“The hallucinations have been getting better, I think. They still show up from time to time and they still feel just as real…” The faint scratching of graphite on paper filled the dead air, Dr. Mendoza not looking up as he scribbled away. The large “HealthyMinds Psychiatry” logo plastered across the top being the only discernible words from my seat across the stuffy office room. My eyes wandered as they always seemed to do, finding anything that could briefly focus my brain away from its usual chaos. A filing cabinet, a mug filled with more pens than one would ever use, a medical degree proudly hung above a depressing sofa most likely picked up cheap from a secondhand retailer.
“Well, Mr. Stevens…” His voice snapped me back to attention as he continued writing. “Progress is a good sign. This is just the initial dosage to get you acclimated, you won’t start seeing solid results for some time. How have the side effects been?”
“Fine. I think. I guess I don’t really notice them.” I was lying, of course. The brain fog and dizziness that were promised certainly delivered, but they were more than manageable if it meant relief. Any kind of relief.
“Well, if that’s the case then I don’t see any issue with upping your dosage. Are you still using the same pharmacy in your file?” He was clearly just as ready to go home as I was. The usual wrapping up followed as we both put on our best show of manners in front of hidden exhausted resignation, seemingly unable to get away from that awful sofa fast enough.
Ascending the many flights of stairs up to the 6th floor, the distant harmony of police sirens accompanied my echoing steps, the white paper pharmacy bag gripped tightly as if it might be stolen, whisked away by someone hoping to get high off antipsychotics. Faint noises and shadows followed me as they often do, brushing across my peripheral trying to get my attention. Had this been months earlier I would have obliged them much to my faltering sanity, but I had been growing accustomed to them with each passing day. The little ones, the ones just at the edge of my vision that so feebly feign tangibility have long since lost their bite. It’s the big ones, the ones that blur the lines of reality, the ones sent by Satan himself to torment me that force me out of the safety of my apartment to that dreary shrink office. A safety that I found myself rushing to, the dim flickering lighting of the long hallway provided adequate habitat for tall figures, figures with human bodies stretched from the floor to the ceiling, wrapping up and around the corner so they could watch me from above.
They watched as I fumbled with my keys, fanning through them to find the one to salvation. I can feel them staring, I know they’re smiling because they know I’m afraid. With the lock flicking and the door opening, I could feel them brushing up against the back of my neck as I slammed it shut behind me, the click of the deadbolt sending a rush of relief. It never matters if I know they’re not real, my brain does a great job at making them real enough.
The apartment is small, but small is good. Small means efficient, it means closeness. Small means less space for dark corners to house tall figures. Rapidly throwing off my winter coat, it settled in its usual spot slumped over the faded green loveseat. One of the few relics of the past that didn't bother me with its presence, a moving gift from my parents to celebrate finally ridding myself from their daily lives. It was actually quite comfortable, having earned the right to stay but more truthfully it served the purpose of being some form of contrast; The apartment was a drab gray furnished with brown wooden tables and chairs, admittedly picked up cheap at…well, a secondhand retailer. The seat was the only thing of any real color, a lone faded green in a sea of brown and gray.
The apartment is safe, or at least I made it safe; An eclectic mix of various light sources found permanent fixtures in every corner of the living space. Each with their own manual switches keeping them illuminated until the valiant bulb inevitably needed replacing, having dutifully kept the forces of dark at bay and thus preventing those tall figures taking refuge in my sanctuary. Years ago I would have chuckled at the idea of me, a six foot tall 200 pound man, setting up night lights. Indeed, I did chuckle at the thought of doing it until my first time experiencing one.
Two months and six days ago. Four months and 18 days after my initial diagnosis. My usual routine, essentially on autopilot by that point. Home from work, deadbolt click, sweatshirt tossed haphazardly over the faded green loveseat. The only light illuminating the apartment came from the small desk lamp flanking me as I walked into the living area, the windows covered by those gray shades even had it not been late evening. My autopilot quickly ceased soon after noticing something. Something tall. Whatever it was, it seemed perfectly shaped to fit the slithering darkness covering the walls opposite me. Twisting and curving so disgustingly, it blended in almost perfectly with the blackness, but I knew it was there. It knew that I knew. I just stood, frozen with a primordial fear that few ever experience, the kind of fear when you know you're about to die. Not a muscle on my body dared attempt to flee as I tried to study what was in front of me, trying desperately to make out its shape. Was that its head? Or was it the part stretched up across the ceiling? Those are hands. Are those hands? Was it smiling at me?
After some amount of time that I've yet to remember, I think hours but maybe seconds, I felt it move. Even minutely, it sent my body into panic as I lurched my entire mass in the opposite direction, towards my shut bedroom door. I turned the knob and slammed it shut behind me faster than I thought dexterously possible as I felt it touch the back of my neck, a feeling I would grow sickeningly familiar with. I didn't sleep a single second, my brain working overtime to rationalize that it was all just a hallucination, just like the doctors said I would have. The only thing making it impossible was its eyes. They glowed a deep gray with a real tangibility to them, they existed, even as I stared right back into them. When morning broke through the cracks of the shades, it was not much longer that a terrified phone call had me back at HealthyMinds Psychiatry weeks earlier than anticipated. The thought of setting up night lights no longer had me chuckling.
The severity of any given episode varies considerably and often seems to correlate with my stress levels, but this is by no means a rigorous connection. Surprise visits from an unwanted presence is always a potential, but I like to think that I’ve been getting better at managing them. Or more accurately I need to think that I am. I can't entertain the possibility of a life where everyday is like this, everyday forcing my body to function normally as I perform my daily routine to an audience. An audience that hates me, that feeds off knowing that I’m afraid and barely keeping myself from total collapse. My movements change, my body language shifting ever so imperceptibly to notice but they know what to look for. As I tell myself to relax knowing full well the razor wire I stand on, that voice in the back of my head mocks me for my abysmal performance. “Do you really think you’re fooling anyone? You’re going to be okay, is that right? You know you won't make it. If you were okay, you wouldn't need to tell yourself, you know you're falling.”
I have been getting better, at least a little, because of one particular emotion that I can turn to when it gets bad- Anger. Anger distracts me from the fear and I don't even need to feign a performance. The anger of my lost sanity, my lost family, my lost friends, my lost safety. When the fear gets too much to handle, my brain, almost automatically at this point, focuses the anger towards my guest. I stare and rush forward with the primal anger of an animal defending its young, a primal anger that shuts down the part of your brain that tells you to run. I lash, I swing, I scream with a guttural ferocity that would certainly put me in an inpatient facility; A large man, growling and tearing at the empty air as if to kill a ghost.

I screamed. I exploded up from my sleeping position, practically throwing my hand at the switch that pulled me from hell back to safety. Sheets and tshirt saturated with sweat, I held myself gasping for air as I awaited my heart rate to relax itself. The glowing red 3:28 across the room provided no additional comfort knowing work was a mere 4 hours away. I knew to expect frequent and worsening nightmares, a bonus symptom I learned first hand when starting the new medication months ago, and so it was only natural it would happen again on a higher dosage. My head drooped, letting my hands attempt to massage away the thumping headache when my attention was cut short- A noise. More accurately, noises.
Hallucinations of course very often include additional senses, and sound was never a favorite of mine. With sight, it's at least possible to quickly determine its existence, or lack thereof. Not sound. I couldn't simply tell myself that the faint sound of a door shutting softly through the thin walls was my imagination, nor the faint creaking of wood slowly but unmistakably getting closer. Closer still until it found itself coincidentally outside my bedroom door, just a few feet from where I stood, the cold and firm touch of metal being my only comfort as I held the bat steady at my side.
I don't do well with suspense, not anymore at least. I found that my increasingly fatigued sanity has grown rather tired of waiting, tired of hiding and hoping it would just leave me alone, replaced instead by the somewhat self destructive allure of anger and hatred. If it's going to kill me, why not get it over with sooner, which is precisely why I ripped the door open and swung, a noise somewhere between a roar and a shout escaping my mouth as I felt contact. A solid, wet thud, followed by a collapse. Laying there in front of me, a mass of darkness conveniently shaped to fit the slithering shadows of the unlit hallway. Letting the bat fall to my side, a flick of a light switch would finish off the kill as yellow fire cleansed away the evidence, revealing a barren wood floor. Content with a successful hunt, I carried myself to the fridge; I wasn't going to be falling back to sleep.

The week passed with me barely perceiving it, days often blended together with the monotonous droning of a job so soul crushing I almost wished for one of my visitors to inject some emotion into the workday. They never did; it would seem that the rows of dull gray cubicles were too much even for demons of torment.
Only briefly did I acknowledge the start of the weekend before collapsing in bed the minute I got home. Fridays were always the worst, flooded with everything that needed to be done before the weekend.
Like clockwork, I again found myself leaping awake, the familiar dampness saturating my shirt and bedsheets. Weekends were a blessing, being awoken at four in the morning mattered little when I could collapse back in bed without worry of an alarm greeting me. My body lurched out of bed on autopilot as I looked for a pair of dry clothes to replace sweat soaked ones that now found themselves tossed across the floor. The cold breeze of air flow sent a shiver down my exposed body. Was it always this cold? I don't remember turning the AC on higher…although to be fair I don't remember much before I collapsed in bed.
I opened the door and stumbled my way through the dark to find something heavier to wear, seeking out the usual spot I always tossed them. Hands reaching out, I felt my sweatshirt and pulled it from its crumpled spot on the purple recliner. Turning back, a very subtle detail managed to grab the attention of my barely conscious mind- A mass, standing just a few meters away. It's looking at me, I know it is. Barely perceptible in the almost pitch darkness, it stood there. Feeding off of my fear, I know it. With the exhaustion of a sleepless week weighing at my emotional control, I did what I know- I leaped forward in absolute rage, a rage that desperately attempted to mask the shuddering terror beneath. I lashed, I clawed, I growled. I felt that familiar wet thud followed by a sickening slumping onto the cold tile floor. As my brain caught up, I looked down to see what I had even grabbed as a weapon during the rush of emotion- A golf club, one that had been leaning on the marble table that I must have reached for automatically. I caught my breath as I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply in an attempt to slow my racing heart. Something interrupted that, however.
A deafening scream let out behind me, which I found strange. My hallucinations usually subside after I confront them.
~

There are so many delicious foods to eat on Thanksgiving, and it can be hard to narrow it down to just one or two favorites!
If you’re a Thanksgiving newbie, check out this list of Thanksgiving foods that start with L and introduce your taste buds to all of the scrumptiousness that awaits you!
Whether you plan on eating them in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or as part of your own personal feast, try these tasty treats on your holiday table!
If you’re wondering what to serve at your Thanksgiving feast this year, consider the following list of Thanksgiving foods that start with L.
Listed below, these healthy dishes are delicious and nutritious ways to give thanks this holiday season.

