectors on our own. You technically fall within my territory. Plus, why would I give up an advantage I have over other Chief Hunters so easily? We may not ever have war against one another, but the competition is fierce, and you might just be the edge I need to curry more favor.”
I noticed General Zhao scoffing at shameless honesty in arxur’s intentions for this ‘alliance’ they proposed in the databanks. Yeah, just use us to gain more advantage over his rivals. I can’t believe Secretary-General elected to deal with them after all.
“I see. I expected that. Still, even if we were granted an audience, our answer would have remained unchanged. Sorry to disappoint, Chief Hunter, but humanity simply cannot afford a full alliance with the Dominion.” Secretary-General spoke in neutral tone, but I could sense the strain in his voice.
The arxur on the screen had his facial features harden.
“I see. You’re still unconvinced of the prey’s threat to your unprepared world. You believe you may parlay with them.”
“Quite the contrary, we’re more than convinced and have no reason to believe you’re lying. However, while an alliance with you would grant us protection... It would also drag us into the war we wish no part of. We’re... grateful to you for showing hospitality to the crew of Odyssey, and for warning us of the threat, but we will not be diving into war we have no interest fighting.”
“You will not be able to hide forever.” Isif kept insisting, seemingly almost growing agitated. “We knew of you because they did, long before us. They may believe you dead, but all it’d take is one stray vessel for you to be doomed.”
Part of me wanted to be relieved that, despite the tense tone, the negotiations so far were going exactly as planned. Another part of me wept that we were intentionally alienating and putting distance between ourselves and the aliens. And a third part of me was disgusted at the fact that we were talking to them at all.
“Trust us, Chief Hunter, we do not plan to merely sit and wait to be discovered and exterminated. We will be preparing. We simply don’t wish to enter the fight without a good reason.” Elias continued, pushing on to the next topic. “That said, just because we don’t wish for alliance, doesn’t mean we can’t mutually benefit from one another still.”
I could see that the shorter arxur behind Isif was about to speak up, but flinched when the larger one glared at them. Isif himself narrowed his eyes at Elias.
“And what benefit do you see that isn’t us joining hands in battle for survival, Elias Meier?”
I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel Secretary-General smiling at Chief Hunter.
“Trade. Your people are, by your own admission, starving. We could provide a solution. What we lack, however, is information. In this universe, we’re blind, and just sending out probes risks discovery. If you’d be willing to supply us with intel on Federation, we’d be more than glad to relieve your hunger. Maybe not the whole Dominion... But definitely all of your sector’s arxur.”
Arxur behind Isif both slightly opened their mouths, eyes widening in almost human-like expression. Even Isif seemed to be taken slightly aback, though he composed himself much quicker, glaring at his subordinates to make them collect themselves. On our end, I could see General Zhao smirking, and General Jones tapping at her chin in contemplation, while I twiddled my thumbs nervously, waiting for rug to be pulled from under us.
“You promise a lot. Producing food in such quantities with just one planet, even if it were filled with cattle, is impossible. Simply unsustainable.” Isif replied.
“We have our ways, Isif. We solved hunger once, we can do so again. Not immediately, it will take time to ramp up production, of course... But once that happens, all you need to do is name your price in how much meat you need and we will provide. And all we want in return is information to better defend ourselves.”
There was a long pause of contemplation. When looking closely, I could see something that was either agitation... or excitement among Isif’s posse, but Chief Hunter himself remained unimpressed. Eventually he did speak up.
“Don’t think I will fall for such a trick, Elias Meier. You humans are still young, still naive to the cruelty of the universe. We were once like you, and were nearly wiped out for it. I will not have it happen to the only other True Sapient in the galaxy. I will trade information. But I can already sense what the first request will be, and you will not be getting translations for Federation languages.”
That made every human in the room except Elias tense up. I almost flinched at the accusation, Jones hid her mouth behind her hand and Zhao’s smirk turned into a frown. Only Secretary-General remained unshaken. Isif, in meantime, continued speaking.
“If you prove yourself capable of helping us, and manage to provide as much sustenance as you claim you can... I will consider it. But until then, I will not be accelerating your desire to commit extinction by Federation’s hands.”
“Then, if you need to benefit from us first before putting us at risk, we can only thank you again for your concern, Chief Hunter.” Secretary-General replied. I was surprised at how collected he remained despite the arxur completely seeing through our intentions with this ‘trade deal’. “Trust us, we have no interest in getting annihilated in antimatter fire, but we are willing to work to earn your trust. We will be sending lists of information we desire. I hope that partnership can strengthen the bonds between us further.”
“Indeed. We will review and return to you the amounts of food we will require for it. Show us what you are capable of, humans. Now let’s get this over with. Conversing like that is... tiring.”
Right. Arxur are naturally solitary, according to the databank they gave us. A species of biologically predisposed introverts...
“Farewell, Chief Hunter Isif.” Meier replied curtly, before the screen dimmed and camera light disappeared. Contact was over.
I let out a deep sigh of relief, realizing I’ve been holding it in for a while now. There... was a lot to consider about what just happened. I was told footage would be saved, so we can better analyze the arxur nonverbal cues later.
Elias turned to us and put his hands on the table.
“So, that didn’t go as bad as it could have. Any thoughts?”
General Zhao was first to speak up.
“We’ll need information on Federation tactics and weaponry. We’ll have to prepare a strong l space military regardless of whether they can be talked down, but it’s much easier to convince someone not to kill you when doing so risks their own life.”
