I know that for example in Japan, they are even installing a barrier to obstruct the view of Mt. Fuji, because the nearby towns are starting to get fed up with an overflow of tourists who stop at one particular spot just to take pictures of the mountain. That is not the only issue with the overflow of tourists within their country, in Kyoto specifically, it is way too crowded. What annoys me the most is about them taking pictures of Geisha everywhere, I get it they want to snap a picture, but keep in mind that they are humans and need some space. (They are now issuing a ¥10000 fine for violators.)
During the time Logan Paul visited Japan was the worst, as he went to the suicide forest and recorded footage of a DEAD BODY then proceed to laugh, he took the video down after receiving a ton of backlash. He's not the only one, Johnny Somali also did some shit that landed him in jail, such as entering a construction site, using a random guests room number to get himself 'free' breakfast without realizing that guest will be billed upon them checking out, all due to his stupid actions. Streamers like him who visit Japan are just dumb, taking advantage of others.
Japan is now enforcing stricter rules regarding filiming in public, there are even businesses that forbid both video and photography, so no streaming IRL. In general, Japanese are fed up and pissed off about tourists who disrespect their customs or completely disregard their culture, there are even foreigners who throw trash on the floor (due to Japan not having bins everywhere, even in public, they only exist at designated areas) so you have no choice but to carry your trash with you. They even throw trash not from the konbini into their bins!
In hindsight:

• Does Greece have an over tourism problem? If so, how bad is it?
• Are there instances of behaviors coming from tourists that annoy Greek people to the point the authorities are cracking down on bad behavior imposing harsher penalties or deportation?
• Do you know any sites that often get photographed way too often that people are considering on creating a barricade to obstruct the view of said place or site?

Good day y'all, I'm a student filmmaker from the philippines currently in film school! I do freelance sound work, primarily for short films as their production sound mixer.
In a recent internship with a production house I hung around with the sound team and learned more about how they do live sound for bigger productions in my country. I've learned a lot of the things i know about sound through online sources so I had a different understanding about sound and what they do on set which threw me for a loop getting more info about how they run sound in professional settings.
Here's some discrepencies that I noticed: - Metadata input is non existent, we still use paper log sheets or not log at all - They primarily dont use Timecode, most productions clap sync (even on high end productions) - Smart slates are very uncommon if not forgotten entirely - We use Leukoplast (the medical tape) and not use any lav foams/concealers to lessen clothing rustle - Boom operators dont usually have sound feeds/IFBs to hear what they are booming - A lot of the sound people have no formal live sound training - Sometimes they just have a random PA hold the boom - They dont really set up any sound isolation for ACs, echoey rooms, etc. or even try to reduce natural sounds (footsteps, etc.) - The workflow is usually: Get to set > Lav up > Wait to roll > Roll > Take Lavs back > Turn in for the day (Lavs stay on talent even during wardrobe changes because they apply the medical tape straight to skin - They dont do wild tracks/wild sound for lines with the actors in case of bad audio - Sound is more thought of in terms of post work instead of on site work so the editors have more work to do
I'm really curious as to what sound is like in other countries because I want to improve my work to help better sound in productions from my country in the future. I know that it starts with us the sound mixers to get better sound and i want to apply what I learned to projects i take!
So, What's production sound like in your country? I'm really interested in how your work is like!

Anyone that’s followed my posts on here knows that this hasn’t been easy for me.
Hell… it’s not easy for anyone. Not a single one of us were prepared for what we’re going through and know how to go about it.
Personally it’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever went through and it’s still not really letting up. It’s not easing up because it’s either the next “last” thing or it’s the first thing “new” thing.
As an example my kids and I just met my wife’s girlfriend and her kids for the first time a few days ago. I was not looking forward to it, dreaded it for weeks as the days counted down. As we got closer to the destination where we were meeting up my anxious tick of rubbing my fingers and thumb together started going crazy and I was nearly in tears because the trip there was the last I would see us as my old family and once we got there I would witness the start of their new family. (Just for context I was invited to come, not forced.) it was extremely hard. The girlfriend and I were both really nervous so we didn’t really speak but were polite and my wife and her were caring enough not to be super coupley in front of me because they didn’t want to make it any harder on me which I appreciate. It was very difficult but I made it through. And the girlfriend’s kids were awesome and our kids practically made new best friends with them. They even let me play with them and I got an unexpected hug and got to joke around with them. This isn’t what I wanted by any means but they included me in this new “first”, not in a hateful throw it in my face kind of way but in a “you can and we would like you to be involved in this” kind of way. I’m not being forgotten, I’m not being tossed to the side like trash. This is just how it is now but I’m able to be involved if I wish to be. I was even told about a conversation my ex and her gf had about gfs son when he grows older who’s going to teach him how to shave (I never actually thought about that before) and the gf asked my ex if maybe I would be willing to teach him when the time came. And honestly I think I’d be okay with that. Although the day really hurt and was really tough and I never would want anyone to go through this, it ended up being I think a success. I made it through, they were considerate of me, and the kids loved it.
But…… just the day before I blew out my voice because I had been made so angry I had to go for a drive to try and calm down and not explode around my kids. While driving I just started screaming and ended up ruining my voice. That was 4 days ago and it’s still pretty bad.
There’s bad days and worse days. And if you’re lucky every now and then there’s a good day. 7 months in people are finally coming out and quieting showing me support through texts and telling me their thoughts and hopes that I’ll be okay and saying they care about me. This whole time I’ve only heard support for her for the most part. It’s finally feeling like I haven’t been forgotten in all of this and what I’m going through is being acknowledged and I’m being told their proud of me for what I’ve done and how I’ve done it. It doesn’t fix anything but it feels nice to finally be seen a bit in all this.
And then today is my birthday. And I woke up with my youngest coming into the living room telling me happy birthday as I climbed off my couch/bed. I was given gifts by my family, my kids and my ex. And we’re spending the day doing some stuff together.
This post might seem like it’s all over the place because…. It is. And that’s the type of “journey” we’re going to have through all of this. It’s all ups and downs, back and forth, bad/baddeworst/ and hopefully some good here and there. It’s fucking crazy and doesn’t make sense.
But my main purpose of this post is that I want to remind everyone that everyone’s journey is going to be different. I think I’ve said before that my situation is unique in a unique situation. I’m not dealing with just a normal divorce, I’m dealing with a divorce where my wife came out as gay, and not only that but we had a good marriage were we worked well together and weren’t fighting, but also were trying to make this all work out and us still be best friends while being good for the kids. Not everyone’s scenario is going to be like mine, we have different goals, different endings, different path, and all of this with different people.
I’ve been told by many many people that I should pretty much burn my ex at the stake, take the kids and run, she’s the devil and is a horrible person, and whatever. That’s not necessarily my scenario or my/our goal in all of this so that advice doesn’t help. But in some cases for others that may be the advice that’s needed.
All this to say, do what is best for you in your situation. Do what’s best for yourself and your specific relationships. We’re all in this together but remember we are all in different places coming from different unique situations in our unique situations.
I know I’ve got ALOT more pain still to go through, I’m not past all of this yet. I have a lot more new “firsts” to navigate. Come tomorrow I might be back on here crying.
But that’s okay.
And it’s okay for all of you to be crazy and feel different every day/houminute/second.
Try and be kind and patient. It’s a lot easier said than done but just keep trying.

Wasn't sure what flair to add so I just put other, I can change it if needed though.
Ok, so, I F16 do ballet. The fall semester was fine, but in the spring semester some new guy (I'm not sure how old, but at least 18) came to the studio. I'm no stranger to dancing with guys, youth and adults, and I've taken partnering classes before. Not only is this guy not even good at dancing, he's rude to the younger girls in our group even though they're consistantly better than him in most things, and I've caught him staring at my ass before. I have a relatively good intuition, and most people who I feel are good or bad turn out to be that way. This guy feels bad. I feel like a fucking object anytime he's in the room. Like I said, I've caught him staring at my ass.
One of our exercises at barre, where I was standing in front of him (not close to him but still), our teacher had us do a very common step where we basically bend over, touch our toes, and come back up. We are generally supposed to have our head turned to the side when we do this. So my head was turned to the side, where there is a mirror along the whole wall, almost floor to ceiling. His head is not only straight, but tilted down, looking at guess what. So I kinda pause, drawing out the movement before as I wait for him to do the step and bend down so I can do it without him watching me, figuring he just forgot what we were doing. He doesn't. There were two other girls in class, both doing the step already. So if he just didn't know what he was doing he could've just looked at them. But no, he decided to just stare at me and basically wait for me to do it. That's just one example and I don't feel like wracking my mind for more, cause there is more, but I just don't feel safe around him at all. I've heard people say he's going to be here next year too, though I've also heard he's only here until our recital. I'm just scared and grossed out and don't know if I'm overreacting or not, and I don't really have anyone else to talk to about this.

Please submit mod applications please we need mods please we'll give you NOTHING.
Gain 300 pounds with this one simple trick! (Parents, teachers, employers and landlords hate it!)
Ok so when the queue for this subreddit was closed and every post had to be manually approved before it was let in, moderating this sub was very taxing and time consuming and unfun. However, now that it's open and generally kinda shittier, moderators now have the job or removing horrible fucking garbage posts, banning racists and ugly people, and speaking nicely and with respect to the community. Rather than deleting 100 billion posts and then approving one that actually fits the niche sub mechanic and then watching it get 10 upvotes. I mean I enjoyed that I thought it was funny but now the sub is FULLY ACTIVE AND OPERATIONAL which YOU ENJOY MORE, YOU PERSON READING THIS YOU I SEE YOU I SEE YOU THROUGH THE SCREEN
Here is the link, very basic questions, very fun, try to keep joke submissions to a minimum since this is an ip phishing link and if you click it and then send a joke form that I have to sort through and delete I will hunt you down and be nice and friendly to you haha (bad) (it's not actually an ip phishing link) (maybe it is though) (you'll have to click it to find out) (haha just kidding haha unless)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEkIVlPjgMsBEegXq9vM3AoHw8_vSM5BlA1e41DJxmPBlIKA/viewform
^click and type accurate and well thought out responses for free candy (free candy is oxygen particles they are in your room already you are welcome taste them mmmm sweet science gas of life)
please become moderator please we have government connections I can get you NOTHING

• I would like to be inside my own head without having to do this (responsibilities).
  