1. Lobster

The holiday season means that it is time to celebrate, relax, and enjoy the company of family and friends. What better way to celebrate than with a scrumptious feast?
If you are searching for a mouth-watering dish to serve for your feast this year, look no further than lobster!
Lobster is a traditional dish served on holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, its popularity has also made it an appetizer that can be served any day of the year.
Lobsters are available fresh or canned at most grocery stores or seafood markets. There are so many different ways to prepare lobster that it is hard not to find one that would suit your needs perfectly!

2. Linguine

Linguine is a type of pasta that is shaped like long, flat noodles. It can be served with various sauces or toppings, and it's a popular dish for the holiday season.
Served with butter, garlic, and olive oil, this dish is similar to clam sauce but has a more subtle flavor. Linguine can be served on its own as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal.
Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside in a serving bowl, reserving a cup of the cooking water in a small bowl.
Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until foaming subsides; add garlic and cook, occasionally stirring, until fragrant but not browned (about 30 seconds), about 2 minutes.

3. Lima beans

Some people may not know that lima beans are traditional Thanksgiving foods that start with L. It's true! Lima beans (aka butter beans) are easy to make and taste delicious, especially when paired with ham. They're also high in protein, making a great side dish for vegetarians.

4. Lionfish

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you're looking for some new, exciting Thanksgiving foods that start with L to put on the table.
There are lots of options. One example would be lionfish. This delicious fish can be prepared in various ways and makes for a tasty alternative to turkey or ham.
It's easy to find at most grocery stores, so all you need to do is pick up your ingredients, get cooking and enjoy!

5. Lychees

Let's talk about lychees. This delicious fruit is often a staple in Asian dishes, but it has also become more popular in Western cooking.
It looks like a little yellow grape with a tough outer shell that needs to be peeled away before you can eat the flesh inside. A great way to start your day!

6. Lamb

A rich and savory dish that pairs well with all of your favorite fall vegetables. Lamb is one of the most popular thanksgiving foods that start with L, but it's common to serve lamb.
Lamb is healthier than ham because it contains less fat and cholesterol than other meats. Plus, it also tastes delicious with cranberries and mashed potatoes!

7. Lasagna

This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd and can be made in advance to save you time on the day of the feast for Thanksgiving foods that start with L.

8. Latkes

Crispy and delicious, these potato pancakes are a delightful side dish to any meal. The latke is a dish that is traditionally served during Hanukkah but can be served at any time of year.
Latkes are typically made from grated potatoes mixed with eggs, salt and onions. The mixture is then pan-fried in oil. A typical garnish for a latke might include sour cream or applesauce.

9. Lemonade

It's not a holiday without the traditional pumpkin pie, but some other Thanksgiving foods start with L to consider.
Which is Lemonade, Refreshing and comforting. However, Lemonade is a staple for many people during the warmer months.
Nevertheless, it's also an excellent drink to enjoy on cold winter days. Whether you enjoy lemonade with a little bit of vodka in it or prefer iced tea with a generous helping of freshly squeezed juice, this beverage can be enjoyed all year long.
Besides being delicious, lemonade offers some health benefits, such as aiding digestion and providing Vitamin C.
This tangy beverage should be at the top of your list when you're looking for something new to try this Thanksgiving holiday!

10. Loin

The loin is a meat cut that comes from a pig's back and lower part. It's usually roasted, grilled, or smoked. In French, it's called filet, which means a thin strip.
The loin lies between the backbone and ribs, as well as in front of the sirloin and behind the tenderloin. Another term for a loin is pork chop.
Pork chops are often eaten fried or grilled with bacon. They can be served with applesauce or caramelized applesauce.
When buying pork chops, it's important to look at them closely to ensure they're not too dried out or stringy.

11. Lynchburg Lemonade

• Ingredients include
• Sweet Tea
• Triple Sec
• Fresh Lemon Juice (tablespoons) Instructions: Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Serve cold over ice cubes and garnish with a lemon slice!

12. Leek

A leek is a type of onion with a milder flavor than other onions. Leeks are used in soups and stews and as an ingredient in making curry sauce, and they will surely serve you perfectly for your Thanksgiving foods that start with L. They also work well with potatoes, spinach, and cream.
Slice off the root end of the leek, cutting up to one inch away from where it starts to flare out into green leaves.
Rinse thoroughly under cold water or soak in boiling water for a few minutes until it is softened but not colored. Trim off any tough parts from the green leaves near the white part, then slice them thinly crosswise.

13. Lahana Sarmasi

Start by chopping onion and green pepper into small pieces. Please place them in a medium-sized pot with vegetable oil, then add tomato paste and salt to taste.
Add water to cover the vegetables, bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
After cooking time is up, remove the pot from the stovetop and stir in sugar (to taste) before leaving it to cool for 30 minutes.
When cooled down, mix in raisins, almonds, and pine nuts before adding rice; ensure the rice is well mixed before returning it to the pot.

14. Lovage

Lovage is an herb that tastes like celery, with a flavor similar to parsley but more intense and more like celery. It's often used in French cooking.
The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a side dish (often boiled, braised, or sautéed). The seeds can be roasted, ground into a powder, and mixed with water to make a refreshing drink of Thanksgiving foods that start with L.

15. Liqueur

The liqueur is often used to signify a special drink enjoyed on holidays and other occasions that you want to fill your tables with Thanksgiving foods that start with L.
However, Liqueurs are typically sweet and are often made from fruits, nuts, herbs, or spices. One of the most popular liqueurs is Amaretto, made from apricot kernels.

16. Latte

I love a good latte! I like to start my day with one in the morning or have one with an afternoon snack and then end it with a cup of hot cocoa after dinner. Lattes can be enjoyed any time of day.
I love that lattes are easy to make at home. All you need is some whole milk, a teaspoon of espresso, a tablespoon of hot water, and some sweetener if you want it.
Nevertheless, You can make them as strong or as weak as you want by adjusting how much water you add too.
I also like that latte's come in different flavors and combinations, so there is always something new to try when you want your occasion to be special with Thanksgiving foods that start with L.

17. Lakoocha

Lakoocha is a traditional Russian dessert made of dough, oil, and honey;

18. Limeade

The tangy limeade is a refreshing drink for hot summer days. All you need to do is squeeze some fresh lime juice into a glass of water and add sugar if desired.
Also, a few ice cubes will help keep it cold while you sip on this delicious drink. If you want to make iced limeade, place all ingredients in a pitcher and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Pour over ice and enjoy!

19. Lavash

Lavash is thin, unleavened loaves of bread that are usually baked in a large clay oven called a tandoor. They can be used as Thanksgiving foods that start with L for serving guests.
The word lavash is derived from an Armenian word that means bread. Like many other cultures, Armenians wrap their traditional dishes in lavash before serving them to guests.
Their cuisine often includes dishes like kebabs or kabobs wrapped up in lavash before being eaten.

20. Lumpia

The Filipino dish, Lumpia, is one of the Thanksgiving foods that start with L, an egg roll with a savory filling wrapped in a thin wrapper and deep fried to create a crispy exterior.
Lumpia is usually served as an appetizer or as part of the main meal. The word lumpia means spring roll in Tagalog, reflecting that this dish has been around since ancient times in Southeast Asia.
L lumpia is typically made with ground pork, carrots, onion, garlic, and chili peppers in Filipino cuisine.
The mixture is then rolled up into flour wrappers that have been cut into strips before being dipped into hot oil to fry them until golden brown. This cooking method makes for a crispy outside with a moist inside and flavorful filling.

21. Lollipop

The lollipop is one of the most iconic sweet treats in America. In fact, more than 100 billion lollipops are made each year in the United States.
However, did you know that this confection has been around since at least as early as 1796? Believe it or not, Thomas Adams is credited with being the first person to put a stick into a ball of candy!
In addition to being a popular treat for people of all ages and backgrounds, lollipops also make great props for wedding photos and party favors for birthday celebrations. Plus, they're perfect for stocking stuffers too!

22. Lingcod

The lingcod is a type of fish that lives in cold water. It has a light, delicate, and meaty texture. There are many different ways to prepare this as one of the Thanksgiving foods that start with L, and it can be used in soups or stews as well as baked on its own.
The skin should be removed before cooking because it can become tough after cooking. The lingcod can also be grilled or pan-fried with butter and herbs, which will help keep the meat from drying out.
The best way to cook this fish is by baking it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per inch of thickness (when measured at the thickest part). This ensures that the flesh is moist and tender without being dry or overcooked.

23. Littleneck

A littleneck is a type of clam found in the Atlantic Ocean and used as one of the common and popular thanksgiving foods that start with L. The name comes from its small size, which is about half that of a cherrystone clam.
This small bivalve mollusk has a hard and shiny exterior shell. Littleneck is often eaten steamed or raw as sushi, but they can also be used to make clam chowder or pasta dishes.

24. Limburger

This cheese is perfect for those who love a strong flavor. It's tangy, salty, and slightly pungent. This cheese has been aged for at least six months to help develop its complex flavor profile.

25. Lard

Lard is an animal fat that can be rendered to make cooking oil and soap. Lard has a higher melting point than butter, so it’s also often used in frying food.
Lard is also often used in desserts, such as pies and biscuits because it makes them flaky and crispy. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, lard can be replaced with vegetable shortening.
But it’s important to read the labels of any replacement product before using it because some contain hydrogenated oils, which are high in saturated fats and low in trans-fats.
For healthier alternatives to lard, try coconut oil or margarine made from plant-based fats such as soybean or sunflower oil instead!