“I’m more interested in whether there is any technology that could allow us to send spy drones into Federation space without leaving obvious trail back to us.” General Jones countered. “We might not even need arxur translators if we can decode the language via our own surveillance.”
Elias turned his eyes on me expectantly. I considered everything that happened, things Isif said and ways his presumably-lieutenants reacted to conversation, things we learned from their data bank... And it dawned on me.
“They... see us the same way we have seen them before learning of their horrid acts. First contact with someone who treats you like a person, and first people in the galaxy whom you can see as friends. We sought the stars seeking to not be alone in the universe, and while their ways are repulsive to us... It’s not true the other way. This cooperation to them is much more sentimental than it is to us. They want to be able to trust us and rely on us.”
Elias smiled and nodded at my assessment.
“Thank you for your input, everyone. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Dr. Kuemper, I hope you’re ready for tomorrow’s announcement and your promotion?”
Right. Tomorrow we’re revealing that First Contact has occurred to the public. It took a lot of effort to make it presentable without triggering mass panic, and some details will be omitted. That and I’m receiving a new position in the UN related to handling alien affairs. What a joy...
“As ready as I can be.”
“Then let’s get to it. It won’t be easy, people, but our entire civilization is at stake. We need to get this right, and in a way that won’t have our descendants condemning us.”
Right. Cooperation with arxur, this trade... I didn’t like the idea of it, but I understood. We needed their help. Perhaps through this cooperation, rather than them influencing us, reverse can be made true, unlikely as it may seem. Worst part was failing to secure any translators at all. While I’m sure generals are salivating at idea of cyber-espionage against the Federation, I just wanted to be able to communicate with the rescued child, and make sure we could properly help her recover. Still... We will do our best, even without them.
Date [standardized human time]: July 15, 2136
Second time I woke up; the memories came to me much faster. How I was captured during the raid. How I spent months in cattle pens. How I was used as a meal for mystery predators. How they took me with them. And how I was now in their laboratory, or whatever closest thing predators have in their feral science.
Of course, my first instinct was to try and escape, but I couldn’t. I found myself actively strapped to the bed. I was panicked at first, trying to break through the restraints, but to no effect. So I let my head fall back onto surprisingly soft pillow and lay there... Awaiting my fate. But fate wasn’t coming, and I found myself getting a bit bored. So I raised my head and examined the room.
It seemed different from the room I was in before. Most of the machinery was gone, and the only big machine beside my bed wasn’t actually hooked up to me anymore. There was a large, predator-sized closet in the corner, and two big tables with seats. Of course, there was also bed itself. If not for the fact that I was slated to be butchered on this bed soon, it’d be the most comfortable place I got to lay down on since my capture. As is... It felt like cruel irony. I felt my eyes watering again. Did predators want to taunt me? Give me this sense of near-comfort as one last cruelty?
Subconsciously I tried calling out for mom, but felt my throat burn and ended up coughing instead. I think all the screaming recently wasn’t good for it, and with how dry my mouth was it didn’t help. Looking around I spotted it. A glass of water on a small stand beside the bed! Except it was completely out of reach. I tried shifting my tail under me, to try and extend towards it, but I’d need to have the bed flipped to have the chance at reaching. They probably left it like that intentionally... Letting me feel thirst, see the answer, but not be allowed to take it, all to make me suffer more.
I attempted to shift and wiggle against the restraints some more, when it hit me. It finally hit me that my leg was gone, gone for good. Even if I could somehow miraculously break those restraints... And get out of predator captivity... And make it back home to Venlil Prime... It wouldn’t be the same. I’d never live a normal life. My vision blurred with tears again. Why couldn’t they just end it... Why did... they have to make me suffer more.
Then the door opened and my heartbeat quickened. I realized just what I asked for, and looks like the universe itself wanted to give me that. Through the door stepped a figure... No longer clad in big rubbery suit. They probably realized such deception won’t work on me. But which of predators it was made my blood freeze.
It was the same one again... The dark-colored one that was there in meeting with arxur, and when I first woke up... Why was it always this one showing up over and over? Did all those predators look like that? He was wearing different outfit, maybe it was a different predator? No, it’s too similar, it must just be... assigned to me. My personal warden. Just like the pens had specific wardens assigned to them that were in charge of picking out meals.
This is it then. They must have done everything they wanted to do with me while I was unconscious and now that I was awake to feel it, were ready to finish me off. I closed my eyes, squeezing them tightly shut as the predator approached. I lost count of how many times I was anticipating death recently, but this was it... This must be it, finally, right? Universe can’t be cruel enough to do more to me, can it?
And as I waited for my demise, with held breath I lay. And lay. And waited. Until I realized that by now predator would long be within reach of my throat. I slowly opened my eyes, and blinked a few times to get the tears out. Sight of predator right beside me made me flinch, as it sat down by the bed, looking over me with its hungry, binocular eyes. I could see its mouth, lips quivering in hunger. And yet it did not lunge... Why?! Why can’t they just finish me off already? I felt so exhausted and fatigued by it all...
Predator seemed to lock its horrid eyes with my own eye. The gaze was intense, and I felt frozen. I couldn’t move, not even a muscle, as it just stared at me and I stared back. I felt a tear roll down my face, contributing more to the clump of matted fur, grown stained with so many tears. And that’s when the predator reached its hand for my head. I closed my eyes, recoiling away to the best of my ability. I... I didn’t want it... Please... Why can’t I just wake up back home, why can’t it all just be a nightmare...