• I just feel that there are things I don't achieve because I'm flawed.
  
• I like to write down things about myself and it's not something I ever do, but I'm enjoying doing this rn.
  
• I always need some time to process things before doing them because I always want a mental break between tasks, and to have time to mentally prepare myself.
  
• In the end, I realize that sometimes I avoid pain like everyone else, and sometimes when I don't avoid pain it's because I know there's a possibility that this feeling won't sink me further, although paradoxically, sometimes I provoke it to confront it, and I'm not afraid, but I don't want to keep feeling this(? But, at the same time I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all (three days grace reference(?). Like, yesterday I knew that remembering him and playing our songs would make me cry but I did it.
  
• In the end, what your instinct tells you is what never fails.
  
• To what extent is what you feel real?
  
• I get sudden gut feelings that are always right.
  
• Why have I been treated so badly?
  
• How can everything be so complex?
  
• "If you were such a good mother, then why the hell am I feeling like this?"
  
• I focus on the personality of the person I love and adapt it to mine to avoid the emptiness I feel with myself. When I didn't do this, I sometimes felt disoriented, but this only activates when the person I love abandons me. But ngl, sometimes I don't feel good doing this, sometimes I do. Depends on my mood, but it makes me feel bad, in some way.
  
• If you want to feel the intensity of your emotions, just do it. (But then sometimes I think it's better to keep things to yourself)
  
• Sometimes I don't overthink, it makes me feel lazy when thinking about it (but other times I do, and a lot).
  
• Why does everything make me feel so lazy?
  
• "You do everything wrong." From: me To: me
  
• I like days of doing nothing.
  
• I'm interested in the unknown and once I know it, I'm less interested, that's why I change interests so much and don't specialize in anything, but at the same time, I'm interested in many things.
  
• What if I'm never right?
  
• I feel envy for those who can be free. (But not an insane envy, I just want to be like them, being free).
  
• I used to be happier before.
  
• A part of me tests people, pushing the limits of their patience to see how far they'll go with me, only to end up seeing that they got tired of me again and that I was obviously right, but I self-sabotaged to confirm it under the question: how long will it last?
  
• No one will accept me the way I am.
  
• I don't want to do anything.
  
• The way my opinions can change so much is crazy.
  
• It's better to keep some people emotionally as far away as possible.
  
• I feel like I don't belong.
  
• I feel misunderstood.
  
• I want to get away from all of this.
  
• Nowadays, talking about what's happening to me makes me feel bad because it makes me feel uncomfortable, dramatic, and ridiculous, as I tend to overthink whatever is happening to me.
  
• I find it hard to connect with others, often not having a response to say, or leaving my mind blank. That makes me feel mediocre, insufficient.
  
• I don't feel comfortable/safe with others, so I keep to myself. I think they will humiliate me or they will belittle how I feel.
  
• I don't know what kind of delusion you've created about yourself.
  
• Do I feel this way or am I just self deceiving me to protect myself?
  
• Sometimes just want to see if I get attention when posting something on instagram (not about attention seeking because I post normal things, for example: a selfie(? I hope this not be misunderstood.)
  
• I let myself be carried away by my desires at the given moment.
  
• My defense mechanism might be pretending I don't care from the outside until I can't stand it anymore and then I won't pretend because it will make me feel worse (on the inside I constantly think about how much I care).
  
• I don't maintain intimate relationships with others, aside from the fact that it's never mutual, because I feel I'll be judged, so I withdraw and avoid it.
  
• I love this calm of no one coming in this room.
  
• Dramatic.
  
• Although it hurts to feel it, I cling to this feeling and want to feel it because it frees me from feeling empty (not being able to get over my ex but prefers experimenting that pain rather than feeling emptiness).
  
• I don't want to express myself anymore. (But probably at some point I will).
  
• I like being in my own head.
  
• I want to escape.
  
• The part I enjoyed most about making polls on instagram was because he liked them too (so that means he answered them and I knew more about him).
  
• You know when you feel you can't rely on others, so you decide to keep everything to yourself?
  
• I feel like I'm letting others walk all over me again, like when I was a kid and never defended myself.
  

P.S. I know many of my thoughts are intense, immature and can be judged, but I share them because I think it can be useful for self-discovery and growth from there. I know I need to heal.
You can also add tritype/wing and/or instinctual variant if you have it clear

_______________________________________________
The Book of Harris-y
(Religion as it should be)
by Zachary Harris
(cc) (NC) (ND) by Zachary Harris
May be copied, distributed, or displayed, verbatim only. non-commercial, not derivative works nor remixes.
First edition May 2024
Chapter 1 - What's in a name
Chapter 2 - A bunch of rules
Chapter 3 - Secrete origins
Chapter 4 - The end
Chapter 5 - Everybody's favorite topic: SEX
Chapter 6 - The 2000 year war
Chapter 7 - Humans and gods
Chapter 8 - Parables
Chapter 9 - Feedback
Chapter
CHAPTER 1
What's in a name
Some religions are named after it's main prophet. Christianity is named after christ. Buddhism is named after Budda.
I, Zach Harris, dub this religion HARRISy.
Where is it written that a religion can't have a sense of humor?
HARRISy is not a spoof or sarcasm.
But any religion without a sense of humor, absolutely NEEDS to be ridiculed.
I was raised in christianity. So most of my criticism will be aimed at the Abrahamic religions.
I intend to build harrisy on logic and reason. Not the superstition, lies, and, threats that the Abrahamic religions are built on.
As an alternative for conscientious objectors caught in the religious wars (see chapter 6).
Deities are not really necessary for inspiration or religion. An all-powerful creator wouldn't need the help or adulation of puny mortals.
Only cults and human puppet masters need that. So we leave deities to their own devises. They ought to be up to it.
Harrisy is a religion about/for humans, as religions should be.
My leadership skills suck. So I will avoid leading, to avoid becoming a cult.
Chapter 2
A bunch of rules
Everybody hates rules. But let's establish what Harrisy stands for.
10 rules is a nice round number. But when the first four are about loyalty to the cult, You have to question who the rules are meant to benefit.
The christian 'commandments' only benefit the christian cult. The commandments don't even benefit their god.
A true all-powerful, immortal, creator god, would not need human worship or loyalty. The same as humans don't need the worship of ants.
We don't make rules for ants to follow. Just stay out of our way. The Abrahamic god treats us like ants. Either ignores or steps on us. It was his cults that made the 'commandments', not their god.
(more about that in chapter 7)
Harrisy has rules to live by, to benefit HUMANS:
A) Cause no harm.
B) Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Christianity calls this 'The Golden Rule' as if they invented it. But this was part of every culture and religion that humans ever created. (except Is-lame)
C) Do not kill. Do not kill humans.
Self preservation may override this, but killing is still a bad idea.
When killing animals for food, respect their sacrifice. Killing for sport is a bad idea.
D) People are not property.
Do not try to own others, in any sense.
You belong to yourself, do not give yourself away.
E) Do not steal.
You would not want to loose your stuff. (see B) Stealing harms others.
F) Do not lie. Avoid those who lie.
You would want to know the truth. To make better decisions. (see B)
G) Do not rape.
Do not force yourself on others. Your pleasures are not more important than other people's.
This applies to more than just sex. Do not force your religion on others. Do not force harrisy on others.
H) Do not shit wherever you please.
You don't want to slog through other people's shit.
(it's a metaphor.) Leave the world better than you found it.
I) Guard your privacy. Respect the privacy of others.
Beware of others who might use info against you. Or might unduly profit off you.
We have no rules about loyalty. We understand loyalties change. Just be honest (rule E)
We have no rule specifically about Adultery. Adultery might be considered loyalty, which changes.
Or adultery might be considered stealing, stealing affection. (rule D)
Chapter 3
Secrete origins
No one knows how/why it all began. Anyone who says they know, for certain, is lying.
The answer might as well be 42.
Most religions make it a crime to ask questions about their creation myths. This promotes ignorance. Helps the cult, not the people.
We understand the 'scientific method'. Scientists ask questions and are willing to test and adapt to new info.
So, for now, we trust scientific conclusions about the beginnings.
The current best theories from science:
The universe started from what they humorously call 'The Big Bang', about 13.8 Billion years ago.
Many are curious about what came before that. But we find that to be irrelevant to our everyday life.
Some religions say their god did it so they can claim payment/gratitude/worship for it. But we owe them nothing.
The earth was formed about 4.5 Billion years ago.
Humans evolved from other critters over many, many, many Generations (not years).
Some religions claim their god did it so they can claim payment/gratitude/worship for it.
We do not owe Harrisy or any religion for our existence.
Chapter 4
The end
How does it all end?
No one knows. Anyone who says they know, for certain, is lying.
Christinity predicts a bad acid trip. (See Revaluations) Any day now. So buy your ticket to heaven early.
It's an obvious con, You sacrifice this life you already have, for the promise of another life they can't prove.
Science predicts 'Entropy'. Every atom in the universe will drift away from every other till they can't react any more.
But humans will be dead or evolved into something we can't recognize, by then. Too distant, time-wise, to worry about.
Your personal end? What happens when you die?
Most probably nothing.
Seems like every religion has a different 'afterlife'. They can't all be right. (but they can all be wrong)
You can't pick the one you want. If an 'afterlife' exists it is what it is. WE can't control it. No cult can control it.
The cults are telling you what you want to hear. So you give your CURRENT LIFE to their cult. The life that is certain, in exchange for an empty promise.
No guarantees, No refunds, You won't get your old life back if they are wrong (or lying).
Pascal's gamble is a sucker bet. It never pays out.
Harrisy aims to make This Current Life better, worth living for it's own sake. We give priority to This Current Life over any theoretical 'afterlife'.
Chapter 5
Everybody's favorite topic: SEX
What's the point of Sexual Taboos?
Why would an IMORTAL (non-sexual, non-reproducing) being give a damn?
For example in the christian cult:
*Masturbation is sin,
*Spilling your seed outside the womb is sin,
*Marrying outside the church is sin,
*Divorce is sin,
*Birth Control is sin,
*Abortion is sin,
*Marriages without offspring are invalid.
*Brand (circumcise) your males, so your females know who they are allowed to mate with,
And in Is-lame, Women are just sexual slaves.
Taken as a whole,
The only purpose served by sexual taboos, is to help the CULT out-populate rival cults.
A REAL "creator god" wouldn't give a damn. Or Wouldn't need our cooperation. it would just create more of us, as needed.
A REAL creator wouldn't threaten us, it would just change us.
Sexual Taboos are serving a cult, not a god.
Harrisy has only one sexual taboo:
Rule G) Do not rape.
Do not force yourself on others. Your pleasures are not more important than other people's.
Chapter 6
The 2000 year war
The Abrahamic religions have been at war with each other for about 2000 years. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold.
But like some other religions, at all times attempting to be 'the one true religion'. And by their competition, doing more harm than good.
And the Abrahamic religions haven't even shown that the 'good' stuff needs their religion to get done.
They preach that it is somehow noble or their duty to spread their faith. ("Onward Christian Soldiers")
There are dangers associated with proselytism and/or evangelicalism:
(Please note - I had help with the following)
Focus on Conversion over Service:
Proselytism/evangelicalism prioritizes conversion goals over humanitarian or service-oriented activities.
This undermines the credibility and effectiveness of religious organizations engaged in charitable work,
as it is perceived as conditional or insincere.
Dogmatism and Exclusivity:
Evangelicalism/proselytism promotes a rigid, dogmatic interpretation of religious beliefs that excludes other perspectives.
This exclusivity leads to intolerance of differing viewpoints and hinders constructive dialogue and cooperation with people of other faiths or worldviews.
Coercion and Manipulation:
Proselytism/evangelicalism involves coercion, manipulation, or exploitation of vulnerable individuals,
such as offering material incentives or exploiting power differentials to induce conversion.
This raises ethical concerns about respect for autonomy and informed consent.
Political Activism:
Evangelicalism/proselytism has been associated with political movements that prioritize specific social or moral issues, leading to controversy and polarization.
this politicization blurs the lines between religion and politics, compromising the integrity of both.
Interfaith Tensions:
Proselytism/evangelicalism contributes to interfaith tensions and conflicts, especially when it is aggressive or disrespectful to members of other religious communities.
It will undermine efforts to foster mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation among different faith traditions.
Fragmentation of Communities:
Proselytism/evangelicalism leads to the fragmentation or division of communities, particularly in contexts where multiple religious groups coexist.
This creates social tensions and weaken social cohesion, especially when proselytism is conducted in a confrontational or divisive manner.
Proselytization and Missionary Work:
We are concerned about aggressive or coercive methods used in proselytization/evangelicalism efforts,
especially when targeting vulnerable populations or in multicultural contexts.
This leads to cultural imperialism or disrespect for the autonomy of individuals and communities.
Cultural Insensitivity:
Proselytism/evangelicalism disregards or disrespects the cultural and religious traditions of the target community.
This leads to cultural imperialism or colonialism, especially when proselytism/evangelicalism is conducted in contexts where there is a history of exploitation or marginalization.
Misrepresentation or Simplification of Beliefs:
Proselytism/evangelicalism involves oversimplification or misrepresentation of religious beliefs and practices in order to make them more appealing to potential converts.
This leads to misunderstandings or misconceptions about the beliefs and traditions of the proselytizing religion.
For these reasons we conscientious objectors to the religious war, need an uncompetitive religion like Harris-y.
But don't push it.
Chapter 7
Humans and gods
Why do human religions have gods that are all too human?
A creator of everything that needs humans to wright/publish a holy book?
An all powerful god who needs humans to promote him?
An all powerful god with a vindictive human sized ego?
An immortal who is obsessed with human reproduction?
An all powerful god who needs humans more than we need him?
Any actual god wouldn't need human religion.
Harrisy serves humans, not gods.
Chapter 8
Parables
Corn In A Cow Patty.
Finding truth in the Abrahamic holy books,
is like finding corn in a cow patty.
Sure there are some good kernels in there,
but is it really worth digging through the shit to find them?
You can find uncontaminated kernels of truth anywhere.
Chapter 9
Feedback
Feedback should be sent to: zachharris@mail2hell.com
Don't expect a timely reply.