26. Loaf

Many different types of Thanksgiving foods start with L, including quick-bread loaves, yeast-bread loaves, and sweet-bread loaves.
It's possible to find traditional versions or versions with nuts or raisins for some added texture or sweetness.
Bread can also be shaped into a round shape instead of a loaf. This is called a bâtard or boule. The word loaf comes from the Old English word hlāf, meaning bread.

27. Liverwurst

This German specialty is made with a mixture of pork and beef liver, bacon, and spices. It's typically served as part of a charcuterie platter or on rye bread.
Liverwurst is best when it's cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit. This will give it that nice brown color and a slightly crispy crust.
The taste of liverwurst depends largely on how much bacon is included in the recipe, which determines its saltiness.
A good rule of thumb is that if you want to make something sweet for your Thanksgiving foods that start with L, liverwurst is a go, and you must use less bacon than you would for something savory (or add sweetener ingredients).

28. Land Cress

A delicate green herb with a peppery flavor, land cress is not to be confused with watercress which belongs to another genus entirely.
The plants of land cress are delicate, so it is best when eaten raw in salads or sandwiches.
Another way to enjoy it is by mixing it into fish sauces and using it as a garnish on soups. It does not keep very long, so you should use this herb immediately.

29. Loquat

The loquat, or Japanese plum, is a small fruit with a sweet and sour flavor. It is usually available in late winter and early spring. The loquat has green, leathery skin and yellow flesh.
You can eat them raw or cooked; they are often used to make jellies, jams, chutneys, and pies. Loquats contain high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants.

30. Lemongrass

I can't think of anything better to eat on a cold, wintery day than a big bowl of thanksgiving foods that start with L.
The zesty, citrus flavor is perfect for warming up your insides while also providing a nice little vitamin boost. It's such an easy recipe too!
However, you need some chicken broth, fresh lemongrass, peeled ginger root, lots of fresh cilantro, and some salt (and pepper if you want) to taste.
Just add everything to a pot and let it simmer on low heat until all the flavors are well combined. I like to make this with lots of toppings like fried shallots, chopped peanuts, or even basil leaves that I can stir before serving.

31. Limoncello

The word limoncello literally means lemon honey in Italian. This sweet, citrus-flavored liqueur is perfect for any occasion, but especially on Christmas and New Year's Eve!
Limoncello is made by infusing lemon peels in alcohol, adding sugar to sweeten it, and then letting it rest for months.
It's usually served chilled or over ice with a splash of water or club soda. To make limoncello even more festive, add some fresh cranberries to make a cranberry limoncello!

32. Lettuce

Do you need a quick way to make your Thanksgiving dinner better? Try adding some Thanksgiving foods that start with L to it!
Lettuce has many health benefits, so it's a good idea to include this leafy green as part of your traditional menu. Here are some of the best Thanksgiving foods that start with L.
When it comes to lettuce, there are many different varieties to choose from. Green and red leaf lettuce both have a slightly bitter taste with a more bitter flavor when they're older.
Romaine is crunchier and has a more peppery taste which goes well with heavy salad dressings. An iceberg is milder than other lettuce and is a great choice for those who don't like the stronger flavors of other types of lettuce.

33. Lobscouse

This traditional Newfoundland dish is made with salt beef, potatoes and onions. Cooked in a pot or kettle, it's simmered together until tender and then thickened with flour.
The word lobscouse comes from the French lobster as this dish will be perfect for selecting from Thanksgiving foods that start with L.
It was originally made with lobster meat before salt beef became popular due to its affordability.
Lobscouse also has many variations depending on where you are in Newfoundland: it may be cooked in a large pot or kettle over an open fire and boiled for at least 4-6 hours; it might be served without vegetables (because they were scarce); and it might include carrots, turnip or parsnips.

34. Loganberry

The Loganberry is a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry. It was developed in 1907 by John Watson, who was a plant breeder from New Jersey.
The Loganberry typically has three to four times more sugar than other berries, with an intense taste that ranges from tart to tangy.
In addition to being delicious, the Loganberry is easy to grow and can be easily stored for long periods of time because of its high sugar content.

35. Lekvar

The word Lekvar is a common name for a fruit preserve made from whole quinces peeled and cooked with sugar.
The finished product has a consistency similar to that of jelly and can be used as a dessert topping or spread on cakes.
It also makes an excellent sauce when mixed with chicken, game meat, or pork. The name Lekvar comes from the Hungarian word lekvár, meaning fruit preserve.

36. Lox

You can't go wrong with lox when it comes to Thanksgiving foods that start with L. This cured salmon is delicious and packed with nutrients that will keep you energized all morning long.
Plus, it's super easy to make! How To Make Lox. Rinse a 1-pound salmon filet under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel on both sides.
Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper and place in a large bowl or dish. Combine one cup of sugar, one cup of kosher salt, three tablespoons dried dill weed, two tablespoons crushed black peppercorns, and four whole bay leaves in a small bowl and mix well to combine.

37. Lutefisk

This traditional Scandinavian dish is a gelatinous mass made from dried cod soaked in lye. It has a long history and was popular as a meat substitute during fasting.
Lutefisk is served traditionally with boiled potatoes, melted butter, and ground black pepper.
The taste and texture can be acquired for some people, but there's no denying that it's as appropriate to serve on Thanksgiving as Thanksgiving foods that start with L!
This traditional Scandinavian dish is a gelatinous mass made from dried cod soaked in lye. It has a long history and was popular as a meat substitute during fasting.
Lutefisk is served traditionally with boiled potatoes, melted butter, and ground black pepper.

38. Linguica

This dish is an American-Portuguese sausage made from pork, garlic, and red wine. The Linguica is a popular choice for those who like spicy foods because it has a hot kick to it. It’s commonly served with rice and beans or on its own as a breakfast meat.
Plus, this food is also great for outdoor barbecues because of its long shelf life and low price point. Try Linguica in your next meal today!

39. London Broil

Are you in charge of planning Thanksgiving foods that start with L? If so, congratulations! It's a big responsibility.
You may not know it but in addition to choosing food that everyone likes and making sure there are enough plates, silverware, and napkins on hand, you also need to consider the order of service.
For example: should the London broil be sliced ahead of time, or will people want to carve it themselves?
Will guests serve themselves from an entrée table, or will they be seated at their places with all their dishes set out for them?
And what about drinks? Which beverages will people prefer while they're waiting for dinner—water or wine? As you can see, there are a lot of decisions to make. But don't worry. London broil will always serve your guest right.

40. Liquor

This is obvious and will be needed for some of your guests. There are many different kinds of alcohol to choose from. If you know who will be coming, pick a type of alcohol that suits their tastes, whether that's wine, champagne, or something else entirely.
The liquor store is also where you can find all sorts of mixing ingredients, such as mixers like sodas or juices to go with it.!

41. Lahmacun

It's typically served with yogurt on the side for dipping or as a sauce for dipping. The dough is also sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds before baking it.
The origins of Lahmacun are not entirely clear, but some believe it originated in Central Asia. While others say, it was popularized by Ottoman soldiers who brought this dish back to Turkey from their travels to Eastern Europe centuries ago.
No matter what its origins may be, one thing remains true - lahmacun is delicious among Thanksgiving foods that start with L!

42. Limpa

It's officially falling. This means that it's time to break out the pumpkin spice, but also time to enjoy the last of summer produce.
One of my favorite things about autumn is that we can finally start making some of our favorite Scandinavian dishes, like Limpa bread.
Limpa is a white bread containing wheat flour, rye flour, and malt syrup. It has a light texture and a lot of flavor from the combination of grains in it.
It was first created in Sweden for Easter Sunday because it's a special type of bread that uses all three main ingredients in communion wafers: wheat flour, water, and wine; rye flour; and malt syrup or molasses.

43. Lalanga

The lalanga, also known as pomegranate, is a tasty fruit with a sweet and tangy taste. It's also one of the first fruits to ripen in late summer.
The name for this fruit comes from the Persian word for apple, and it was brought to India by traders, where locals called it lalang.
There are many different varieties of Thanksgiving foods that start with L, and lalanga is one of them, and lalanga are of different types too, but they all look similar with thin-skinned red or dark-purple fruit.
Lalangas are often eaten fresh or dried, but they can be made into jams and other desserts. Lalangas are high in vitamin C, making them an excellent food for the cold season.

44. Liederkranz

I love Liederkranz. It's a mixture of cheeses, apples, and nuts that is baked in a ring-shaped dish. It's traditionally served at Christmas but tastes great any time of year.
My mom makes it for me every holiday because she knows I love it so much. Nothing is better than biting into one of those thick slices with whipped cream on top.

45. Lupin Beans

This ancient legume, lupin beans, is relatively unknown in the United States. They are gaining popularity with chefs and heirloom food enthusiasts alike due to their meaty texture, earthy flavor, and ease of use.
Lupins can be used in many dishes, including soups, salads, or even rice replacement. Rinse and soak overnight in water to which you have added 2 Tbsp of salt.
Drain and rinse again before cooking for about 30 minutes until tender but not mushy. Flavor with butter, soy sauce, or garlic if desired (optional).

46. Lavender

The first letter of lavender is L for Lavender. Lavender is a perennial plant and can be found in many colors, including purple, white, blue, and pink. The leaves are used for cooking, but the flowers are also edible.
This herb has a gentle flavor that goes well with other herbs like thyme or rosemary. Adding it at the end of the cooking process is best because heat will cook away some of its flavors.
When making mint tea or iced tea, you can use lavender buds as a substitute for peppermint leaves.

47. Lady Apple

Mix one cup of apple cider with three tablespoons of brown sugar in a bowl. Peel and chop two apples.
Add the apples to the mixture and stir. Place in a pot over medium heat and bring to a boil, occasionally stirring until it starts to thicken.
Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and let simmer for 15 minutes or until it becomes syrupy. Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream as a topping if desired.