I was prepared for its claw to grasp my face, to twist my neck, to scratch at me... But the only thing I felt was a small caress right under my eye, where the tear ran, wiping it off and rubbing at clumped fur, getting bits of dirt out in process. And then it was over. There was no attack. It was just more prolonging of the inevitable. It was so... tiring. I opened my eyes again, to look back at the predator. Really look back in those cruel eyes, to try and understand why the universe would have such evilness exist at all. The binocular gaze was horrible, but no amount of my instinct telling me to flee could help when I had neither the limbs nor freedom to move. So I just looked back. Into those small eyes when they suddenly blinked. And what could only be a tear rolled down the predator’s face. This made me mentally recoil.
How? Did a predator just shed a tear? But that’s... impossible. Only creatures with empathy can cry. That’s the textbook prerequisite for crying! You need to feel things to cry! Predators don’t have that! Arxur don’t have that. We learn that since before school. One of first things parents teach their kids is always the dangers of predators. But this is... Maybe it’s something in the room? Some noxious agent irritating its eyes? Then why can’t I feel it? Is it simply copying me? But why would it do that? Can you even copy something you can’t understand, like feelings? I didn’t understand. Maybe their biology was way more alien? Their skin was naked and had no fur or scales or feathers, maybe their tears are different too? I tried to find any explanation at all, any possible answer to questions swirling in my mind, but nothing made sense. It’s like this one little tear shattered everything I knew about predators. Maybe... They were different somehow? No! That can’t be it. If they were, they wouldn’t... They wouldn’t have been ones to take part in eating me! They wouldn’t deal with arxur! It’s a trick... it must be... But tears are a sign of empathy...
“W-Why...”, I asked in my confusion. My voice came out as ragged and hoarse and I was reminded of how dry my insides felt. I glanced over to the glass at the bedside, still out of reach and now with a predator near it... I stood no chance at reaching it.
Then suddenly, the predator looked over at it as well, and picked it up. I was almost about to cry at the idea that it would drink it in front of me, taunting my thirst further. But it didn’t even bring the glass close to its horrid mouth, instead moving it towards my face. Naturally, I tried pulling back from predator reach, but still restrained, I couldn’t move much. And once the glass was in front of me, predator just tilted it and... left it hovering there.
Was it... offering me a drink? Does that mean the water is poisoned? Why else would it give me some? I didn’t open my mouth, but the predator kept hovering the glass in front of me... Clear liquid inside swishing a bit with unevenness of the movements. Tantalizing... My throat felt drier just looking at it. In the end, base instinct prevailed over reason-based self-preservation. Even if it is poisoned... I was as good as dead in this den of predators, this won’t matter, and at least I’ll die not feeling as dry as a piece of old tree bark. So I let my mouth open and I raised my head as much as I could within the restraints, putting the glass’s rim into my mouth.
That first sip was probably the most heavenly water I’ve ever tasted. It was just normal water, of course, but with how dry I felt, I couldn’t get enough as I started quickly gulping it down. The predator actually helped, tilting the glass, keeping up with how quickly I emptied it. Every gulp was a relief... It was no stale water of arxur pens. It was actually fresh water! But as quickly as it started, the happiness ended, glass fully tilted and empty. I smack my mouth, gathering little bits of moisture gathered on it with my tongue, while the predator moves the glass back onto the counter.
Well, if that had poison in it, I didn’t taste any. And if it was somehow tasteless... It was worth it. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the predator and its actions, so instead I did my best to just ignore it as I savored the feeling of hydration. If I somehow live through this, unlikely though it may be, I will never scorn water again. Though I will probably still prefer some good juice over it...
The predator started moving again, removing the blanket-like sheet that was covering most of my body and reaching to where my restraints connected to the bed itself. It locked its eyes with me again, and this time it at least didn’t cry, but it did start to growl something. It was quiet and subdued, and of course I couldn’t understand any of it, but it didn’t lunge or reach for me directly and didn’t seem any different from earlier. Was it trying to say something?
Then I heard a small click. The light pressure I felt on my arms and chest from the restraints relaxed. Then the predator just tossed the restraint over me, revealing that they released me. I tested it by raising my arms slightly. Why...? Did they plan on taking me somewhere? I could try running but the feeling of lightness, of hollow emptiness where my leg used to be reminded me of how fruitless the endeavor would be, so I just kept laying in bed. The predator’s mouth curved in some wicked expression before they growled out some more of their crude words and got up.
They moved towards the exit, turning around to give me one last creepy staredown before stepping out of the room. And, unsurprisingly, I heard a soft click from the door itself. Right. I was just free to explore my new pen. But even with the freedom granted, I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. The shock of learning that a predator just shed a tear and fed me water was still too much. What is even happening?
It’s all so confusing. I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my head, hiding in the dark. I tried to desperately convince myself to not get my hopes up, to remember what those predators did to me... But somewhere I felt like maybe things here will at least be better than they were in arxur pens. At least there’s that to comfort me. That’s right, they probably just... don’t want me to die yet because they haven’t finished experimenting on me... And the tears were just... I don’t know. It makes no sense! It’s stupid!
I let out a breath and snuggled tighter into the blanket. As long as it was dark and quiet like this, I could at least pretend that I was back home... That everything makes sense... That I am just fine... That I'll be okay...