Let's keep this fast and light...the Dawi have been and continue to be my favorite race in virtually every facet of the game, and all Thrones of Decay managed to do was reinforce that fact. As such, I wanted to take some time to denote what changes really worked well for them as well as a few improvements I'd love to see down the line.
The MVPs

• Malakai -- As one of the bannermen for the Grimm Burloksson train, I was disappointed to get Malakai, but I must admit I was wrong about him. He's a ton of fun, completely loved his campaign and his mechanics are fresh and feel very much in line with how the lore paints his general vibe. Also, gotta love that accent.
• Flame Cannons -- The adjustments to the arc, the look and impact of the ammunition and the recent hotfix (re)bolstering the range have truly made running flame cannons more than worth the cost. For those curious, tack on a Rune of Seeking and you will, quite literally, melt enemy armies...10/10, high recommendation.
• Gyrocopters -- The Dawi version of cavalry are seriously impactful now...the Brimstone Guns crush it against lightly armored ranged units as well as the rear of any enemy line, the Trollhammer Grudge Settler variant completely demolishes large entities and the Gyrobombers are insanely useful.
• Thunderbarges -- Not much to say here that hasn't been said already...the minor adjustments in Hotfix 5.0.3 definitely helped the overpowered nature some had come pointed out, but still a massively killer Tier V unit and the true centerpiece of ToD.
• Slayers -- I'll note that I was less than enthusiastic about the addition of so many slayer units (three of the five units in ToD plus Garagrim, the generic lord and the generic hero), but every single one offers a unique purpose while also fleshing out that area of the infantry roster. Ungrim feels *complete* now and it's so incredibly satisfying to run him with his son and a full roster of slayers into battle and just watch them go to town...before his buffs felt mostly useful for his army plus a couple units here or there, but now there's some absolute utility to entire stacks led by Daemonslayers and Dragonslayers.
• Oathgold -- The changes to how some buildings work have been great (no more needing one building to recruit a unit from another, love that adjustment), but one in particular stands out: oathgold production. You need more of it than ever with the tech tree rework, and the new infrastructure complements that style well.
• The Age of Reckoning -- The 15-turn timer PLUS the major changes to how grudges are calculated really improved the whole concept, so hats off to CA again on that quick fix. And while I still feel like the system needs a bit of fine-tuning (for example, if you ever manage to hit 100 percent before the timer runs out, the age should just...end, ensuring you don't: A) sit around for the timer to run out to settle some more grudges, or B) waste settling grudges on a capped out AoR), we're still leagues beyond where the base Dawi mechanics were pre-Thrones of Decay.
• Other Minor Adjustments -- Many too numerous to count...the top improvements that come to mind include how Trollhammer Torpedoes operate (the VFX, the damage, the range), the VFX of flame cannons and Irondrakes as well as Dwarf Warriors moving to settlement recruitment versus requiring a barracks.

Areas of Improvement

• Lack of Ranged Generic Lord -- While I believed this before ToD, the existence of Malakai ironically enough drove this point home...the Dawi lack a generic ranged lord, and that addition would completely solidify their roster. Now, I still maintain they should somehow pair this addition with Grimm Burloksson as a legendary lord, but the primary point is the fact that a generic Engineer Guildmaster would fill that final hole in the lord lineup available for the Dawi. I just hated running Malakai (a pure ranged lord with buffs to artillery) and then being forced to recruit either a melee specialist (Dwarf Lord), a melee specialist (Daemonslayer) or a support-focused lord (Runelord) who most of the time operates as a melee specialist to lead his faction's other armies...that ranged option feels like a necessity.
• Legendary Grudges -- I'll note that the 10 legendary grudges are excellent and I love the system, but I have had consistent issues with those grudges getting 'aborted' mid-game...I'm confident this is a bug due to confederation or something, but would love to see that solved.
• Confederation -- Not sure if this mechanic is intentional or not, but I definitely don't think the confederation of minor Dwarf factions should affect your confederation grudge total for the other legendary lords...right now that serves as such a major deterrent from standard confederation.
• Karak Azorn -- Still feels...empty. And makes a lot of sense for a future Dawi start down the line, would love to Burloksson take up shop in Azorn as an early-game opponent for Grimgor, Greasus and Drazhoath and an order-focused ally for Cathay up in the Mountains of Mourn.

If you haven't tried the Dawi yet, I encourage you to do so...they're excellent, and if you enjoy solid gunpowder, high-end armored infantry and blokes rambling on in Scottish accents, you'll love them.