48. Lentils

Lentils are an inexpensive and healthy source of protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Lentils are also a good source of fiber which can help lower cholesterol levels.
They are perfect Thanksgiving foods that start with L for people with diabetes because they have a low glycemic index and do not cause rapid spikes in blood sugar.
Lentils come in both green and brown varieties and can be served on their own as a side dish or mixed with other ingredients to make soup, casseroles, or chili.

49. Lemons

The quintessential lemon is a yellow citrus fruit that looks like a large, roundish lime. Lemons are high in vitamin C and low in calories; they contain both citric and ascorbic acid.
The juice of lemons can be used as a flavoring or as an ingredient in many Thanksgiving foods that start with L, including desserts like lemon meringue pie.

50. Limes

Lime is a citrus fruit that is round in shape and lime green in color, though they come in various shades of green, from yellow-green to dark green, depending on the ripeness of the fruit.
They are typically sour and juicy, with some varieties being sweeter than others. Limes are a great way to add some tangy flavor to your dishes.
Whether you want to use them for margaritas or want to squeeze a little juice on top of your dish, limes will give you that tangy flavor.
Juicing limes can be messy, which is more challenging than juicing oranges because they are much smaller.
Be careful when juicing limes because you can easily get seeds in your drink, and nobody wants that. If you don't care about the seeds, squeezing limes might be easier for you than any other citrus fruit.

51. Liver

This nutrient-packed and low-calorie food should be noticed. It is rich in Vitamin A, Iron, and Selenium. The liver is also a good source of Zinc, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Copper, and Potassium.
The consumption of liver can help build muscle mass due to its high protein content, which is perfect for Thanksgiving foods that start with L.

52. Lemon Basil

This recipe is a twist on traditional basil pesto. I wanted to use lemon because it's such an awesome flavor and in this recipe has that tart citrusy taste, which is perfect for fall.
It includes cilantro, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and basil. It's so simple to make and will be a great addition to your thanksgiving menu!

• Cup fresh cilantro leaves (leaves only) Cup fresh basil leaves (leaves only)
• Cup olive oil
• Cloves garlic
• Juice from one lemon
  
• A pinch of salt
  
• A few dashes of chili flakes
  

53. Lemon meringue pie

There is nothing more comforting or delicious to warm up with on Thanksgiving day than thanksgiving foods that start with L. Lemon meringue pie.
It has an airy, melt-in-your-mouth crust, creamy lemon filling, and a fluffy meringue topping that's baked to perfection.
You can make this dessert in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to serve it. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Line the pie crust with parchment paper or foil and fill it with pie weights or dry beans so that it doesn't puff up while baking.
Bake the crust for 8 minutes, then remove from the oven and remove parchment paper or foil along with weights and beans before adding the filling.

54. Lamb’s Lettuce

This type of lettuce is a cross between romaine and butterhead lettuce and has an overall soft appearance. The leaves are green or dark red in color and grow to be about five inches wide.
It features a mild flavor that blends well with most salad dressings, making it a favorite among chefs.
The leaves are crisp and can hold up to heavy dressings without wilting or becoming soggy like some other lettuces do when mixed with creamy sauces.
Conclusion
I hope this post has helped you with your search for new thanksgiving foods that start with L. It's important to keep in mind that only some dishes work for some families.
So be sure to make a list and try it out before you commit to anything. And, of course, if you have any occasion, please feel free to use thanksgiving foods that start with L. Happy Thanksgiving!

My F35 sister F27 started dating one of those "brutally honest" guys few months ago. He can be quite rude and make backhanded comments about me and the family sometimes which is bothersome but my sister says he's not malicious but is just the brutally honest time and we should get used to it.
I visited my parents house to celebrate my sister's birthday and my husband couldn't come with me because he was busy, after the party we all sat down for dinner and my sister's boyfriend said it was weird that my husband and I don't have kids despite being married for 6 years now, I was shocked that he brought this up but I gave a short answer stating that it's because of infertility issues, he asked on which side and I didn't wanna answer but my sister said it's on my side. I got uncomfortable as he looked at me for a second and said that maybe not having kids now is a good thing because he thought women over 30 might "produce" defective babies due to age.
I told him it was none of his business but he said that he was just giving his "honest opinion" and that's all. I, in return, told him while maintaining eye contact: "trust me, if I wanted an asshole's opinion, I would've farted!". Literally everyone at the table bursted into laughter and my sister and her boyfriend were stunned. Few seconds later her boyfriend excused himself out and my sister followed then sent me a text after they left saying I was mean and disrespectful towards her boyfriend and insulted him maliciously just cause he stated his honest opinion, she also said I ruined her birthday by being petty and making her boyfriend the joke of the night infront of the family. I didn't respond but she demanded an apology via mail as soon as possible, mom agreed that I shouldn't have said what I said and should've just ignored him knowing how he is.
I think AITA but I'm not sure.

So it was my birthday couple months ago. Had a party. Got some gifts. My friend “Mandy” for me a “super cute bikini”. I liked it. Said thanks. She had ripped the tags off but whatever.
Anyway. Went to the community pool with my roommate. Wore bikini. Got in the water. Roommate immediately is like uhm girl.... I look and see that this bikini is now kinda see thru.
Haha good joke Mandy.
Anyway, Mandy invited me over to her place to hang out with her and her bf and a few others. Most leave and we’re still hanging out. I’m like hey, what if we get in your hot tub? I go change after them. And meet her bf in the hot tub she’s getting new drinks. I hop in. Immediately, he’s looking at my chest. I pretend I don’t notice and just make small talk. She comes out a few min after. And just looks in shock. Eventually gets in. “Uhh is that the one I bought?” Yeah I love it. I wear it everywhere. Make up some stuff about how I wore it to the beach, some party with lots of guys, etc. and she’s just like “oh”.
We’re in the tub for 20-30. Eventually get out and change. She approached me after and was like. “Uhm I’m sorry thought you’d notice. But it goes kinda see thru”. I’m like yeah I know why’d you buy me a ducking see thru bathing suit? “She’s like it’s a joke. Wait you knew? So you just spent last 30’ flashing my bf on purpose?” I reply I’m just wearing my birthday gift from her.
Anyway. Aita?

I’m going to Pacific Beach, SD for my 29th birthday. I heard the crowd can be younger there so I wanted to know which bars/restaurants are better for my age group. I don’t party too much, but love a cocktail, good food, and games. Aesthetic is somewhat important to me, but overall looking for some chill / fun atmospheres where me and my girlfriends can enjoy our trip without feeling like we’re back at college frat parties😅 I prefer recommendations in pacific beach or like a 5-10min Uber away. Thanks in advance!
TLDR; pacific beach bar and restaurant suggestions for 29th birthday weekend— doesn’t want to feel like she’s at a frat party / doesn’t want to travel far

So, I met my GF back in 2016, off of Craigslist. I was almost 2 years removed from college and a Marine Corps DEP poolee, at the time. I reached out to her post about wanting a friendship and possibly relationship, and she reached back out about a week later. She said I was shockingly attractive(the previous replies to her post were from "below average" men) and she was interested. Fast forward two weeks, and she reaches to invite me to a cafe to watch the NFL game.
So, I go down to the cafe and I see her. Not what I was expecting(the pic she sent me was deceiving) but we said our hellos and stepped outside to chat. Right off the bat, I did not like her. I'm telling her about myself and she refuses to make eye contact. Instead, she's leaning on the terrace guardrail, smoking, and looking off into the distance. She offers little info about herself once I'm done speaking and then we head back inside. Her seat is at the bar area and she's headed towards it. I take that opportunity to leave without saying goodbye. Long story short, she emails me again to express her bewilderment, I go back down there, we spend the rest of the night talking and drinking, and we end up at her place.
I regret going back to the cafe, the next morning, and I still live with that regret, today. Why? She still lived with her ex, at the time. He didn't leave until after I moved in, 4 months later. She had offered her home to a male friend before we met, and then he shows up about a month after I move in. Now, it's me, her, the ex, and her male friend in the home. 🤦🏾‍♂️ We went to her girlfriend's birthday party, which took place in a bar, and the night ended with her, myself, and a male friend of her girlfriend's on the porch of his acquaintance. That's the night I learned that my GF likes(but says she doesn't) cocaine. Despite claiming to be inebriated, didn't skip a beat to tell him that she "doesn't do it all the time, but if it's there, sure" and proceed to take a bump off of his key. Furious, I went inside to lay on the couch while she stayed outside with him for another 5 hours(until 8am).
I regret going back to the cafe because I allowed her word to influence me and delay my entry into the Marine Corps. She was against me leaving and was worried I might find someone that I like more than her.
I regret going back to the cafe because she has lied about her past on several occasions, and then called me psycho for giving a fuck about her past. She lies about both big things and small. Having a secret is fine, to a degree, but when your past ends up on my doorstep, I think I deserve to know the why, what, when, and where.
I regret going back to the cafe because for five fucking years, I was afraid to make waves by telling her 'no' or 'stop' or set boundaries and expectations. That led to and enabled her to act in ways that no girlfriend should, and all for her to then play ignorant and say that she doesn't have sufficient relationship experience to know not to do those things. Funny. She was my second ever GF, and I knew right from wrong. It wasn't until I broke up with her while I was away that she decided to quit being a bitch. Quit calling me a narcissist. Quit the name calling. Quit the scapegoating. Quit giving excuses under the guise of 'reasons'. Quit the games. But ever since then, I've felt like she's been disingenuous with me. It feels like she's being fake, now. The love and care doesn't feel real, even though it does come and go in waves. Her 'old' self is still there, and I see it every now and again.
I know my life could have been very different if I hadn't gone back to that cafe, but for the better or worse, I don't know. But, I do feel like I've wasted my 20s. I'll be 30 in July, and fuck, I never expected my life to look like it does. I want my 30s to be different. I want to start a family. I want peace. I want adventure. Some part of me wants it with her, but a part of me doesn't. A part of me wishes I had been stronger years ago and ended this shit. But, I was too afraid of being alone again.
Should I start now or should I persevere?

I forgot to take a picture of my trade but I traded party angel wings (which is worth like 900-1k alone depending on the colors?), Farmers hat, dark jamaaliday tail, speed skater scarf and some adds and the person I was trading with still said nty so i just thanked them for their time and left. I was trading for a rare jamaaliday tophat, the cheapest I saw in exp was 900 sap. Idk how much this hat is truly worth so im confused, was I over, under, or fair?