2024.05.21 08:50 bostonmovingcompany Why Move to Waltham, MA? Discover the Perfect Blend of History, Innovation, and Community
Why move to Waltham, MA? You’re standing on a charming street in Waltham, MA, surrounded by the vibrant hues of fall foliage while, the children laugh in a nearby park. Also, the neighbors chat warmly over fences, and the air is filled with the scent of autumn leaves. This isn’t just a postcard-perfect scene; it’s everyday life in Waltham. Known for its rich history, thriving economy, and strong sense of community, Waltham has become a magnet for homeowners and renters alike. But what truly sets this city apart? Let’s delve into the compelling reasons why moving to Waltham, MA, might be the best decision you make.
Waltham, often referred to as “The Watch City,” played a pivotal role in the American Industrial Revolution. The Waltham Watch Company, established in the mid-19th century, was a pioneer in mass production of watches, earning the city its nickname. Today, you can explore this fascinating history at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, housed in the original watch factory. Walking through Waltham’s historic downtown, you’ll find beautifully preserved buildings that whisper tales of the city’s industrious past.
A Hub for Education and Innovation
Why move to Waltham, MA? It’s a city that champions education and innovation. Waltham is home to renowned institutions like Brandeis University and Bentley University, attracting students and academics from across the globe. These universities not only provide excellent educational opportunities but also contribute to the city’s dynamic cultural scene. Waltham’s focus on education ensures a highly educated populace and a continuous influx of fresh ideas and talents.
A Thriving Economy
Waltham’s economic landscape is robust and diverse. The city hosts a multitude of businesses, from burgeoning startups to established multinational corporations. Being part of the Greater Boston area, Waltham is a hub for tech and biotech industries. According to recent statistics, the employment rate in Waltham is higher than the national average, with significant contributions from the healthcare, education, and technology sectors. This thriving economy offers ample job opportunities for both newcomers and long-term residents.
Family-Friendly Community
Waltham isn’t just about work and education; it’s a place where families thrive. The city boasts top-rated schools, safe neighborhoods, and a wealth of recreational activities. From lush parks to community centers offering a variety of programs, Waltham is designed to support a high quality of life for families. Events like the annual Waltham Riverfest and Holiday Lighting bring the community together, creating a warm, welcoming environment.
Green Spaces and Outdoor Activities
Why move to Waltham, Ma? Despite its urban setting, Waltham is rich in green spaces. The scenic Charles River runs through the city, offering beautiful trails for walking, biking, and jogging. The nearby Prospect Hill Park provides breathtaking views of the Boston skyline and is perfect for hiking and picnicking. These green spaces allow residents to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving the city limits.
Culinary Delights and Cultural Attractions
Food lovers will find Waltham a paradise of culinary delights. The city’s restaurant scene is diverse, offering everything from fine dining to cozy cafes. Moody Street, known as “Restaurant Row,” is packed with eateries serving cuisines from around the world. Additionally, Waltham’s cultural attractions, such as the Waltham Symphony Orchestra and the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra, provide enriching experiences for residents.
Strategic Location
Another compelling reason why move to Waltham, MA, is its strategic location. Just 10 miles from downtown Boston, Waltham offers the perfect balance of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility. Commuting to Boston for work or leisure is convenient, with multiple transportation options including the MBTA commuter rail and bus services.
Moving Tips from the Experts
Moving can be a daunting task, but with the right tips and planning, it can be a smooth transition. Here are some tips from Premium Q Moving and Storage, based on over 15 years of experience moving thousands of customers locally, long distance, and internationally:
At Premium Q Moving and Storage, we live by our slogan, ‘We Move Lives, Not Things.’ This means we understand the emotional and logistical challenges of moving, and we’re committed to making the process as stress-free as possible. Whether you’re moving locally within Massachusetts or relocating from another state, our team is here to assist with all your moving and storage needs.
Conclusion
Why move to Waltham, MA? It offers a unique blend of history, education, innovation, and community spirit, making it an ideal place to call home. If you’re considering a move to this vibrant city, remember that planning ahead and choosing the right moving company can make all the difference. For a seamless moving experience, contact Premium Q Moving and Storage. We’re here to help you start your new chapter in Waltham with ease and confidence.
Ready to make your move to Waltham, MA? Reach out to Premium Q Moving and Storage today for all your moving and storage needs. Let us help you transition smoothly to your new home in this wonderful city.
Contact Your Favorite Local Movers
Experience a seamless moving experience with Premium Q Moving and Storage as your favorite local movers. Get your personalized quote:
Subscribe now for a smoother, stress-free move and a brighter new chapter in your life. Let’s go beyond boxes together!
submitted by bostonmovingcompany to u/bostonmovingcompany [link] [comments]
Why move to Waltham, MA?
A Rich Historical TapestryWaltham, often referred to as “The Watch City,” played a pivotal role in the American Industrial Revolution. The Waltham Watch Company, established in the mid-19th century, was a pioneer in mass production of watches, earning the city its nickname. Today, you can explore this fascinating history at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, housed in the original watch factory. Walking through Waltham’s historic downtown, you’ll find beautifully preserved buildings that whisper tales of the city’s industrious past.
A Hub for Education and Innovation
Why move to Waltham, MA? It’s a city that champions education and innovation. Waltham is home to renowned institutions like Brandeis University and Bentley University, attracting students and academics from across the globe. These universities not only provide excellent educational opportunities but also contribute to the city’s dynamic cultural scene. Waltham’s focus on education ensures a highly educated populace and a continuous influx of fresh ideas and talents.