Hi, I am 38 (F) and have been with my husband since we were 19. We have 3 children 9, 7 and 5.
I feel like my husand is emotionally unavailable and very passive aggressive. He is very selfish and seems to be motivated by his own needs. I have my own issues especially anger..I get triggered often (I am doing therapy) and am often irritable. I take on too much and operate out of guilt alot and am generally just exhausted.
I will drop the kids in the morning as he starts work early...and he picks them up in the afternoon. Mornings are really tough with getting them ready, lunches, out the door and he just kinda of dissapears..'working' or going to the toilet or whatever..and I am left stressing with them all (1 of them has adhd)..he does help but can be very selective- enough so I cant say you don't help (because he'll say he did xyz) but really just not enough,.not like we are a team. . I just feel he could be more helpful. In the afternoon he picks them up while I cook (I also work in the same position and same hours).
While he isn't busy at work (he's says he has no work and spends lots of time doing non-work related things).. he won't make an effort to prep for dinner or tidy up a little..he will exercise for an hour or so and then showechill
He will generally take bins out, clean etc ..it isn't consistent and only when he feels like it.
In the evenings he will do a similar thing..pick up the kids, bring them home then disappear upstairs to 'work'
At bedtime he'll never do special time with them (I do 15mins per child each night)...he will go in the shower and mainly leave me to it.
He will never do homework or take an active part in their eduction...that is on me.
He will take them to clubs and he will also play football with them (I feel like this is because it benefits him physically)
He is generally alot calmer than me..I will often lose my shit with the kids and he always handles them better.
He is always physically affectionate with me...but I almost dislike him very much and don't want to be near him. He'll try it on in the evenings and I always say no. I am gernally off with him and he has said I feel like you hate me. I have explained and have almost filed for a divorce but he changes and I feel like I imagined it all....during these time I am able to be affectionate as the resentment just goes and ge feels like a different person. He's also very selective with his affection. As an example we went holiday and every opportunity we got to sit alone he would go sit in the further away from me as it was more 'comfortable' or because he wants tl keep an eye on the kids (not true)....like he's physically affectionate but not emotionally.
On the outside he is perfect to everyone, they always say oh your hsuand he's always so active with the kids etc and I seem like I am the one that's always shouting at the kids or being annoyed at him.
He is now not talking to me..he does this thing where he pretends i don't exist for a while. I don't see the point in talking to him..in the past it's always hurt when he's ignored me and I've asked him not to do that. But this time I'm glad he isn't pestering me. I am hurt though and just want him to go. But I know he won't. He will change and then be all nice to the kids etc and make even me think it's my fault.
I spend so much time being confused. I feel its on me...like I am ungrateful and unappreciative for the things he does do, but I cant shake off the resentment and can't just be ok with him. I feel like he manipulates me and situations but I can't put my finger on it or explain. I feel like it isn't sufficient grounds for a divorce (I am Catholic and divorce is generally a no-go) but I think I dislike him. Over the years he has hurt me so much and I just don't trust that he does anything for anyone but himself.

My bf and I went through a hard patch. He has no one for family love and as a Hispanic family that I have, they love him like his own. He admit he’s a bit jealous of how my mom is sweet to me. His mom is a drug abuse and alcoholic. She told her two sons (my bf and his brother) that they were failed abortions when they were 8, The mother “Sania” was raised by her father who was in WW2 military and a stepmom who was always flying and both parents didn’t give her love but only money. Sania became a drugie and the husband stole 30K and left her because Sania was cheating on him with another drugie. At least that’s what I’ve been told. Both drugies didn’t care about the kids but instead they put them in a room and locked them with no food like animals. At Age 16 my bf escaped the house with his brother and came to their step grandma because she was all they had/knew. One day, his grandma who raised them since 16 died and Sania came, not to see the old lady dying but to steal some jewelry because she was known for being a drug abuse. She brought her pets (2 big dogs, 3 jellyfish, 2 birds and 1 fish) and car, her 2 kids because she became pregnant of the drugie age 25, and she brought her new Puerto Rico bf too, as if she was moving in. My bf wanted me to be with him through hard times but I had school and he didn’t, I had my job but he quit his. I was exhausted and I was there in the hospital when I could, and so were some of my fam members. My family didn’t have to see him, they did it out of heart. You must know I do not drive because of my mental illness. And I can’t take Ubers because I don’t trust them if I have a seizure. Anyway, The operated day I was at home didn’t wanted to see him because I was exhausted emotionally and who knew if all my emotions came out and I could have a seizure. He got mad and broke down and spoke to Sania that I wasn’t there. The next day, I came to the hospital and Sania in front of him, his brother, said quietly “fat cow” quietly that only I could hear. I’m 5’8 and I weight 149 so Im in a good shape. I said “sorry for not coming to the operation”. Then she said out loud “everything that your boyfriend said and what you’ve done is a disappointment, we will talk later”. I said “yes”. Acting as if she was my mom. My bf didn’t defend or said anything to her. He stayed quiet looking at his grandma in hospital bed. Don’t forget I apologized the same day of the operation for not seeing him through text. His mom spoke bad about me to him and telling him to dump me, until I dumped him. I couldn’t take hearing all his problems it was causing me anxiety. He apologized to me 3 months after his grandma death. And his mother left our city and I didn’t want him back until he brought me flowers, we hanged out and it felt normal. He joined an academy. So I accepted him back. It turned out he was going to another girl’s house behind my back with 2 more guys. I know I shouldn’t have checked his phone but he was being secretive. He stopped talking to her and I never knew if he cheated but he was “30 min from Orlando” at least that’s what the message said with hearts. And he met her parents. We’re together it’s been up and down. But we’re loving each other and going on dates. I’m still with him and he’s taking bout kids with me and we’re only 21/22🤨.

Hey Everyone I've recently started a wholesale real estate business. I operate in NJ, PA and NY. I have the network for cash buyers. I've bought and paid for about 2000 leads and have an ISA cold calling them through mojo.
What metrics have you seen the best return on? For example Length of ownership, owner occupied, Equity Etc.... Any advice?

Not sure how to describe this.
I'm looking for a tool that I can, for example, plug into an outlet (or a lamp socket?) in a room in one far corner of a home and then when I am in the basement flipping breakers alert me when that outlet loses power.
Certainly such a tool exists, right?

hi everyone, I m quite new to ArchiCad, was in general using Revit but decided to learn ArchiCAD as well.
while doing a new project I noticed that in comparison I wasnt able to properly adjust walls or anything really.
For example if I have a rectangle room and I wanted to add a new wall across that room, I would need to catch the edge of the room, move the mouse to the direction of the new wall and type in the distance, than I can make the wall at the distance I want. is that the only way to do it? cause in comparison in revit, I simply add a measurment, select the wall and simply type in the distance that walls needs to have from the other walls.
thanks in advance!