I am planning a surprise trip for my partner's 40th birthday next January. This is one of the easier NPs given size and proximity of airport to park for those who will be joining us from around the country.
I've been to the park once, but it was many years ago. Am I correct in my research that there is no hotel lodging WITHIN the park? If so, any suggestions of where to stay that is close? We will likely stay and hike longer than our guests, so this does not need to be the major consideration. I will not be booking rooms for guests but want to provide a few options close together.
I recall loving the desert museum and am open to other suggestions of things to do while in Tuscon.
Lastly, any suggestions on restaurants/breweries/cocktail lounges that would be nice to host a dinner party are appreciated.
Thank you and happy hiking!

It's incredible to me how awful some of these lovable characters actually are. I can't recall another live-action sitcom where the majority of the genuinely likable characters have done pretty bad things. Here we go.

• Michael: With Holly, told everyone they got engaged after they broke up. Copied the letter she wrote but did not send to him, complete invasion of privacy. Asked Jo to transfer her to Scranton...think about this one: he asked the CEO to transfer his attached ex-girlfriend to another state, upending her life, so that he could potentially be with her. Destroyed/ruined a meaningful gift AJ had given her. With Helene: Dumped her on her birthday during her birthday lunch because she was too old for him, and he did it the moment he learned her age. With Carol: photoshopped his head onto the body of her children's father's body. Proposed to her after a handful of dates in front of a big crowd. He also knowingly slept with a married woman for a significant period of time.
• Pam: Emotionally cheated on Roy with Jim for years.
• Jim: Partook in said emotional cheating. Kissed her twice while she was in a relationship. Abruptly dumping Karen for Pam wasn't great . He also bought a house for him and Pam without consulting her, and he invested in a company and took a job hours away without consulting her.
• Dwight: Was sleeping with Angela when she was with Andy
• Angela: Cheated on Andy with Dwight
• Stanley: Cheated on his wife
• Oscar: Slept with the (State) Senator while Angela was with him
• Andy: Was fine until the end of season 8 when he drove down to Florida to declare his love for Erin, while he had a girlfriend, and then decided to break up with her during her sister's bachelorette party, lying at first, then coming back again to give the real reason, hurting her even more.
• Darryl: Flirted with and hit on Val while she was in a relationship. Then he wanted out and tossed her aside like nothing, while not even having the courage to break up with her directly.
• Ryan: nothing needs to be said
• Kelly: see Ryan
• Toby: Didn't do anything while in a relationship but was creepy with Pam and Nellie.
• Gabe: Was incredibly creepy with Erin after she dumped him. Declared a relationship with Val to Toby when it didn't exist in any way, shape, or form.

People who are in the clear:

• Phyllis: Ironically one of the most disliked characters. Kind of a jerk sometimes but by all accounts a loving and faithful spouse.
• Kevin
• Meredith: Practices ethical non-monogamy as far as I can tell
• Creed
• Erin
• Karen

That day was just like any other day, I woke up at seven got ready for school. Went to my classes, ate lunch with my friends. Then I was walking home with Jeremiah.
“Hey Jean, how’d you do on your history test?” Jeremiah asked tilting his head in My direction as we walked down the sidewalk. Tall stocks of wheat filled as far as I could see. It’s was harvest time and the stocks were a field of gold.
“Not too well I’m afraid, I thought I knew my stuff, but I took too long and ended up just filling in the blanks randomly at the end” I sigh as I tightened my ponytail that held up my brunette curls.
“It’s not our fault she never sticks to the material we go over in class. If you don’t read through the whole text book it’s guaranteed failure” Jeremiah probably would’ve failed that test either way. He spends all his time on the ps5 playing fortnight. I know because I spend most of my time gaming with him. I used to think maybe we’d end up together. I mean we’ve been buds since we were 12 and we’re 17 now. He’s a good friend, and he’s good looking in his own way. His dark brown hair is usually cut short but still he manages to sport bed head wherever he goes. His hazel green eyes had bags underneath from endless late night gaming sessions. He was tall and definitely too skinny for the baggy clothes he usually sported. However, he always spent time with me and when he smiled at me it was always genuine. Most like guys at school either like one extreme or the other. They like the hot blondes or they like the beautiful mixed girls. No one ever paid much attention to me I have long muddy brown curly hair, and freckles. The only redeeming quality of mine is my pale grey blue eyes that are like my life, an endless cloudy day. Sometimes people would try and approach me to go out or hook up. It’s honestly really hard to make friends let alone boyfriends when you’re not interested in getting fuck up, or chancing teen pregnancy. Which for the most part are the only activities anyone is into other than TikTok trends. I don’t know when everyone became so focused on what others have and not paying attention to taking care of each other. No one is interested in someone unless you can gain from them. I wonder what the world would look like if we all genuinely took care and cared for each other.
“an…”
“ean!…..Jean” Jeremiah grabbed my shoulder and shook.
“Hey are listening to me?” He was leaning his head down to me with a concerned look on his face.
“Yeah Jere, I’m sorry I just spaced out for a second, what were you saying?” What was I thinking about. A world like can never happen with all the selfish people in the world. I’m sure the world leaders made it that way. It easy to pacify people with shiny objects and hope of fame. While secretly luring them into the cage of their own making.
“I was saying I just downloaded the new map and if your down to hop on tonight?” Jeremiah beamed I could tell he was pumped for the new update.
“Sure sounds like fun. I downloaded it last night so it should have finished sometime this morning.” Shooting things was a good way to blow off steam and I already boomed the history test so it’s not like I’m busy.
“Awesome. I tested Kai so he might hop on with us later on as well.” Kai is Jeremiah’s friend from trade school. Usually you have to be 18 but Jeremiah is a genius with video games and is determined to make his own and get on Forbes. Kai has played with us before and he seems like a total duchebag. He’s apparently 20 and has been attending the trade school for a year. All I know is he steals my shots and says uncomfortable things in the mic whenever Jeremiah has to leave the game. He does have a sexy voice.. but still it’s not ok for him to say such creepy things. Like my voice is pleasant to the ears..such a pervy uncle thing to say. We made it to the corner of the street and were about to say bye when it happened. We had no idea where it came from or what was happening. But as I walking away from Jeremiah towards my house they sounded.
Trumpets. It sounded like there was a whole orchestra of trumpets, but I didn’t see anything. Could just hear the clear beautiful sound. Then… Rain? No I was crying. Hysterically crying and I could not stop. I looked everywhere for a source, a place the sound could be coming from but there was nothing. The sound seemed to be enveloping me. I glanced in Jeremiah’s direction to see him on his knees just staring at the sky bawling. I whipped my gaze to the sky to see..heaven. The sky’s were open like a door directly to god had been opened up for all to catch a glimpse. It was the most breathtaking sight I had ever seen. The sky’s flowed with colors I didn’t even have a name for. Had colors like this always existed? They were shinning and draped in white cloths wings flapping so elegantly as they descended down like falling snows. The sky’s were filled with them. Angels. The sounds of the trumpets still echoing through the air. Seven of them. Seven angels, and seven trumpets. Then the sky filled with glowing blue lights. They floated one by one to the door before transforming into bodies like that of the shining angels. An explosion was the first reminder of the world around me. I looked up the street to see the plume of smoke in the air. Screams and cries could be heard through the sound of the heavenly music. I turned to where I’d seen Jeremiah, but he was gone. They kept passing through, blue orbs continued to rise from earth towards the door. I ran. My family! Mom, dad, Lizzie! I had to run faster. Ran through the Fitzgibbins yard and I hopped the fence separating our back yards. Racing inside the house.
“MOM, DAD, LIZZIE! Where are you!” I frantically searched room after room but there was nothing. Mom and dads bed was untouched bibles on their night stands and slippers by the foot of the bed. Lizzie’s room was covered in her stuffed animals. The kitchen sink was running and there was a half eaten sandwich on the table. But no one….. no one is here. What is happening!