A Thriving Economy
Waltham’s economic landscape is robust and diverse. The city hosts a multitude of businesses, from burgeoning startups to established multinational corporations. Being part of the Greater Boston area, Waltham is a hub for tech and biotech industries. According to recent statistics, the employment rate in Waltham is higher than the national average, with significant contributions from the healthcare, education, and technology sectors. This thriving economy offers ample job opportunities for both newcomers and long-term residents.
Family-Friendly Community
Waltham isn’t just about work and education; it’s a place where families thrive. The city boasts top-rated schools, safe neighborhoods, and a wealth of recreational activities. From lush parks to community centers offering a variety of programs, Waltham is designed to support a high quality of life for families. Events like the annual Waltham Riverfest and Holiday Lighting bring the community together, creating a warm, welcoming environment.
Green Spaces and Outdoor Activities
Why move to Waltham, Ma? Despite its urban setting, Waltham is rich in green spaces. The scenic Charles River runs through the city, offering beautiful trails for walking, biking, and jogging. The nearby Prospect Hill Park provides breathtaking views of the Boston skyline and is perfect for hiking and picnicking. These green spaces allow residents to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving the city limits.
Culinary Delights and Cultural Attractions
Food lovers will find Waltham a paradise of culinary delights. The city’s restaurant scene is diverse, offering everything from fine dining to cozy cafes. Moody Street, known as “Restaurant Row,” is packed with eateries serving cuisines from around the world. Additionally, Waltham’s cultural attractions, such as the Waltham Symphony Orchestra and the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra, provide enriching experiences for residents.
Strategic Location
Another compelling reason why move to Waltham, MA, is its strategic location. Just 10 miles from downtown Boston, Waltham offers the perfect balance of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility. Commuting to Boston for work or leisure is convenient, with multiple transportation options including the MBTA commuter rail and bus services.
Moving Tips from the Experts
Moving can be a daunting task, but with the right tips and planning, it can be a smooth transition. Here are some tips from Premium Q Moving and Storage, based on over 15 years of experience moving thousands of customers locally, long distance, and internationally:
- Plan Ahead: Start planning your move at least two months in advance. Create a timeline and checklist to stay organized.
- Declutter: Go through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. This reduces the amount of stuff you need to move and can save you time and money.
- Pack Smart: Use high-quality packing materials like carpet shielding, shrink wrap, and rain-resistant rug runners to protect your items. Label boxes clearly to make unpacking easier.
- Hire Professional Movers: Choosing a reputable moving company like Premium Q Moving and Storage can make a significant difference. Our experienced team ensures your move is handled efficiently and safely.
- Stay Flexible: Moving can come with unexpected challenges. Stay flexible and have a backup plan to address any issues that arise.
At Premium Q Moving and Storage, we live by our slogan, ‘We Move Lives, Not Things.’ This means we understand the emotional and logistical challenges of moving, and we’re committed to making the process as stress-free as possible. Whether you’re moving locally within Massachusetts or relocating from another state, our team is here to assist with all your moving and storage needs.
Conclusion
Why move to Waltham, MA? It offers a unique blend of history, education, innovation, and community spirit, making it an ideal place to call home. If you’re considering a move to this vibrant city, remember that planning ahead and choosing the right moving company can make all the difference. For a seamless moving experience, contact Premium Q Moving and Storage. We’re here to help you start your new chapter in Waltham with ease and confidence.
Ready to make your move to Waltham, MA? Reach out to Premium Q Moving and Storage today for all your moving and storage needs. Let us help you transition smoothly to your new home in this wonderful city.
Contact Your Favorite Local Movers
Experience a seamless moving experience with Premium Q Moving and Storage as your favorite local movers. Get your personalized quote:
- For Tampa: at (813)-733-4481, visit www.premiumqmoving.com/tampa-moving or contact us at [tampa@premiumqmoving.com](mailto:Tampa@premiumqmoving.com). Follow us on instagram u/tampamoving.
- For Boston: at (781)-549-8789, visit www.premiumqmoving.com or contact us at [sales@premiumqmoving.com](mailto:sales@premiumqmoving.com). Follow us on instagram @premiumqmoving.
Listen/Watch Life Beyond Boxes Podcast Episodes Below
Catch the latest episode of the Life Beyond Boxes podcast now! Tune in for captivating conversations and eye-opening insights:- Listen on Apple Podcasts: Life Beyond Boxes Podcast
- Listen on Amazon Music: Life Beyond Boxes Podcast
- Listen on Spotify: Life Beyond Boxes Podcast
- Listen on Boomplay: Life Beyond Boxes Podcast
- Watch on YouTube: Life Beyond Boxes Podcast
Subscribe now for a smoother, stress-free move and a brighter new chapter in your life. Let’s go beyond boxes together!