Previous Part
“I knew it, I knew he’d pull something like that!”
Was the only thought running through my head as I watched Keith get forced into the truck outside. I was scared for Keith and I was angry, that kind of anger you feel in the pit of your stomach. Not at Keith though, my fury was directed at myself for freezing again. I just sat in the window and watched him get taken. Headache or not I should’ve done something, anything! Instead I just sat there and watched, powerless as always. My first instinct was to go running back home, maybe Frank and Stein could help somehow. Imagine my surprise when I walked in the door and they were looking for me. Well maybe I wasn’t to surprised, I hadn’t told them I didn’t plan on coming back home when I left yesterday.
“Bianca! We were just going to come looking for you, Keith had this idea and… are you alright?”
Frank asked, concern covering his face like a shadow. I must’ve looked like a mess, and the hot wet feeling on my face told me I’d started crying at some point on my way over as well.
“Are you ok? Did something happen?”
Frank repeated in his best fatherly voice. I could barley stammer out the words.
“Keith… gone… they took him.”
My babbling was enough though, realization shown on both their faces. Stein said something to Frank that I couldn’t hear then they nodded to each other.
“He was almost spot on with the timing. Well we best start getting around to do our part then.”
Stein said in his usual uncaring and mildly haughty manner. I don’t know why but it really boiled my blood this time. Keith was gone and he’s just moving on with things?
“Does no-one care about what just happened?! We agreed to look out for him and what did we do? Nothing!”
I screamed at no-one in particular. Those two just gave me a look like I was a misbehaving child.
“We’ve done what we could Bianca, besides Keith is the one who suggested what we’re about to do next.”
Frank stated, in an even and calm tone that made me stop and realize how ridiculous I was acting. Freaking out wouldn’t get us anywhere, even though I really wanted to. So I took a deep breath and stepped back for a second to collect myself.I hated to admit it but in a way their cold, calculating, order of operations approach would probably help here. Those two would never crack under pressure like me. While they didn’t talk about it, I’m sure they’d seen far worse working with the government.
Stein was rushing around looking for car keys when I came back into the kitchen. Frank however, stopped what he was doing to come over to me. I held up my hand to stop him when he opened his mouth to say something.
“No, you don’t have to try and convince me, I’ll come with you. What was Keith’s plan anyways? What did he put you guys up to?”
I asked, much calmer than before but still a little on edge. I couldn’t help but to feel at least a little responsible for what happened to Keith. I know it wasn’t my fault but I came with him for a reason. As much fun as last night had been I wasn’t taking it seriously. I should’ve stayed up to watch for Shaoni, maybe looked around for something she left when she was there before. Regardless, I had to be better next time.
“Keith thought that maybe someone from the reservation a little while outside town may have heard legends about Shaoni. She’s the Thunderbird, that’s an important figure in their stories and legends. Being so close to where she had been sleeping for years he thought there might be a connection. So he asked us to go out and ask around.”
Stein answered me before Frank had a chance to, walking into the room and tossing a jacket my way.
“And put this on, its cold out there.”
It was actually funny how often Stein tried to care and actually came off as so much colder. Almost like he was doing it because he had to, not because he actually cared about me.
“Don’t mind him, he’s just stressed with everything going on lately.”
Frank explained, trying to comfort me. He was right of course, but it didn’t change the fact that it still rubbed me the wrong way.
Ten minutes later I was in the car headed out toward the reservation. It wasn’t a very eventful ride and the pine trees didn’t make for great scenery, I’d seen it all before anyways. Frank and Stein were quiet the whole time and we couldn’t find Rocco before we left. Part of me wondered where he was and part of me didn’t want to know. This gave my mind time to wander and I found myself thinking my life before meeting Frank and Stein. It was weird, I usually tried not to think about it at all but something had brought those memories roaring back. Probably due to Keith asking about it the other day. No-one ever seemed to care about that, my past that is. Every now and then I’d get bored and wander around town. Someone might come up to me and talk but not like Keith did. The only real questions they asked were usually something along the lines of “What’re you doing tonight?” And other variations of that. They were usually looking for something I had no interest in. Sometimes it wasn’t entirely their choice to talk to me. I’d just use my powers simply to have a conversation with someone. Keith actually cared about me though, at least I think so.
A loud honk broke me out of my trance, we had arrived on the reservation. The improvised trailer park we’d arrived in wasn’t much to look at. A dog or two ran around the cluttered ground, free from any sort of leash. An older car missing most of the front end sat raised on a few blocks of concrete. The trailers themselves were run down and rusted. Despite the sorry sight of the place three men sat around a fire, laughing and generally having a great time. The trio looked up as we walked over, recognition passing over their faces. We must’ve looked out of place here in our shiny SUV and Frank and Stein’s three piece suits. Those two were always overdressed when they went out. The only place they fit in was the lab and they seemed more than fine with that.
“Stein! Is that you?”
Exclaimed the man on the left, standing to meet us. He looked happy to see Stein, though I had never seen the guy before in my life. Which meant he must’ve been a friend from before I knew Stein.
“My friend! How have you been? Have you had any difficulties with your… condition.”
Stein replied, cutting his eyes at the other two men like he didn’t trust them.
“They know old friend, no need to beat around the bush here.”
He had to have some supernatural abilities, that’s the only way Stein knew anyone. The question was, what was he?
The man’s name was Sam, Frank told me as we joined the men at the fire. I asked him for more, like what he meant by condition but he wouldn’t budge. Condition usually meant supernatural but a lot of them just looked like normal people. I’m sure everyone has some picture of a succubus in their head and I’m… not that. So I couldn’t even begin to guess at what Sam’s “condition” was.
“So what brings you out here Stein? I hate to say it, but I never expected to see you again.”
Sam said, trying to be as friendly as possible while ultimately telling Stein he didn’t really want him here. He didn’t feel nervous, that much I sensed for sure. No, it was fear that drove him to try and push Stein away, but what did he have to be afraid of?
“I assure you I’ll be gone before I overstay my welcome. I just have a few questions I’d like answers to. It’s entirely possible that you know nothing as well, in which case I’ll be gone even sooner. But you wouldn’t lie to me just to see me gone, now would you?”
Stein almost threatened, some of the friendliness slipping out of his voice. There was more going on here than what I could see or even sense. I’ve got a really good sense of what people are feeling at any given time but the context of those feelings can get lost on me. Sam was feeling fear, way too much fear for the situation. Maybe he knew what Stein was going to ask but I couldn’t tell for sure. I looked to the two scientists, cutting my eyes from Frank to Stein trying to see if they wanted me to step in and calm them down.
“Stein… I can’t… if she knew I talked to you she’d come here. The things I’ve done… what you helped me stop doing. She wouldn’t see it that way if she came here… she would…”
Sam blubbered out, completely losing his composure before Stein raised a hand and cut him off.
“She? You mean Shaoni, we’re aware of what’s going on. We still do have some questions about her though, ones I hope you have answers to.”
At the mention of her name all three men shot up, so I stepped forward. Frank protested but he was to slow to stop me. It’s difficult to describe how I can make people do what I want, these days I just kind of will it to happen and it does. I can force an emotion, or a feeling onto someone else by imagining it myself and projecting it onto them. Frank and Stein think it has something to do with pheromones my body produces. These pheromones can induce certain emotions or feelings if I want them too. In this case I wanted these men to feel tired, cooperative, compliant, and that’s just what they became. Just as soon as they tried to stand they buckled to their knees. I was pushing a little to hard so I eased up a bit, I didn’t want to just put them to sleep or something. Sam got back to his feet and sat down in his chair as the others did the same.
“I’d like to know about Shaoni, The full story, as much as you know.”
I commanded more than asked Sam as he just nodded towards me, a vacant look in his eyes.
“Where should I start exactly little lady?”
Sam asked me, his tone a mix of nervous and compliant.
“I want to know what you know about her, all of it, then we’ll go.”
I answered, trying to ignore the looks Frank and Stein were giving me. They knew I was taking a risk, he didn’t want to share what he knew so I was forcing it out of him. He wanted to tell me now but it wasn’t really “him”. I was in his head, and while he wasn’t going to fight me on anything now, I was sure a part of him was screaming deep down. Fighting desperately to keep his mouth shut to avoid the consequences of telling me anything. I tried not to think about what I was doing to him as Sam began his story.
“Well to start her name wasn’t always Shaoni, It’s hard to keep one name when you’ve lived as long as her. Her name meant “Stormcaller” as near as it translates to your language. She was an elder in a long forgotten tribe in what you know as Canada today. She was renowned for her ability to over see trials and solve debates among her people, always able to set right apart from wrong. The exact name and place of her tribe have been lost to the ages but I do know that it was wiped out. As the story goes the tribe met its end at the hands of “explorers”, all save for Stormcaller were killed. She fled far into the forests and eventually stumbled upon four spirits, the original Thunderbirds. At this time they were still great spirits, created by Nanabozho. Those spirits took pity on Stormcaller, allowing her to live with them in the four corners of the world. With them she learned many things, how to fight, how to think as only a spirit can, and most of all she sharpened her already formidable sense of justice. That need to see justice done, and the proper sense to see what was right from what was wrong is what lead the chief of the Thunderbird spirits to bind itself to her, giving her the powers she’s said to have today, letting her exist as spirit and man made one.
The other Thunderbird spirits eventually followed this example, choosing representatives of their own, each representing an Ideal: Courage, so that our people would never falter in the face of adversity. Solidarity, so that, divided as they may be at times our people were one at heart. Duty, so that our people would never forget their place in the world and the customs and traditions we upheld. Finally there was Justice to lead them all, so that no wrong would be left to stand, and so that one among the ideals would keep the rest in check. These four formed a council that watched over our people for many years.
As imperialism grew in the world and more crimes were committed against their people this council became more and more warlike. Often Stormcaller, now simply known as Justice spearheaded these actions. She sought to right the wrongs committed against her people and hold all responsible accountable for their actions. In accordance with her duties as the embodiment of justice for our people. This war of hers would prove to be her downfall, every day her sense of justice became more absolute, more black and white. She stopped consulting the council to help guide her decisions, believing she and she alone knew what was best for her people and fellow ideals. One thing that changed when the Thunderbird spirits bound themselves was their immutability. As a spirt nothing could harm them, they were eternal, they were and always would be. But once they had become one with a man they could be ended, They would live forever but man’s mortality meant they could be killed unlike before. Something Justice would learn for herself in time.
As her warlike nature grew, Justice began to involve the ideals in open conflict with those who sought to take their peoples land and desecrate their way of life. Eventually Solidarity fell in battle, and those who saw him fall learned of the greater forces at play. These people sought to learn the truth of the power the had seen from Solidarity and doubled their intrusions into sacred land, searching for answers. Suddenly the hunters had become the hunted, perhaps if Justice had not clung so tightly to her convictions everything would’ve ended differently. Instead Justice doubled down on her pursuit to right every wrong she could lay her eyes upon, spurred on by the death of Solidarity. Eventually Courage fell and so to did Duty, only hardening Justice’s resolve. It was only when she revealed herself to her people one day and they fled from her, afraid of what she would do. Afraid that they to had committed some wrong that she sought to right in her own violent way. This reception forced Justice to realize what she had allowed herself to become. Justice had become Vengeance, lost in anger for wrongs she could never hope to right she had lost herself, becoming something else entirely.