Tiamat let out a hissing laugh as she raised both hands, unleashing a wave of twisting and churning purple mist at the party standing before her. The mist expanded towards the group before Misha rammed his great blade into the ground, fire erupting from the impact as he and Ludwig roared in unison, Ludwigs claws clapping together before separating wide as he shouted:
”AEGIS!”
A barrier , made of Ludwig and Mishas magic mixed together, formed around them and the others, flashing and warping as the miasma struck it, battering the barrier like a horde of smoky tendrils.
Tamil hissed under his breath, bow snapping up and twangling as the smaller dragon unleashed arrows as fast as he could, each one glinting with green magic and fizzing as it struck the miasma.
“Cyka….” Svet mumbled, her blade at the ready, breathing in and preparing to unleash more Dragons Fire-
The red clad mage sprinted forward, ignoring Tamils panicked shouts as he hung low to the ground, right as Svet breathed out, unleashing a amethyst blast of plasma.
The Lich Queen laughed as she held up a claw, a barrier of miasma erupting to block the flame. “Silly, foolish welp~ I Know how to keep Cleansing Fire from-” she jerked back as a metal fist erupted out of the miasma, much to her shock, followed by the mage, unharmed, if a little singed. Her hand shot up and caught the metal fist, a smirk forming on her face. ”Fascinating~ I wonder, how did you survive the Fog of the undead, little squishy~?” she purred, before a click was heard.
“That's for me to know, and you to ponder” Talos said with a tone indicative of a smug grin-
BOOM
The pipe on the back of his arm went off, its payload breaking the claws that held his metal hand and drilling into the face of the dragon Lich, making her stumble back as the sound of shattering metals could be heard behind her.
She swung her arm, using the remains of her claws to throw the smaller magic user across the room, and spun around to stare at the remains of the odd pedestal she had been messing with. Sick sounds of cracking bone, splintering and reforming to maintain her shape, were heard as she realized what the little mage had done.
”.......no…..no no NO NO NO!” She snarled as she looked up into the darkness of the massive room behind her and began to slowly step back….
Around them, they heard the sound of something whining, rising in pitch and volume as Talos heaved himself up from where he had been thrown, his glowing irises locked on the Lich Queen in horror. “You actually tried to activate and control it!? Are you FECKING insane!?” He shouted, as a single, massive, crimson light suddenly illuminated the darkness.
“WARNING. PURGER ONLINE. ALL REMAINING PERSONNEL ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE THEIR PEACE AND PREPARE FOR IMMOLATION.”
The strange voice seemed to echo around them, as around the crimson light, two blue lights ignited, burning with a baleful glow, swiveling around in the shadows, aimed at them.
“GET TO COVER, NOW!” Talos yelled, diving for a hole in the wall as the rest of the party ducked out the door they came in through, escaping just before whatever was in the darkness unleashed a storm of blue energy, filling the room with a blast of light and destructive energy.
/zzzzzzzzzz/
WARNING! Mana Regeneration nullified due to Mana acclimators in use within vicinity
WARNING! Mana loss detected! Rate of .05 per second!
Mana Low, Mana:20/75
Talos cursed as he twisted through the air, mentally berating himself as the light from the smoldering, immolated room above him illuminated the area he had thrown himself into. Before him stretched a massive room, lined with concrete and rails designed to carry heavy assembly arms, one of which hanging just on the edge of the illuminated area…… and as he was taking all in he caught sight of a metal hydraulic piston swinging out at him, easily multiple times bigger than himself.
Channeling a little Mana to his feet, he twisted himself upright, before expelling it out in an explosive, bright blast in an effort to slow himself down. Despite his efforts, he still slammed into the piston hard, slid down and catching on a metal panel-
“UN4L1GHN3D 4UT0M4NC3R D3T3CT3D. PR10R1T151NG T4RG3T.”
“......feck.'' Talos sighed as he heard the blast of binary shake the room, thankful he didn't have eardrums for the machine to damage, despite its best efforts.
WARNING! MANA CRITICALLY LOW!
Mana:9.95/75
The automancer cursed to himself softly as he saw just how little Mana he had remaining, and how much he had used to slow himself down, before movement catches his eye. He barely swings himself around the piston as a massive metal, arachnid like leg slams down where he just was.
Shaking his head from the clouds, he began to pull himself up the piston he was on, climbing on top and running along it, a malevolent optic focusing on him as he moved.
“T4RG3T L0C4T3D.”
The sound of rocket motors filled the room, bright lights from missile exhaust partially illuminating the machine as they arched through the dark chamber, forming a pseudo eclipse of their own engines as they angled at the running skeleton.
Sounds of metal shutters opening were heard, accompanied by the whine of something charging up and dozens of pinpricks of light illuminating underneath, around and above the massive optic focused on Talos, along with the two larger Plasma casters on either side of the eye.
Talos wasn't playing fair, however. Reaching down into his bag, he pulled out the metal grapple and rope he still had on him from going spelunking in that cave for ores, and twirled it as he ran….
Just as the missiles were about to hit his cloak, he let the grapple fly, swinging it down around the slowly moving machine’s leg, only for it to come back up and hook on its armor on the other side. Once hooked, he leapt off the side of the piston, letting his weight and momentum swing him to avoid the missiles, if only barley, before landing on the other side of where he jumped from. Once he landed the hook slipped free, as his weight wasn't pulling down to keep it in place anymore.
Talos pulled the rope back, twirling it again before letting it fly forward, latching onto the leg once again, this time at the height of its knee joint that was sticking out into the air, a blue, crystal like cylinder jutting out from it, armor covering the half of it aimed away from the main body, and glowed brightly.
It seemed to be pulling some form of mist into itself…
“Bingo.” Talos muttered as he spotted the cylinder, clambering up the rope as fast as he could, even as the chatter of weapons fire erupted around him and the leg began to move, forcing the rope, and himself, to be flung back and forth.
“THR34T 45535M3NT, T4RG3T 4PPR04CH1NG 4CCUMUL4T0R. CUTT1NG 0FF R0UT3”
Weapons fire screamed through the air in a flurry of energy, the projectiles launched all traveled slower than a bullet, but were easily able to singe the rope burning it in half as Talos watched helplessly.
He cursed as he fell, spinning about as he saw another leg aimed at him, and grinned, grabbing onto it as it barely missed him and using its momentum to fling himself back to the piston.
He drew his revolver from its holster and ran, ducking and dodging around blasts of prepared spells and mana, ignoring the explosions and debris the spells sent flying off the concrete walls of the room, leaping from the piston to its casing as it moved, and began chanting quietly to himself, a golden energy forming around the barrel of the ring action pistol, Aurebesh swirling around the glowing sphere as he moved.
One particularly nasty blast of energy forced him to jump, and he took advantage of it, spinning around in the air and aiming, before pulling the trigger.
The muted explosion of the cartridge going off went unnoticed as the glowing round streaked from the barrel, striking the Mana Accumulator and causing it to cave in on itself-
WA-BOOM
The ensuing detonation blew the leg off and unleashed a wave of stored mana, slamming into Talos and being absorbed by his body, and more importantly, his Phylactery.
WARNING! MANA SURGE DETECTED!
MANA POOL OVERLOADED! Mana: @>²()!?/75
WARNING! MANA LEVELS RISING!
EXPEL MANA TO PREVENT CRITICAL FAILURE OF PHYLACTERY!
Talos hissed as his prosthetic arm spasmed and twitched, fighting with it to get it under control, using the sudden surge of power to speed up his perception and buy time to think.
The room was illuminated by the ethereal glow of the Mana, some being absorbed by him, but much of it was flowing back into the other crystals of the massive, six legged machine….
Well. Five legged, now.
The machine in question looked odd, a sphere connected to the arachnid like legs, acting as a central hub, with a second sphere acting as its abdomen, massive and covered with weapons, arranged in a ring pattern and pushing out of hatches on its back. The outermost ones looked to be some sort of anti infantry armament, fast and able to overwhelm infantry armor and shields, while inner rings seemed to contain artillery and anti aircraft weapons. On its head area was the spherical optic, the twin plasma casters on either side of said optic appearing like some form of facsimile of fangs. The machine itself clung to the wall, its optic swiveling to look ‘up’ from its perspective, tracking him closely from its position.
Waves of mana pinged off it, like echolocation, striking him, though slower now with his altered perception, letting him see how they interacted with the machine-
New skill gained!
Mana Scanning. 1/10
By sending out a pulse of mana, Talos can do an in-depth scan of a target to find weaknesses in its armor, weapons, and many other things. Mana absorbing materials, however, can nullify this ability unless overcharged
The scan showed there were little in the way of weakpoints….well, short of the Mana Accumulators on the ‘knees’, but that could make things worse then better, if destroying one was anything to go by.
He hissed as he saw exactly what he feared in the very Core of the machine, a beating, pulsing heart consisting of radioactive isotopes and severely unstable Mana, both providing power for the mechanoid’s destructive rampage……
And the final end. If he removed the legs, he suspected it would trigger its own self destruct, and if it was anything like a Mjölnir class core he was used to, anywhere from the surrounding area to the whole continent was going to be a uninhabitable crater, and the entire planet would end up irradiated.
He didn't have a team to coordinate with, so he would make do with what he had.
Twisting around, he examined the chamber, now illuminated by the mana… and saw massive, mechanical armature laying around the room, likely meant for other mechanoids like the one he faced down now, but never being completed or having been discarded to be cannibalized for parts, even another one of the massive bucket wheel excavators from the entry hall lay off to the side, mostly disassembled except for the arm….
It clicked. The mechanoid was designed for infantry or armor….
But not another one of its Own.
/zzzzzzzzzz/
Tiamat, the Lich Queen, floated above the fight, watching in fascination as the massive warmachine she had tried to control focused down the Automancer, her smirk widening as she saw the mage run headlong into the fight, pulling out some quite clever tricks when he realized the mana drain in progress. She herself could feel the negligible drain on her mana, but ignored it, having the mana to spare, watching as the mage shot the Mana Accumulator, causing it to explode.
She sighed, a pity. The little mage was far too close to the explosion, such a thing would fry any normal organic, and even a Lich like herself would have an issue with such an influx of mana…. Truly, a great loss. Not many would think to close the gap between herself and them under the cover of their own allies' fire and use a Force Multiplier at point blank on her. The aim was a bit off, but she attributed that to him thinking her Heart for this body was in her head-
WHOOOORACK-CRACK-CRACK-CRACK
She flinched and shot back as a flood of golden mana erupted from the tiny pinprick that was the mages body, acting like ethereal mechadendrites, ripping the long dormant machines around them off the walls, from their resting areas on the floor or in storage. As components flew, they started to pop apart and began swirling around the tiny mage as he floated back up, hovering before the Purge Machine, much to its, and her, confusion.
The Automancer spread his arms, and the machinery began to assemble itself around him, first forming what looked like a Command Throne, which floated up for him to sit in, before a shell surrounded him…..
And then the components bound themselves together, forming a massive, bipedal body, digitigrade legs keeping balance as pistons hissed once it touched the floor, feet designed with three toe claws in the front and one in the back, capable of digging into the ground if needed. One arm ended with the massive bucket wheel of the excavator rather than a hand, while the other arm was tipped with bladelike claws, around a massive Mana Cannon, glowing with ethereal golden energy.
The shoulder joints were protected with rectangular pauldrons, the arms made out of massive pistons and supports. The upper body was designed like a knight's cuirass, though the belly area was segmented armor plates, while a short, segmented tail stuck out like that of a dragon, allowing for balance.
Along the spine area were dormant Mana Accumulators, retracted and shrouded to protect them, hidden underneath short, sharp spines. The head was ripped off one of the older bipedal Purge Machine frames, like the legs had been, and designed to look draconic, its optical bar igniting, a glowing point of light panning back and forth on the visor as the machine stared down its competitor.
“ŔØŮÑĎ ŤẀØ, MÓŤĤÉŘFËĈĶƏŔ.”Came the distorted voice of the automancer at the heart of the monstrosity, as the war machine dropped into a combat stance. Leading with a brutal right hook, the mech brought the spinning bucket wheel slashing across his opponents back before it could fire, the sound of screeching metal ringing out and filling the chamber.
/zzzzzzzzzz/
“ACH DU HEILIGE SCHEISSE! SVET, DIE HÖLLE DID YOU FIND!?” Ludwig said in stupefied horror as they watched their teammate pull machinery around him apart and form a massive Automail armor.Its optical bar light going back and forth was all they could make out in the distant shadows, until the sound of screeching metal and the sight of sparks illuminated him and the machine he was fighting.
The others around the pearly white dragon were watching in shock, all of them looking out the window of the room they were in, which appeared to be some kind of control room. Around them stood a variety of destroyed machines, and what looked to them like something where one would stand and place a book or scroll, but nothing but ash remained on it.
The room just outside the window looked like a arena, the massive spider like machine leaping off the wall, its legs spinning around to try and pin down their mages Automail armor, only for a glow of mana to erupt from the armor, launching it to the side and bringing the other hand to bear. The barrel in its ‘palm’ began to charge up as the claws retracted, unleashing a bright golden blast of energy and punching a massive dent in his opponents armor, causing the spider to screech loudly
“THR34T 45535M3NT R41S3D, T4RG3T C4P4BL3 0F C0MB4T C0NSTRUCT5.*”
Ludwig couldn't make out what the machine said, even as the two circled one another in the arena, the massive wheel spinning on Talos’s armor while the spider mech kept its single optic focused on him, its remaining weapons aimed at the other machine, but not firing.
Misha hissed angrily as a purple haze suddenly hit the massive spider machine, making it screech and chitter as the miasma tried to push into the holes in the armor from its fight with Talos, the crimson light from its glass eye flickering from red to purple.
“3RR0R-3RR0R! H05T1L3 PR0GR4M SP3LL D3T3CT3D! S34RCH1NG……T4RG3T L0C4T3D.”
The machine blasted out, still unintelligible to Ludwig, but even he could see the optic snap to look up, locking onto a small purple spot in the air, as it charged forward.
The weapons on its back ignited, hissing as spellfire erupted from the remaining functional weapons systems, unleashing blast after blast and causing the purple pin prick to begin teleporting around to avoid the spellfire. The Automail armor caught the spider as it charged, the bucket wheel spinning to pin a leg between it and the arm to hold it in place, trying to lift the arachnid up by its front legs before delivering a brutal spartan kick to its underside, directly hitting a hatch trying to open up and crushing whatever was popping out.
The spider screeched as it slammed onto its back from the kick, its legs spinning around to lift it up off the ground, MORE weapons popping out from its underside-turned back, though they were noticeably smaller, likely meant for infantry.
The weapons took aim at both of its opponents, unleashing blast after blast into the air, missing the smaller, faster target. The larger one, built using the cast offs of its own design phases, simply shrugged off the attacks, choosing to rush forward itself, leaving gouges in the floor as it charged, one shoulder down in a tackle position.
The spider hissed and lept to the side, chattering in what almost appeared as mockery….
Right as the spinning bucket wheel struck another one of its leg’s knees, shattering the glowing column in it and letting loose another vicious blast of mana….
But this time, instead of an explosion, it was all pulled into the massive Automail armor's own crystals, which had, for but a moment, popped out of its spine, drawing all the mana into itself and converting it into a deep, golden color.
Just as they retracted into the armor once more, a purple miasma began covering both combatants, cruel laughter ringing out over the arena….. only to be cut off as a massive blast erupted out from the Automail armor, punching a hole in the ceiling where the purple pin prick had been and causing part of the cave to collapse down, catching the purple blight and pulverizing it against the floor.
/zzzzzzzzzz/
Talos panted heavily on his command throne, cables running under his cloak and connecting to his Phylactery, allowing fine motor control over the towering mechanism as if it were his own body, but he had a time limit, mentally and mana wise. The strain of minutely controlling every sub system was hard on a human mind, and he was running low on mana, even drawing from the mechs own reserves.
The top up from the Purge machines Mana Accumulator had helped stave off power loss, but the consecutive blasts from the main cannon, purification spells to keep the miasma out, and minute shield spells across the armor was running him ragged, especially with his own Accumulators shrouded to protect them. He had already burned off the initial charge he had gotten at point blank range when he built the armor, and he had to take out the Purge Machine before it set off its core…..
“...that's it!” He mumbled to himself, sending out an overcharged mana pulse, much to the spider mech’s confusion, easily overpowering its remaining mana Accumulator’s defenses, and got another in depth scan.
“Now, where….There!” The smaller Lich smirked before charging forward, pumping a little extra mana into the pistons to help launch him forward, cannon arm's claws extended as he rammed it through the hole he had made earlier on the arachnids back, now underside, and dug them into the core, wrapping the claws around it.
The massive spider mech screeched again, binary alarms blasting out as he yanked, bucket wheel pressed against machine’s side, helping brace him against it….
And with one final tug, just as the Spider mech brought its leg down and broke the bucket wheel, he tore the core out, the sudden loss of opposing power allowing him to shove the other mech away…. even as he felt his own mech loose power, both from lack of mana, and his Phylactery forcing him to sleep, mind tired from working every system under heavy duress…..
/zzzzzzzzzz/
Tiamat watched, unseen, no longer inhabiting the simulacrum which had been ground to dust under the rubble, as the mecha before her lost power, the stub of its arm resting against the ground, while the other hand clutched the remains of a NIM core tightly, carefully, as if to protect it.
She slowly smirked to herself, an idea beginning to form in her mind as she stared up at the machine. True, she failed in her objective…. but she had also found something so, so much better.
“I'll see you soon…. my little Automancer~” She purred as she faded away to one of her other, spare bodies, pulling it from its casket with a smirk on her boney muzzle.