2024.05.21 07:59 Chaos-Queen_Mari Light side bosses decided by reddit! (And a bonus!)
 | The results are in for lightside versions of 3 boss yokai! Two neat things here, all the winners are tough tribe, and each comes from a different main game! submitted by Chaos-Queen_Mari to yokaiwatch [link] [comments] First up front u/iwasneverbannedhere with 30 upvotes was Kabuking! For this lightside, I decided to play into the idea that his Canon boss design was Kabuki themed, kabuki being a massively exaggerated performance. So, his light side from is for off the stage, when the performance is over! Much more toned down. I was mainly inspired by how drag performers can look completely different in and out of costume, with a bit of Charlie the Haunted robot thrown in. In this form Kabuking is a fire attribute, B rank of the tough tribe. His soultimate is: Time Off, which negates any negative inspiritments on his team, and boosts his attack. Next up, from u/LegionTheSpiritomb with 24 upvotes was Junkernaut! Now substantially smaller, this lil slime can't build the massive junk armor it's shadowside has access to, so it instead ducks under a trash bin and uses pop cans as arm guards. Because of this difference in behavior, I call this form "Blobbin" Blabbin is a D rank of the tough tribe, and earth attribute with the soultimate: Junker Down, where he hides in his trash bin to boost his defense, along with drawing attention to himself And the third winner is: u/Eyepokai with 17 votes for: Massiface! Oddly enough, massiface's main inspiration, the miage-nyūdō can change size at will, using this ability to scare unsuspecting hikers senseless. These yokai take the from of monks, so this smaller form is called "Massimonk" and I played up that archetype in his design, with robes wrapped around his waist, and prayer beads around his neck. Massimonk is a C rank of the tough tribe, of the earth attribute and has the soultimate: "Massi-fist," where he enlarges his right hand and punches forward. Because of his shadowside form's massive size, he'd only be usable in light side form. And finally, a yokai no one asked for! Clipso! I don't do recolors very often, but since one of the winners happened to have one I though: why not? I could totally see this version of Clipso as a crank-a-kai exclusive! Lightside clipso is an S rank of the tough tribe, and an earth attribute just like Massimonk. His soultimate is: "Eclipsing strike"... which is exactly like Massimonk's soultimate. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy these lightside forms! |
2024.05.21 07:37 andersbaris Mastering AutoCAD: A Comprehensive Guide for Students
 | AutoCAD, the versatile design and drafting software developed by Autodesk, has become an essential tool for students and professionals in various fields including engineering, architecture, and graphic design. Mastering AutoCAD can open doors to numerous career opportunities and allow for the creation of intricate and precise designs. This guide aims to provide students with essential tips and strategies for effectively learning and using AutoCAD, as well as discussing the role of online resources and assistance. submitted by andersbaris to u/andersbaris [link] [comments] Understanding the Basics of AutoCADBefore diving into the complexities of AutoCAD, it is crucial to understand its basic functions. AutoCAD is used to create 2D and 3D designs, offering tools for drawing, editing, and annotating technical drawings. Students should start with the fundamental commands and tools such as:
Developing Proficiency in 2D Drafting2D drafting is often the first step in learning AutoCAD. It involves creating flat representations of objects, which can then be used as the basis for more detailed designs. To develop proficiency in 2D drafting, students should focus on:
Exploring 3D ModelingOnce students are comfortable with 2D drafting, they can move on to 3D modeling. AutoCAD offers powerful 3D capabilities that allow for the creation of detailed and complex models. Key aspects to focus on include:
Efficient Workflow and Best PracticesEfficiency is critical when working with AutoCAD, especially on larger and more complex projects. Adopting best practices can significantly improve your productivity and the quality of your work. Consider the following tips:
Leveraging Online Resources and CommunitiesThe internet is a treasure trove of resources for learning and mastering AutoCAD. From official tutorials provided by Autodesk to community-driven forums, there are numerous avenues to seek help and improve your skills. Here are some valuable resources:
Seeking Help with AutoCAD AssignmentsDespite the availability of numerous resources, there may be times when students need personalized assistance with their AutoCAD assignments. This is where assignment help websites come into play. These platforms offer expert guidance and support, helping students to understand complex concepts and complete their projects on time. While it is important to use these services ethically and not as a shortcut to avoid learning, they can be incredibly beneficial for overcoming specific challenges and enhancing your understanding of the software.Real-World Applications and ProjectsApplying AutoCAD skills to real-world projects is one of the best ways to solidify your knowledge and demonstrate your capabilities. Here are a few project ideas that can help you practice and showcase your skills:
The Importance of CertificationWhile proficiency in AutoCAD can be self-taught, obtaining certification can provide formal recognition of your skills and knowledge. Autodesk offers several certification levels, including:
ConclusionMastering AutoCAD is a journey that involves continuous learning, practice, and exploration. By understanding the basics, developing proficiency in both 2D drafting and 3D modeling, and adopting efficient workflows, students can harness the full potential of this powerful software. Leveraging online resources and seeking personalized help when needed can further enhance your learning experience. Real-world projects provide practical applications of your skills, while certification can formally recognize your expertise.Whether you are an aspiring architect, engineer, or designer, AutoCAD offers the tools and capabilities to bring your ideas to life. Embrace the learning process, stay curious, and continually challenge yourself to improve. With dedication and persistence, you can master AutoCAD and open the door to a world of design possibilities. AutoCAD, the versatile design and drafting software developed by Autodesk, has become an essential tool for students and professionals in various fields including engineering, architecture, and graphic design. Mastering AutoCAD can open doors to numerous career opportunities and allow for the creation of intricate and precise designs. Seeking Help with AutoCAD assignments can be a crucial step in overcoming initial hurdles and building a solid foundation. This guide aims to provide students with essential tips and strategies for effectively learning and using AutoCAD, as well as discussing the role of online resources and assistance. Understanding the Basics of AutoCADBefore diving into the complexities of AutoCAD, it is crucial to understand its basic functions. AutoCAD is used to create 2D and 3D designs, offering tools for drawing, editing, and annotating technical drawings. Students should start with the fundamental commands and tools such as:
Developing Proficiency in 2D Drafting2D drafting is often the first step in learning AutoCAD. It involves creating flat representations of objects, which can then be used as the basis for more detailed designs. To develop proficiency in 2D drafting, students should focus on:
Exploring 3D ModelingOnce students are comfortable with 2D drafting, they can move on to 3D modeling. AutoCAD offers powerful 3D capabilities that allow for the creation of detailed and complex models. Key aspects to focus on include:
Efficient Workflow and Best PracticesEfficiency is critical when working with AutoCAD, especially on larger and more complex projects. Adopting best practices can significantly improve your productivity and the quality of your work. Consider the following tips:
Leveraging Online Resources and CommunitiesThe internet is a treasure trove of resources for learning and mastering AutoCAD. From official tutorials provided by Autodesk to community-driven forums, there are numerous avenues to seek help and improve your skills. Here are some valuable resources:
Seeking Help with AutoCAD AssignmentsDespite the availability of numerous resources, there may be times when students need personalized assistance with their AutoCAD assignments. This is where assignment help websites come into play. These platforms offer expert guidance and support, helping students to understand complex concepts and complete their projects on time. While it is important to use these services ethically and not as a shortcut to avoid learning, they can be incredibly beneficial for overcoming specific challenges and enhancing your understanding of the software.Real-World Applications and ProjectsApplying AutoCAD skills to real-world projects is one of the best ways to solidify your knowledge and demonstrate your capabilities. Here are a few project ideas that can help you practice and showcase your skills:
The Importance of CertificationWhile proficiency in AutoCAD can be self-taught, obtaining certification can provide formal recognition of your skills and knowledge. Autodesk offers several certification levels, including:
ConclusionMastering AutoCAD is a journey that involves continuous learning, practice, and exploration. By understanding the basics, developing proficiency in both 2D drafting and 3D modeling, and adopting efficient workflows, students can harness the full potential of this powerful software. Leveraging online resources and seeking personalized help when needed can further enhance your learning experience. Real-world projects provide practical applications of your skills, while certification can formally recognize your expertise.Whether you are an aspiring architect, engineer, or designer, AutoCAD offers the tools and capabilities to bring your ideas to life. Embrace the learning process, stay curious, and continually challenge yourself to improve. With dedication and persistence, you can master AutoCAD and open the door to a world of design possibilities. https://preview.redd.it/vh3lswravp1d1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=868a566e284c9cd924ed35101c2f384a27f8ab52 |
2024.05.21 07:29 brochachose Using a Glass Bed on the Neptune4 Max with the Induction Sensor
 | So, as the title says I'm in the process of getting a 400x400mm glass bed from the Anycubic Kobra 1 Max to work with the Neptune 4 Max. submitted by brochachose to elegoo [link] [comments] I didn't realise that the bed probe was induction and wouldn't work with glass. A quick google to see if there were alternate probe options I came up blank but with the idea of setting the PEI sheet atop the glass for the Z homing, removing it and then setting my offset to glass. This way the Z-axis homes to the same height each pass, but then the Z-offset is still set to the glass. After a quick test of my theory, printing a mini at 0.12mm layer height, I had great success. Perfect adhesion, no warping. The same mini was having adhesion issues on the smooth PEI so this was a great test. However, levelling my printer is impossible still, and each print having to put a piece of PEI to home it is annoying... and so my next test came to be. I grabbed a tiny piece of aluminium foil and placed it where my Z-home point is... low and behold it worked. So, long term, until there's an option to put a capacitive probe on my N4Max, what's my solution Cheap copper tape. I've yet to actually test it, but given that it's intentionally conductive unlike my baking foil, I am certain this will work. I'm going to use the standard 36 point mesh, and run strips of of conductive tape over it for bed mesh. I will do the same for each corner screw so I can continue to us BL5000 for my bed probing, and still have a good mesh for large prints. The strips get removed once leveled except for the homing strip Why am I doing this I hear you asking? Because glass is superior for PLA adhesion, and much more reliable. I've managed 5 day prints on 300x300 edge to edge printing on glass with no warp whatsoever, but have regular warping issues on larger 250x250mm prints on my N4Max or even my other printer using PEI smooth or textured. PEI is amazing for PETG and I'm beyond stoked with how it's transformed practical part printing for me, but for PLA for my DND terrain, it kinda sucks. There's hundreds of hours of PLA+ print time on glass on this shelf, and the only 2 pieces of terrain that have finished with "manageable" warp on PEI are the light grey, and the top one I'm tossing due to its defects. I think at the end of the day, I would just very much rather replace a tiny piece of tape every print or so and know that my $10-$15 of plastic isn't going to be waste. https://preview.redd.it/i5xbm4nrtp1d1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e83721d10a3dcba91483768d25884425c0167396 https://preview.redd.it/zg88w2nrtp1d1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e3f5a3026fca453ad85d2fef0a4ffb9837de81e The bottom left building and top middle suffered 0.5 - 2mm warp at corners and edges. All my other terrain is perfectly flat bases. |