She shed her name, her duties, her people and disappeared into the world. Watching what would come for her people broke her. She had lost what she sought to guide and guard, let the people the Thunderbird spirits sought to protect so long ago fall to ruin. Her need to see justice done never left her, but what was once a raging inferno became nothing more than a spark. If she came across one that had escaped justice, hidden their tracks or found a way out she would know. She would right the smaller wrongs of the world in her own way, stoking what remained of the flame within and finding her own purpose in the world. Eventually she would take on a new name, Shaoni, why I do not know but it is what she choose. Her sense of justice was still absolute, she saw no shades of grey just right and wrong. But the scale of her judgment was reduced, no longer would she try and right every wrong the world had to offer but only those she could reach. The world is a dark place though, and sometimes a lesser evil can ease pain. Shaoni didn’t see lesser evil as something she could abide and so her judgements often left more pain in their place. She grew weary of her pursuit once again, seeing how little she had changed and how much pain she had brought. She chose to settle down and remove herself from the world. Shaoni would never be able to die, not from the passing of time. She could remove herself from the equation in a cave not to far from where we stand now.”
Sam’s story hurt to listen too, in some ways it only seemed like Shaoni did what she thought was right. Yet time and time again she failed to see shades of grey, and that cost her everything. It made me think of who I was years ago in a way, not that I was some all powerful spirit thing like her but still. What would Shaoni think of the person I was? How would she judge me for my actions before I meet Frank and Stein? I certainly wasn’t a saint, but did that mean I couldn’t be better? I shook my head, now wasn’t the time to think of things like that. I stopped forcing Sam to answer my question, leaving him to his own devices. There was always some lingering effects after I… did my thing. I’m not sure how exactly it felt for them but I don’t imagine it was pleasant. Realizing you weren’t really in control of yourself has a way of causing issues for a person. Sam seemed to be shaking it off pretty well though, I’d seen worse things happen after I’d finished with someone, like Keith losing hours of time sitting in the kitchen. Playing with emotions can cause stress in the brain, especially since I’m forcing an emotion or feeling on them. More than once I’d seen someone left with uncontrollable swings in mood or a complete lack of emotion or feeling of any sort because of me. I hopped that wasn’t going to happen again here.
“Bianca what was that!”
Frank complained, finally breaking free of the spell the situation had cast over him. He ran over to the other two men that hadn’t gotten up from their chairs like Sam. Worry crashed over me like a wave as I realized why Frank sounded so concerned. One of the men was seizing on the ground, his body shaking violently as spasms coursed through him, had I done that? Sam was in a blissfully ignorant sate, he just sat in his chair watching the fire, unaware of what was happening to his friend. Frank and Stein leapt into action, holding the seizing man on the ground. Stein pulled off his belt and placed it in the mans mouth, trying to keep him from biting himself. My eyes were fixed on the third man who lay motionless on the ground. I took small steady steps toward him, hoping against hope that I could find a pulse. As I got closer I realized his chest was rising and falling. He was alive but who knew what he was going through right now. I felt distant, Frank was yelling something at me but I didn’t catch a word. I had to do it right? I had to make them tell us what they knew, it could help Keith right?
“What did you do to them?”
Sam asked me, apparently free of the aftereffects of my influence. I snapped my head to the side and watched him take a threatening step towards me. I backed away, afraid he might do something rash. I shouldn’t have done that, Stein could’ve convinced them on his own.
“What did you do to them? What’s wrong with them?”
Sam asked again, his voice growing more desperate. Stein picked that moment to appear at my side.
“Sam they’ll be ok just give them a minute. She didn’t mean to hurt you or your friends, just let it go. I’m helping her the same way I helped you, she’s not always in control.”
Sam softened a little bit at that but he was still wary of me. What Stein said was a lie, I had control of my abilities most of the time these days but Sam didn’t know that. Frank walked over to where we were standing with a relieved look on his face.
“They’ll be alright, they just need rest. What about you, are you feeling alright Sam?”
Frank asked, nodding towards him. Sam didn’t answer but it was plain to see he was doing far better than his friends.
“I’d like you all to leave.”
Sam ordered, putting his metaphorical foot down. Whatever favor he owed Stein didn’t matter anymore, he wanted us out. People were beginning to come out of some of the other trailers, gawking at the scene in front of them. As the three of us were leaving Sam said one more thing,
“Stein, this makes us even.”
He growled in an even but angry tone. You could just tell he was staring daggers at us the whole way back to the SUV. I turned back for a moment and I could’ve sworn his skin was wriggling and changing. Like he was just barley holding back something. What concerned me even more was what he felt, not anger or worry, but fear.
The ride back was less than pleasant. You know that feeling when you’ve done something wrong but no one really wants to address it yet? Yeah, that’s what was going on here, the air was practically electric.
“We needed him to talk…”
Stein cut me off immediately, shouting,
“Sometimes you don’t need to help! Look… I know you meant well but you can hurt people with that power of yours. I’ve never seen it that bad before but then again you’ve never done it to a group of people that long. Who knows what longterm consequences it might have. Just… be more careful in the future.”
Stein wasn’t as angry as he tried to appear, part off him was even relived, maybe because I had been the one to handle the situation instead of him.
“I know, I know its just… Keith is stuck out there at that mine with her, I couldn’t leave with nothing.”
I agreed, He was right, it was a risk but how could I have just let it be? No-one else was going to look out for him so that fell on us now. As much as I hated having to force things out of people I was good at it, really good. Despite how I felt about what I could do to people that was the easiest way to get Sam to speak back there.
“Where did this whole drive to help Keith come from anyways? A few days ago you talk him into watching the house and throw some money, our money, at him for the trouble. I’ve seen you do that a few times before with others so you could come with us when we went to stock up on things. Regardless of our misgivings surrounding your methods. So it didn’t go that well this time and he found out about you and us. Something like that was bound to happen eventually. What I can’t picture is why you go out of your way to help him. I don’t personally have any issue with you jumping to his defense. Its not too hard to understand why someone would, considering his situation. But for you, well it seems out of character for you.”
Frank chimed in with a question of his own. I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it hurt to see him so surprised that I’d consider helping another person.
I never answered Frank’s question, I thought about it a lot the rest of the way back though. Why was I so intent on helping Keith? All my life I’d done things just to survive, even when I was really young I had to find a way to get by on my own. Sure I had my mother but she had her hands full with her own life. She didn’t have much after my father left and did everything she could to make ends meet. I just tried to stay out of her way and help where I could. I never complained when she forgot to make dinner, or when there just wasn’t food around the house. I’d just go without or take what I needed from someone else. Even back then I knew it was wrong but I always had looks on my side. Combine that with pity and not a lot of people would say no to the cute hungry kid. After Brooke, I only had myself and I just kept doing what I needed to. This was different though, I didn’t have to help Keith but I wanted to help him all the same. I didn’t get around town much and I always felt like I just existed around Frank and Stein. With Keith I wasn’t just this thing lying around the house, I was a person, a friend even. That was it, the first time it really clicked for me, Keith was my friend, not because I had wanted him to be or because I made him think he was. No, he was actually there for me and it was all his choice. I didn’t have to puppet him around myself, he actually wanted to be there. I didn’t have to wonder if it was just me and everything I could do pulling him in. For the first time in years someone had actually cared enough to ask about me, Frank and Stein never really did because they knew how much it hurt. Keith didn’t know how much it hurt to talk about but still. I needed to actually talk about all that happened to me with someone who listened for real.
Coming to that realization only made me want to do something stupid. Like run up to that mine and try to get Keith out of there myself. But that’s exactly what it was, stupid. If we wanted to get Keith back we’d need something better than just me. We’d need a real plan, one I’d just started thinking of. There was something else eating at me to. Keith had offered to take some burden from Shaoni back in Imalone, I had an idea what it might be and it scared me. If I was right well, Keith was in more danger than we all thought.
When we pulled back into the driveway Tuck was waiting at the door.
“Where’ve Y’all been?! I been lookin’ for ya damn near all afternoon! Somein’ happened o’re at Keith’s place, He’s gone. I cain’t find that “lab assistant” of yours neither.”
Tuck said hurriedly, his southern accent that he usually tried to hide seeping out into his words.
“We know, it was those trials he told us about. I presume he told you as well then?”
Stein informed him as he got out of the car and marched towards the door, barely making eye contact. Stein had an idea, I could read it all over him. He got this way when he was away from home and wanted too test something, once he was back there was no standing between him and his lab.
“Yeah, the kid told me something like that. Would explain where all those people were goin’ to. Couple of the regulars in town, ones I know look up to that damn bird, left this morning headin’ towards the old mines.”
Tuck spoke to no one in particular, nodding to himself as if to check off the fact that Keith disappearing and people leaving town were two related things.
“Why don’t you come in then, you might be able to help out with the situation. We just learned a few things about this… “damn bird” of yours. I really would’ve appreciated if you told us about that years ago. Perhaps you’d like to tell us what you know of the Thunderbird in the lab?”
Stein ordered rather than asked, pointing to the door for no more than a moment before continuing on his march to the basement. Frank and I filed in after them but I didn’t join them in the lab.
I looked around the house for Rocco but couldn’t find a trace. It wasn’t like him not to leave some trail of destruction in his wake. Well hidden or not, we usually found evidence of whatever he was up to but this time there was nothing. I had no clue where he’d gotten off to, maybe I was better off not knowing. After I gave up I joined the others in the basement, to their surprise I actually had decided to make an appearance. Frank and Stein were a little rattled at first but soon went back to their work. Tuck just beamed at me proudly, like he knew something I didn’t. We set about comparing notes on Shaoni, and separating fact from fiction based on Frank and Stein’s many years working with the supernatural. It was… nice, in a family bonding kind of way. Keith had brought us all together, gave these scientist a new problem to solve. Gave Tuck a chance for some kind of justice for the friends he’d lost in the mine collapse all those years ago. For me, he’d brought me together with the family I’d fallen in with. Strange as they were, this was my family, or at least the closest thing I had to it. I had to help, not just for Keith but for them. I’d been a burden, scared to go outside, hateful of what I could do despite using it to make life easier for myself. Worst of all I’d been stuck in my own head, I’d gone through awful things, done awful things, used my body and my charm to get through life. I’d been every bit as evil as Brooke had been to me. I did everything he’d done to me to others, only it was so much easier for me to do it. I hate myself for it, maybe I always would, but I couldn’t let that stop me now. I had to set all that aside and be there for the people in my life, I had to be a person again, not just hope everyone would treat me like one.