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• Western Press Mk Cans II Character DLC
• Western Press
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• 140
• MirrorMoon EP
• Contraption Maker
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• Gentlemen!
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• Ignite
• Tank Operations - European Campaign
• McGuffin Curse

5$ * Earth Defense Force 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair + a ton of DLC * DLC list here
   
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• Ticket to Ride: Classic Edition + DLC Europe + France + UK + Asia + India + Nordic + USA 1910 + Switzerland

   
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OFFER Buy 10 games of the this list for 4$
   

• 140
• 3079 – Block Action RPG FPS
• A Juggler's Tale
• Age of Steel: Recharge
• Air Guardians
• Akane the Kunoichi
• Axis Game Factory
• Battlesloths 2025: The Great Pizza Wars
• Blob From Space
• Clickr
• Combat Wings: Battle of Britain
• Conan Chop Chop
• Contraption Maker
• Dark Raid
• Dark Shadows - Army of Evil
• Death Track: Resurrection
• Demolition Master 3D
• Depths of Fear: Knossos
• Divekick
• Doc Clock: Toasted Sandwich of Time
• Dock Clock
• Dungeons: The Eye of Draconus
• dUpLicity ~Beyond the Lies~
• Dynamite Jack
• Endorlight
• Evan's Remains
• Faces of War
• Fun with Ragdolls: The Game
• Fun with Ragdolls
• Fury Unleashed
• Game Corp DX
• Gentlemen
• Girls Like Robots
• Gravity Badgers
• Haegemonia: Legions of Iron
• Haegemonia: The Solon Heritage
• Heileen 1: Sail Away
• Humanity Asset
• Ignite
• Into the Void
• Kholat
• Kingdom Elemental
• Love Letter
• MacGuffin's Curse
• Mayhem Intergalactic
• Memories of a Vagabond
• Metrocide
• Millennium: A New Hope
• MirrorMoon EP
• N.P.P.D. RUSH - The milk of Ultraviolet
• Nether: Resurrected
• Nightsky
• Ocean City Racing
• Out of Reach
• Particulars
• Party of Sin
• POSTAL 2
• Praetorians
• Random Access Murder
• Recovery Search & Rescue Simulation
• Reflex
• Relicta
• Retimed
• Rover Mechanic Simulator
• SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition
• Shadows: Price for Our Sins Bonus Edition
• Shark Attack Deathmatch 2
• Shelter 2
• Shoppe Keep
• shutshimi
• Sid Meier’s Ace Patrol: Pacific Skies
• Size Matters
• SOL Exodus
• Space Trader: Merchant Marine
• Spirits
• Splendor
• STANDBY
• STCC II DLC for Race07
• Steam Bandits Outpost Explorer Equipment
• Still There
• Stonerid
• Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones
• Super 3-D Noah's Ark
• Super Killer Hornet: Resurrection
• Sweezy Gunner
• Symphony
• Tank Operations - European Campaign
• The Great Jitters: Pudding Panic
• The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day
• The Wild Eight
• THOTH
• ThreadSpace: Hyperbol
• TIMEframe
• Total Pro Golf 3
• Uriels Chasm
• Valfaris
• Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Heart of the Forest
• Western Press + Mk Cans II Character DLC
• Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge
• Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter
• Cities: Skylines DLC - K-pop Station
• Cities: Skylines DLC - Airports
• Cities: Skylines DLC- JADIA Radio
• Cities: Skylines DLC - African Vibes
• Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG

   
1.75$
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• OTXO
• Rebel Inc: Escalation
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• Black Skylands
• Small World + Spider Web + Cursed + Royal Bonus
• Terraformers EU
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3
• King Of The Castle
• Amanda the Adventurer
• Loddlenaut
• Steelrising

   

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IGSRep +118 trades confirmed
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GameTradeREP +24 trades confirmed
       
Payment through Paypal (USD) using Good & Services option. Not accepting other type of payment (bitcoin, Venmo, etc). If you want to pay using F&F option fees are on your own (I'm from EU).
     