2024.05.21 07:18 floralgarag Best Flowers to Get for Graduation
 | Graduation is a milestone that deserves to be celebrated with flair, and what better way to do that than with a bouquet of stunning flowers? Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a graduate or planning decorations for the ceremony, flowers add a touch of beauty and elegance. Let’s dive into the best flowers to get for graduation and how to make your choice unforgettable. submitted by floralgarag to u/floralgarag [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/p8coph3zrp1d1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=d791c3026bc2265fcf63d14b9e964e2b6ec6a998 Choosing the Perfect Graduation FlowersFactors to ConsiderSeveral factors can guide you to the perfect choice when selecting flowers for graduation.Recipient’s PreferencesCould you think about the graduate's favorite flowers and colors? Personalizing the bouquet to their tastes shows thoughtfulness and care.Color SymbolismColors have different meanings and can convey various sentiments. For instance, yellow symbolizes friendship and joy, while red signifies love and passion. Choose colors that reflect your sentiments and the graduate’s personality.Flower MeaningsEvery flower carries a unique meaning. Understanding these can add depth to your bouquet.Flower Garage Singapore offers a wide variety of floral arrangements for any occasion, all within your budget. They also provide a free door-to-door delivery service. Popular Graduation FlowersRosesSymbolismRoses are timeless and versatile. They symbolize love, admiration, and respect, making them a popular choice for graduation.Varieties and ColorsRoses come in many colors, each with its own meaning. Red roses express love, pink roses signify admiration, and white roses represent purity and new beginnings.LiliesSymbolismLilies symbolize purity, commitment, and a prosperous future, making them perfect for celebrating academic achievements.Varieties and ColorsOriental lilies are known for their fragrance, while calla lilies add a touch of elegance. White and orange lilies are particularly popular for graduation.OrchidsSymbolismOrchids represent beauty, strength, and luxury. They are a sophisticated choice that conveys admiration and high regard.Varieties and ColorsPhalaenopsis and Dendrobium orchids are common in graduation bouquets. They come in vibrant hues like purple, pink, and white.SunflowersSymbolismSunflowers symbolize happiness, adoration, and longevity. Their bright, cheerful appearance makes them a joyful addition to any celebration.Varieties and ColorsClassic yellow sunflowers are most common, but they also come in shades of orange and red.CarnationsSymbolismCarnations represent love and pride. They are durable flowers that maintain their beauty for a long time.Varieties and ColorsCarnations are available in a wide range of colors, each with different meanings. Red carnations express admiration, while white carnations symbolize good luck.DaisiesSymbolismDaisies symbolize innocence and new beginnings. Their simple beauty makes them a favorite for many occasions.Varieties and ColorsGerbera daisies are especially popular, available in vibrant colors like pink, orange, and yellow.Unique Graduation Flower IdeasTropical FlowersTropical flowers like birds of paradise and anthuriums add an exotic touch to your bouquet. They symbolize magnificence and excitement, perfect for celebrating a significant achievement.WildflowersWildflowers such as daisies, poppies, and lavender bring a natural, rustic charm to your arrangement. They symbolize freedom and the beauty of nature.Mixed BouquetsCreating a mixed bouquet allows you to combine different flowers, colors, and meanings. This can be tailored to reflect the graduate’s personality and achievements.DIY Graduation BouquetsBenefits of DIYCreating your own bouquet adds a personal touch and allows you to customize it completely.Steps to Create a Custom Bouquet
Personalization TipsAdd elements like personalized tags, charms, or even small keepsakes to make the bouquet extra special.Floral Arrangements for Graduation CeremoniesCenterpiecesElegant centerpieces can enhance the decor of graduation parties and ceremonies. Use a mix of flowers that complement the theme.Stage DecorationsLarge floral arrangements on stage can create a stunning backdrop for photos and speeches.Gift BouquetsA beautifully arranged bouquet is a perfect gift for graduates. Consider adding a personalized note or a small gift to accompany it.Care Tips for Fresh FlowersExtending Flower LongevityTo keep your flowers fresh longer, change the water regularly and trim the stems every few days.Proper Handling and StorageKeep flowers in a cool, shaded place away from direct sunlight and drafts.ConclusionChoosing the best flowers for graduation involves considering the recipient’s preferences, understanding color symbolism, and appreciating the meanings behind different flowers. Whether you opt for classic roses, elegant lilies, or unique tropical blooms, the right bouquet can beautifully convey your congratulations and best wishes.FAQsWhat is the most popular flower for graduation?Roses are the most popular flowers for graduation due to their timeless beauty and symbolism of love and admiration.How do I choose the right flowers for a graduation bouquet?Consider the recipient’s preferences, the colors they like, and the meanings of different flowers to choose the right bouquet.Can I mix different types of flowers in a graduation bouquet?Yes, mixing different types of flowers can create a beautiful and personalized bouquet that reflects various sentiments.What colors are best for graduation flowers?Bright and vibrant colors like yellow, pink, and red are popular for graduation, symbolizing happiness, admiration, and success.How do I keep graduation flowers fresh?Keep the flowers in a cool place, change the water regularly, and trim the stems every few days to ensure they stay fresh. |
2024.05.21 07:09 _Triple_ [STORE] 900+ KNIVES/GLOVES/SKINS, 100.000$+ INVENTORY. BFK Lore, Gloves Amphibious, Skeleton Fade, Bowie Emerald, BFK Auto, Gloves MF, Talon Doppler, Gloves POW, Bayo Tiger, Gut Sapphire, Stiletto MF, M9 Ultra, Ursus Doppler, Flip Doppler, M9 Stained, Nomad CW, Paracord CW, AK-47 X-Ray & A Lot More