Previous Part
At some Point Bianca and I both fell back asleep. It was all I could do at this point, getting whisked away back to those mines seemed inevitable so I might as well sleep. The morning did not go well, largely due to Bianca, who threw me off the couch with a scream when she woke up.
“What’re you doing!”
Bianca squeaked, hand darting towards her pants pocket where her dagger would usually be. I woke up very quickly somewhere between the couch and the floor. I was fully awake by the time I was pushing myself back to me feet, raising my hands in a gesture of surrender.
“What’s going on?! You’re fine you just fell asleep on my couch!”
“Why were you… why was I?”
“Hey, calm down alright. We had a few drinks last night and I guess we both fell asleep on the couch together, that’s all that happened.”
I explained, leaving out the part where she pulled me back when I tried to go to my own room earlier.
“Yeah… yeah ok. Ugh my head is killing me.”
Bianca groaned, taking a breath or two then putting her head in her hands. I didn’t have the heart to tell her she was probably hungover so I just went to the kitchen to make something for her.
I decided on toast and some bananas, it was always a go to for me after a long night. In hindsight I probably should’ve seen her reaction coming. Look at what she did in the caves because that guy grabbed her, it can’t be that much better waking up on someones shoulder and not quite remembering it. The whole thing did give me second thoughts though. If she was such a live wire did I really want her stressing out over the trials and whatever that would bring? I suppose it was too late for that though, she’d already moved herself into my house so she could keep watch, for all the good that did seeing as Shaoni waltzed right in last night.
I still had a lot on my mind when the smell of burning toast sobered me up. I swore and ran over to salvage what I could of the blackening toast.
“What’s burning in here?”
Bianca asked a little worry creeping into her voice. She still had her head clasped firmly between her hands as she walked into the kitchen.
“Breakfast”
I replied flatly, holding my arms out to either side gesturing to the mild chaos I was causing. Bianca gave me an questioning, “thanks” and grabbed the plate I had made for her while I tried to think of what to do next. Like it or not, Shaoni had people coming to pick me up and take me back out to those caves today. I had to come up with some kind of game plan and right now, it seemed letting Frank and Stein know was the best idea.
Bianca stayed back at my place nursing her hangover when I left to visit the mad scientist duo. I had no problem with that, in fact it was probably best because I’m sure she would’ve insisted on going with me if she heard I planed to take Shaoni’s “invitation”. I wasn’t sure if Shaoni would let me take Bianca with me and personally I’d rather not push her buttons and try to negotiate bringing a plus one.
“Have you seen Bianca at all?”
Frank asked hurriedly as I came in. I was afraid of this, She hadn’t told them anything and just disappeared.
“Yeah, she pretty much moved the contents of her room to my couch yesterday. Something about keeping an eye on me, she’s fine though, I wouldn’t worry.”
I answered, a little worried myself that I’d catch hell from them if they knew she was currently working her way through her first hangover on that same couch. Frank seemed to calm down at that and finally got to asking the important questions like why was I back in the house… again.
“So let us get this straight, you just plan to go right to Shaoni?”
Frank and Stein said together in disbelief as the three of us sat at the kitchen table.
“It’s not like I really have a choice in the matter, besides I can’t really fight her if she wants me to go somewhere. If I try a stunt like that things go from bad to worse for me.”
They both shook their heads in solemn agreement, recognizing I was right.
“Anyways, I had a thought on the way over here, Thunderbirds are something from native American legend right? Well, if we’ve found a real one wouldn’t she have ties to a tribe or something in the area? She was sleeping here when they woke her up in the mine, maybe there was a reason for that, maybe she was close to home?”
I explained, hoping g they’d catch on to what I was asking.
“What exactly are you getting at then Keith?”
Frank questioned, furrowing his brow with an intrigued look on his face. Stein just remained silent but I could tell he was thinking, maybe even coming to the same conclusion as I had.
“What I’m thinking, is we check reservations in the area. Maybe they know something about the creature from their legends that just so happened to be sleeping nearby. I know it’s a stretch but maybe we could learn something useful. I’d go myself but I’m not going to have the chance. You guys though, you guys could take Bianca and Rocco with you and ask around.”
I explained, hoping I was onto something. I was pulling at straws but it was the best idea I had at a moments notice. Plus it would get Bianca out of town for a little while when I was figuring out what exactly Shaoni’s trails would mean for me.
“Keith that’s… no that actually makes sense let me check some maps.”
Stein agreed, walking away and into the basement. He came back a few minutes later with a map in his hand.
“There’s a Seneca reservation not to far from here, maybe 30 miles. That’s not the only one but I have a friend there from years ago, someone I helped. There’s a good chance he’d be willing to return the favor.”
“Great, then I’ll count on you. I’ll let Bianca know, I’m sure she won’t be happy about it but I’ll feel better if she’s with all of you.”
I walked out in a rush to get back home, almost stepping on Rocco on my way to the door. He made a frightening chittering hissing sound at me as he leapt out of my path. I briefly wondered where he was going and what he was up to, probably better I didn’t know though. As I got onto the bike and headed back towards home I hoped I’d be able to talk Bianca into going along with this plan. I was sure she’d rather come with me but after this morning I wasn’t sure she was ready for that. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure she wants to help and I know she means well but she’s jumpy and snaps at the littlest things. I didn’t want her to make things worse by accident or get hurt because she froze up again. My mind was made up as I drew nearer to my house but as it turned out I’d never have the chance to talk to Bianca. As soon as I rounded the corner I saw the rusty pick up waiting in front of my house, I’d arrived just in time to meet Shaoni’s “helpers”.
The men looked normal, just like the people in the cave. Come to think of it they could very well be those same people. I waved them over as I came to a stop in-front of the house.
“Can I just go in and grab a few things?”
I asked the three men sheepishly as I walked up.
“No, your late as it is, we’ve got to get going.”
A scruffy looking man with a gruff voice said from the drivers seat. Two men got out from the back of the truck and grabbed my arms, pulling me into the back seat. They weren’t rough with me but they were very firm. Like they wanted to hurt me but were ordered not to so they just made a show of force. After I was loaded into the back I saw the reason for their demeanor. One of the men, the one in the front passenger seat, was wrapped in bandages. The bandages covered his abdomen and snaked up around the back of his neck. It was pretty obvious to me that this was the man Bianca had stabbed. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say these four were probably the same ones we had encountered in the cave. As I turned and looked out the window I saw Bianca’s face peaking out of it. She looked angry and scared, like she knew exactly what was happening but she didn’t move. Bianca just sat there, watching me be taken away and I cursed myself for not being just a little bit faster on the ride back.
We took a way out of town I’d never seen before, turning away from the road leading to the dirt path we had biked down on our expedition into the forest. Instead we drove back through town, past Bianca’s house and the Eagle’s Roost before hanging a right onto a road I’d never been down. Eventually the road made its way into the forest and ended at a wooden sign warning that the road was impassable ahead. The driver stopped the truck and got out as another man emerged from the woods, holding up his hand and opening it to reveal the eagle tattoo I’d become so familiar with. The driver rolled up his sleeve and showed his own similar tattoo. Without a word he got back into the truck and the other man moved the sign off the road. It didn’t fill me with confidence to see the entrance to this place watched in such a way. It would make sense to have it hidden but being so brazenly out in the open meant they didn't really care who saw it. Not that anyone would think anything other than that the road was impassable but still. The truck eventually pulled off the road and into the woods, following a newly made track that lead to the entrance of the old mine that we escaped from just 2 days ago.
“I think you know your way in.”
The driver growled at me, parking the truck and signaling me to step out.
“Your just letting me walk myself in? Couldn’t I just run?”
“You could but do you think you could outrun her?”
He asked threateningly, pointing up at the sky. I knew exactly who he was talking about and no, I didn’t like my chances of running from Shaoni.
“She gave us all orders to leave any runners to her.”
At that moment I decided it may be good idea to be on my best behavior.
“Yeah that’s what I thought.”
The driver barked back at me as I obediently walked towards the entrance.
Walking into the mine I realized it had undergone a huge transformation in a very short time. The walls were now host to several torches that lit the pathway back down to the coliseum. It felt like I was walking into the dark ages as I made my way down into this pit by torchlight. Although I had to admit it was homey in an “evil layer” kind off way. The coliseum was lit up with torchlight as well but its not what drew my attention. Where the awful metal structure met the stone roof of the cave I looked into a brewing storm. Lightning flashed across the roof but there was no sound of thunder. Raindrops shown in the shadows cast by the lightning but I felt none of them on my skin. I had to admit, it was a pretty impressive trick. Paintings adorned the walls, all of them seeming to be tribal in nature. Many seemed to be various depictions of the thunderbird.
“Well at least she doesn’t have an ego”
I chuckled to myself as I walked into the center off the coliseum.
There were four other people waiting in the center of the floor. A clean shaven, well dressed man relaxed against the wall of the arena. He had perfectly trimmed slicked back blonde hair and a chiseled face. His rippling muscles seemed to be for vanity rather than strength. Just by looking at him I could tell I wasn’t going to like him. The only one of the bunch I knew, Robert, stood on the far side of the coliseum, watching me approach. He looked about the same as he had from the brief glance I got at the Eagle’s Roost. Balding white hair and a unkempt beard hung off his sagging face. Despite his age he carried himself with purpose, like he deserved to be there and wanted everyone else to know it. Then there was the blonde bombshell that was making her way towards the chiseled blonde guy. She seemed incredibly confident in herself but none of it was a show. Her confidence came from a place that made her absolutely sure of it. The final person stood in the corner and seemed to be talking to himself. He was a middle aged man of native American descent with a mess of black hair atop his head. He carried a look in his eyes that spoke of wisdom beyond his years.
I walked past all of them and took a seat on the floor, trying my hardest to ignore them. The effort was ultimately wasted as the muscular blonde guy walked over and held out a hand.
“Hey, my names Brooke, you are?”
My blood turned to ice as he said that, it couldn’t be the same Brooke Bianca told me about, could it? I stared dumbly at him for a moment before I responded.
“I’m… uh… Keith. Any idea what we’re doing here?”
“No clue, only know that the thunderbird wanted us here so we came. Hopefully she makes good on her promise, to me at least.”
His voice sounded like the “to cool for you” bully from any 80’s movie, it was almost annoying to listen to him.
“So you’ve met everyone else I take it?”
“Yeah, the weird guy in the corner is John, we don’t know much about him but apparently him and that Robert guy, the old one with the beard, worked for the thunderbird. Katrina, that beauty over there is a wild card, no-one seems to know anything about her but she looks like she’s hot shit and well, just plain hot.”
As Brooke gave me the run down of everyone in the room I quietly wondered to myself if Shaoni had given everyone the same offer as me. The way Brooke had said it, “promise”… that wasn’t how I would’ve phrased it. Maybe Shaoni cut everyone here a unique deal.
“…Anyways, I’m gonna go see if I can’t figure out that bombshell’s deal, I’ll see ya later Keith.”
Apparently Brooke had been talking to me the whole time but I only tuned in for the tail end of it as he walked off toward Katrina. I wondered where exactly Shaoni was, I had expected her to be here already but, as it turned out I wouldn’t have to wait long.
A thunderous boom cracked out above our heads and we all looked up at once, but the sound was coming from outside. I heard the flap of wings as Shaoni came in for a landing somewhere above our heads. It went so silent we could’ve heard a mosquito cough, then Shaoni stepped into the room. Not from either entrance but from a balcony above us I hadn’t seen before. She was wearing the same thing she had been when I ran into her in the cave, once again looking like a hardened, tattooed Pocahontas.
“Welcome everyone! I take it you’ve gotten to know each other?”
She thundered down to us as we all shot to attention.
“I’ve gathered you here to give a gift to one of you, but you must prove yourselves deserving. I’ve told some of you what I intended to do here and others may be hearing it for the first time. So for those of you who are gathering here for the first time pay attention. There will be three trials held here, one to test your morals, one to test your strength, and one to test your judgement.”
At this point Brooke spoke up in the way only a spoiled little shit like him could.
“You made me a promise! You never said anything about trials! I got all the way out here to this shitty little backwater and now your telling me I’ve got to compete to earn what you owe me?! Sorry, but I’m going to need more than that.”
Shaoni looked like she could’ve ended him right there. She was the judge and jury here, if Brooke wasn’t careful she’d become the executioner too.
“What you asked me for is in this town, that’s all I will say on the matter.”
Shaoni responded with less venom than I had expected judging by her expression. She didn’t actually seem to care that she had to tell him something to shut him up. It was the insult of being interrupted that struck a nerve. I was a little concerned by what she said, if he was looking for something that was in town and Bianca was there… could he be looking for her? “…Today though, just enjoy the company of one another. You’re all welcome to stay here at the camp I’ve had prepared for you outside. If you wish to return to town you may but you will be watched. No-one is to leave town until the trials are completed.”
Shaoni finished, I hadn’t really been listening to her welcome speech. She said everything I cared about when she told us what the trials where going to test for, after that I kind of tuned out. Shaoni disappeared in a flash, just like she had back at my house the day before and with that the five of us were alone again. I left, heading back outside to see this camp she mentioned. The others talked with each other but I really had no desire to. That didn’t stop Robert from running to catch up with me, wheezing when he got there.
“Hey you’re the one who ran out of the bar the other night! She’s said a lot about you, I’d almost think she had a favorite.”
Robert huffed out between breaths, punching me in the arm in a friendly but wholly unwelcome way.
“I’ve heard you know nothing about the supernatural, I’d be happy to tell you what I’ve seen working with Shaoni.”
Robert offered, fishing for any reason to hold a conversation with me.
“No, that’s alright really, I’ll manage. What do you guys do anyways, working for her I mean? I get the sense she could really run this whole operation on her own if she wanted.”
“She probably could do this alone. Most of the time we don’t work directly with her, this is a special case for those of us she’s got helping with the trials. There’s maybe 50 of us total and not just here, I mean 50 of us overall. She’s very selective with the followers she keeps so there isn’t many of us. We tend to sit around up-holding her ideals till she asks something of us through dreams, like the ones that brought you here.”
Robert explained, confusing me a little bit. I found it hard to believe a crew of 50 people got everything here done. I guess it wasn’t to outlandish when put in perspective though. If you told me Shaoni got all this done herself I probably would’ve believed you so 50 people organized by her, yeah I could see that.
“Wait, so you guys barley ever actually work with her, and what are her ideals exactly?”
“Have you heard the legends of the thunderbird? A lot of it depicts the thunderbird as a spirit of justice that fights evil spirits from the underworld, that’s really watered down but you get the point. I’ve never seen her do anything like that but she does uphold a certain sense of justice and that’s what she expects of us. Sure, she seems really intimidating but she wants to right wrongs that no one else will, it makes her a little harsh but she has to be. We just do that same thing when we aren’t getting orders right from her. Maybe you think she’s in the wrong here because she pulled you into this but we really want to help, sometimes there’s a price for that.”
Robert lectured, you could tell he really believed in what he was saying though. He may have been older but when he was telling me about the thunderbird and what she stood for he was filled with vigor again. Maybe he’s not as bad as I thought, I wanted all these people working for her to be some kind of weird cult like in Imalone. The more I heard the more I doubted that. They were people who followed her for a reason, not just because she gave them some kind of power. In reality I think what she really gave them was purpose. That sort of thing is more than enough for most people to follow someone.
When I broke away from Robert and got outside I found a huge camp had been set up while we were in the cave. Tepees of various sizes had been constructed all around the entrance to the old mine and one big canvas tent had a huge table running through it filled with food. For 50 people these followers of the thunderbird sure worked fast. I hadn’t decided if I wanted to go back to town yet. I hoped Frank and Stein had convinced Bianca to go with them, at least then they could get some answers while I was stuck here. If they were gone though what reason did I have to go back? As long as I was out here surrounded by people who work with Shaoni maybe I could get some answers of my own. I wasn’t really sure what information about Shaoni would do for us but she was a mystery to me. Everyone was here for a reason, I agreed to take on a burden, Brooke was here because of some promise Shaoni made, and I’m sure the rest had similar stories. Shaoni gained nothing from any of that though, besides this burden I had agreed to take. I’m not sure why, but it felt like figuring out what She stood to gain from this was important. If I could do that maybe I could put the pieces to this puzzle together. Two people had pointed out I knew nothing about the supernatural as well, Shaoni and Robert. That didn’t seem to matter to much to me but if all the others here had some experience in it maybe it should. It seemed like we were all on a level playing field though, Brooke hadn’t heard about the trials and neither had I. Robert and that strange John guy probably had some idea but they worked with Shaoni, I would expect them to know. Katrina, the blonde was probably just as surprised as Brooke, if I had to guess. None of us knew exactly what the trials would test for, so why did everyone keep brining up not knowing about the supernatural like it put me at a disadvantage?
“Why indeed.”
A familiar voice said, sending lightning through my veins and breaking my train of thought. I just about tossed the turkey leg I’d been eating directly at the source of the noise.
“Shaoni, you have got to stop doing that.”
I said, crawling back into my skin after she scared me out of it. Shaoni still looked just as she had when she addressed us earlier, adorned in her animal skins and feathers. It took me a second but it finally clicked that she had said something strange when she sat down next to me.
“Hang on a minute, can you read my mind? Was I thinking out loud or something?”
“No, you just looked lost in thought and I figured I’d chime in.”
“Oh, alright… why?”
I squeaked out, abruptly realizing that this was Shaoni, the thunderbird who was sitting next to me. There was a second there where I wasn’t as intimidated by her as I normally was but it had passed quickly.
“I wanted to know how your doing, I know all this can’t be easy to take in.”
“I’m doing fine, I think I’m adjusting pretty well but I did want to ask you some questions.”
An amused look ran across Shaoni’s face at this. She wasn’t being as commanding as before either, she almost seemed to genuinely care about my well-being.
“Would you walk with me, I’ll answer your questions on the way.”
Shaoni asked, standing and waiting for me to follow her. Not seeing any better options I stood up and left alongside her.
We walked around the perimeter of the camp, out of ear shot of anyone else. I’m sure she did that on purpose, though I wasn’t sure if it was so no-one could hear my screams if I asked a question she didn’t like or if she just wanted privacy.
“Why me Shaoni? Why chose me out of everyone, was it just a coincidence?”
“Straight to the point hmm. Think Keith, when I found you in the position you were in you needed my help. Sure, I planned to dispose of the cultists that were threatening you anyways but I stopped to help you. You saw me descend from the sky, swoop down, and bring them to their knees, I extended an offer to you and you just took it. You didn’t bargain or ask for anything more after I shattered your perception of what does and doesn’t exist, just accepted my offer. Most people would have bargained, tried to look for a better deal for themselves but you saw what the price of my help would be and paid it, no second thoughts. That interested me Keith, you recognized what had to be done and didn’t try to avoid the cost, that’s why I chose you.”
“So I appealed to whatever sense of justice you have? That’s it, that’s the only reason?”
She looked almost hurt as I asked this and she stopped walking. I definitely stepped on a nerve, I expected her to snap but she didn’t, She just asked very quietly,
“Do you think I’m a monster Keith?”
I was stunned by the question. Could I really say she was a monster? What had she done so far? Save me, that’s what, was that really so monstrous? Sure it may have come at a cost but nothing is ever free. Shaoni even came to warn me about the trials ahead of time, just barely ahead of time but it was something.
“No Shaoni, you’re not a monster just… someone with the powers you have… it’s terrifying for a normal person. Can you really say I’m in the wrong for being afraid of you?”
Even as I said it I knew it was a lie, at least partially. I wasn’t just afraid of her, I wanted her to be evil and she just wasn’t, not really. Maybe she was a bit intense but everything she had done to me so far couldn’t be called evil.
“Fear is only natural when you see something like me, but I’m not a monster. The thunderbird has always stood for justice. That’s what I represent, I can’t be everywhere but I make it a point to uphold justice where I am. Those who I’ve chosen to follow me hold my justice in their own town, in their own lives. I can be harsh but I am just.”
She said this with such intensity I had no choice but to believe her. Her conviction to justice was zealous but I still wanted to pry a little bit more.
“So what does justice mean to you then? I don’t mean to be disrespectful but I want to hear it from you,”
I asked, growing a little more confident in talking to Shaoni. For once I didn’t feel like she would kill me on a whim. Give her a reason, and Shaoni would do it without a second thought but I don’t think she cared that much about my questioning.
“Justice is black and white, right and wrong. Normally there’s a pretty good system in place to punish those that deserve it but sometimes things slip through the cracks, that’s where I come in. I take care of the heinous acts people get away with, people that think they’ve gotten away with murder, so to speak.”
“So your a vigilante then? That’s what I’m hearing here.”
“I wouldn’t be so crass but yes, I suppose you could call me a vigilante but I promise you that’s an oversimplification. Suffice it to say my opinion on matters of serving justice is respected.”
Shaoni seemed a little uncomfortable at the word “respect”, I think a better word would’ve been “feared”. I wasn’t going to say it to her but I knew she suspected it. I could see something about that really hurt her. I couldn’t put my finger on it, the reason Shaoni didn’t want to be feared. Despite being the scariest thing I’d seen so far she didn’t want to be known for that.
We talked for a while longer about a whole lot of nothing. Eventually we got back around to the camp and she bid me goodnight despite the fact it was 3 in the afternoon at the time. She was probably right though, I was going to need the rest if I wanted to be ready for the first trial tomorrow. I found my way to a tepee conveniently marked with my name. I didn’t remember it being marked before and I didn’t understand the point of giving us specific tepees, privacy I guess? The fur sleeping bag was a rustic but welcome touch and despite lacking the amenities of a usual home the tepee was quite comfortable. As I settled in for the night I heard a rustling on the far side of the tepee, then a voice, one whose heavy accent I recognized immediately.
“So, turns out they don’t check under the truck. Ya got me here with you now.”
Rocco said, emerging from a blanket in the corner. That revelation didn’t exactly set my mind at ease. Rocco must’ve sensed my apprehension to the fact that he was anywhere near me right now.
“What?! I’m here to help out! I heard you going on about a trial or somethin’ so I figured I’d tag along under that truck when they picked you up, can’t have enough back up ya know.”
He continued, pulling a belt with several tools out from under the blanket as he spoke. I wasn’t pleased to have him here but maybe I could make use of him.
“I was hoping you’d go with Bianca and the other two but honestly, it might be nice to have a friendly face around here. Just… try to stay out of trouble.”
“Trouble? When do I ever get into trouble?”
I hoped he was being sarcastic, you can never tell with him. I bit my tongue as Rocco walked out into the camp, silently praying no-one would see him. With that I settled into my sleeping bag and tried to think of what I could expect from the first trial tomorrow.

so i really love this one girl we are kind of speaking but i have this thought where everything has to go one way for example i have to take exactly 6 steps in every room and if i do a different number it will fuck up my day so I do about 25 different routines so my day isn’t bad but ever since i have this afternoon the amount has doubled for example when I do anything ‘not approved’ my day is shit and it just feels so real anybody advises??