Press Ctrl + F to search games in the list
   
  Want List

• Huntdown
• We Were Here Forever
• THE DARK PICTURES ANTHOLOGY: LITTLE HOPE

 
   
   
SPECIAL PACK This 12 games for 1$

• Western Press Mk Cans II Character DLC
• Western Press
• Kholat
• 140
• MirrorMoon EP
• Contraption Maker
• Air Guardians
• Gentlemen!
• Gravity Badgers
• Ignite
• Tank Operations - European Campaign
• McGuffin Curse

5$ * Earth Defense Force 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair + a ton of DLC * DLC list here
   
10$
Game deslisted from Steam

• Ticket to Ride: Classic Edition + DLC Europe + France + UK + Asia + India + Nordic + USA 1910 + Switzerland

   
0.80$ each one
OFFER Buy 5 games of the this list for 3$
OFFER Buy 10 games of the this list for 4$
   

• 140
• 3079 – Block Action RPG FPS
• A Juggler's Tale
• Age of Steel: Recharge
• Air Guardians
• Akane the Kunoichi
• Axis Game Factory
• Battlesloths 2025: The Great Pizza Wars
• Blob From Space
• Clickr
• Combat Wings: Battle of Britain
• Conan Chop Chop
• Contraption Maker
• Dark Raid
• Dark Shadows - Army of Evil
• Death Track: Resurrection
• Demolition Master 3D
• Depths of Fear: Knossos
• Divekick
• Doc Clock: Toasted Sandwich of Time
• Dock Clock
• Dungeons: The Eye of Draconus
• dUpLicity ~Beyond the Lies~
• Dynamite Jack
• Endorlight
• Evan's Remains
• Faces of War
• Fun with Ragdolls: The Game
• Fun with Ragdolls
• Fury Unleashed
• Game Corp DX
• Gentlemen
• Girls Like Robots
• Gravity Badgers
• Haegemonia: Legions of Iron
• Haegemonia: The Solon Heritage
• Heileen 1: Sail Away
• Humanity Asset
• Ignite
• Into the Void
• Kholat
• Kingdom Elemental
• Love Letter
• MacGuffin's Curse
• Mayhem Intergalactic
• Memories of a Vagabond
• Metrocide
• Millennium: A New Hope
• MirrorMoon EP
• N.P.P.D. RUSH - The milk of Ultraviolet
• Nether: Resurrected
• Nightsky
• Ocean City Racing
• Out of Reach
• Particulars
• Party of Sin
• POSTAL 2
• Praetorians
• Random Access Murder
• Recovery Search & Rescue Simulation
• Reflex
• Relicta
• Retimed
• Rover Mechanic Simulator
• SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition
• Shadows: Price for Our Sins Bonus Edition
• Shark Attack Deathmatch 2
• Shelter 2
• Shoppe Keep
• shutshimi
• Sid Meier’s Ace Patrol: Pacific Skies
• Size Matters
• SOL Exodus
• Space Trader: Merchant Marine
• Spirits
• Splendor
• STANDBY
• STCC II DLC for Race07
• Steam Bandits Outpost Explorer Equipment
• Still There
• Stonerid
• Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones
• Super 3-D Noah's Ark
• Super Killer Hornet: Resurrection
• Sweezy Gunner
• Symphony
• Tank Operations - European Campaign
• The Great Jitters: Pudding Panic
• The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day
• The Wild Eight
• THOTH
• ThreadSpace: Hyperbol
• TIMEframe
• Total Pro Golf 3
• Uriels Chasm
• Valfaris
• Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Heart of the Forest
• Western Press + Mk Cans II Character DLC
• Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge
• Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter
• Cities: Skylines DLC - K-pop Station
• Cities: Skylines DLC - Airports
• Cities: Skylines DLC- JADIA Radio
• Cities: Skylines DLC - African Vibes
• Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG

   
1.75$
OFFER Buy 3 games of this second list for 4$

• The Red Lantern
• OTXO
• Rebel Inc: Escalation
• Kraken Academy
• Black Skylands
• Small World + Spider Web + Cursed + Royal Bonus
• Terraformers EU
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3
• King Of The Castle
• Amanda the Adventurer
• Loddlenaut
• Steelrising

   

About 8 months ago I met someone in an open relationship I had insane chemistry with from the start. We kept it casual for a while, but after a couple months she told me she developed feelings for me and wanted us to be more serious and more long-term. This was explicitly communicated with and okay'd by her partner beforehand. (In general, all throughout this story, her primary partner was kept in the loop, was generally admirable, and I'm still close with him. He or my relationship to him was never the issue). She also, in the same night, mentioned a trauma-related issue to me that she presented as "It could've happened to us that we triggered the trauma, I'm glad it didnt". I was still quite worried and asked her if I need to be concerned about that in the future, and she very confidently said no, it's not going to be an issue.
About a week later she ended things with me over exactly that trauma surfacing, through no fault of my own or her, tbh. I had previously not even considered the possibility of us being more serious, but during that week where I "allowed myself" to actually engage with my feelings about the situation, I could tell I had begun falling for her. So I was quite hurt by this, and asked her for space.
Not quite 2 weeks later she contacted me again, saying she misses me and wants to spend time with me again, but platonically. We tried that for a while, but we immediately fell back into flirting, cuddling etc.. We did keep it to things you could realistically pretend were platonic, though. We got ever closer again, culminating in falling asleep in each others arms on the sofa after watching a movie with her boyfriend. She did reaffirm that she "couldnt" go back to the way things were due to her issues (and her at that time drastically worsening mental state, for mostly unrelated reasons). The week after that we were out with a large group of mutual friends and I was mostly preoccupied with other people, and apparently wasnt giving her enough attention, cause she ended up making some choices that she knew would not only piss me off but genuinely hurt me. This ended in a long discussion about everything, in which I expressed that I couldnt be "just" friends with her without constantly being hurt, longing for more, knowing that the feelings are mutual, and that some of her behaviour in general was a lot to deal with (severe jealousy towards me being involved with other people, while she was seeing someone casually despite her trauma reaction because she felt there was less to lose with him than me being the main thing) Quite early on I mentioned that I wanted to go No Contact for a while to get over her. This let us say everything we wanted without fear of it coming across weird, and we said "I love you" for the first time, she told me she only ever felt this strongly about two other people (her current partner and her one long-term ex) & that she considered us soulmates, even.
Slightly over 2 weeks later, this time, she waited outside a bar she knew I was at to talk to me again. I was very obviously not over her within that short timeframe, and she was once again saying how much she'd missed me etc., and we were making out within 10 seconds of being left alone. She then asked me to meet her for a long, sober conversation a couple days later. In that conversation she reiterated her feelings for me, how awful she felt about the whole situation, but that she wanted to try making it work. However, she also finally admitted that during that fateful conversation where she first brought up her feelings and us being more seriously involved she already knew that her trauma response was going to be an issue for us and straightup lied to me. Us trying went on for a couple weeks, she had become extremely insecure due to her worsening mental health issues (that she's already in therapy for, but is prioritising other things than relationship stuff) & couldnt imagine me actually wanting to be with her, was constantly cancelling plans etc., but I kept reiterating that I was willing to work through whatever issues presented themselves. I ended up asking her on a proper date, and apparently that was the final stressor that she couldnt deal with. I randomly saw her a couple days later (she had never properly responded to me asking her out) and she couldnt even look at me.
She started yet another long conversation, and this time she was really awful about it. Saying due to her mental health issues she had no time for anyone, hence why cancelling on me, when I full well knew she had plans with three other mutual friends in the week before when she was cancelling on me. Telling me that there was too much pressure and too many expectations on us having an actual date (basically implied that I would pressure her into sleeping with me, which is so hilariously out of touch with who she knows me to be it was extremely insulting), even though I constantly reiterated that I only wanted to do what we both were comfortable with, was willing to take everything slow, be patient etc. This stung especially bad because I am apparently the one with too high expectations, while THAT VERY NIGHT she was planning to go meet up with a guy who's literally only in her life because he expects to have sex with her (which she's aware of). Telling me that while she did have strong feelings for me, she didnt see any potential for a relationship because of her issues. She then asked me if we could go back to being friends, and I told her that I didnt think we could, given how that went last time. She asked if we could be friends that make out, and I asked her what the difference between that and "trying" was, to which she had no answer. She then basically said she wanted to cut contact again and then up and left halfway through my reply.
I ended up texting her cause we didnt even finish the conversation, let alone have closure. I told her that I really didnt get why she wasnt even willing to try given our feelings, that I really never meant or tried to put any expectations or pressure on an "us" (during the "deciding to try again" conversation I literally told her the ONLY thing I need her to do is to stop making decisions for me, thinking she knows what's best for me) and was more clear on why I didnt think us being just friends was a good idea, and that I wouldnt blame her for going NC if that's what she wanted to do when sober, but to not make that decision super drunk (as we both were at the time). She replied a couple days later saying she still thinks it's the best for both of us to be NC, that it wouldve been nice if being more than friends would've worked but that we're "past that point", and that she's going to leave me in peace this time. She finished her message by telling me her feelings apparently were never as intense as mine. Leaving about 6 weeks between her telling me we're soulmates and her saying it's not that intense.
Well, since then she actually did leave me in peace. It's been about 5 weeks since then, but I've heard from her partner that she would want me to come be part of the group if I saw them out, instead of avoiding them as I have been doing. Now, this week I'll see her at a birthday party of a mutual friend. I've already decided that I wont proactively go talk to her, but knowing her & how she is when drunk I'm 95% sure she's going to come up to talk to me at that party. And I have no idea what to do. Worse yet, I keep catching myself thinking not about what decision is healthiest for me, but what decision might end with her in my arms again. I'm apparently still not hurt enough to believe it's truly over.
The way I see it, if we speak I could either pretend everythings fine even though I'm still deeply hurt, try to have a good time with her & our friends, but this would once again be me sacrificing my own wellbeing for her (and to some extent, our friends to not ruin their fun with our drama, lol). And I'm not sure if I'm willing to continue doing that.
The other option would be to let her know that I'm hurt & basically give her the chance of either leaving me alone or talking about it & finally having some closure. But I cant help but think that that's not only the option that's worst for her, but also the option with the most "finality", and I'm not ready for that yet...
So, what's the unbiased perspective say here? Act as if all is well, or let her know how much she hurt me?
tl;dr:
On/Off ex of half a year-ish lied to me about something crucial, played with my feelings, projected problems resulting from her mental health issues onto me, and overall left me heartbroken and very hurt. I'll see her again this week, there's no avoiding it, and it's quite likely she'll come talk to me.
Do I act as if all is well for her benefit, or let her know how much she hurt me for my own closure, but at her expense and likely at the expense of maybe rekindling when her mental health issues have improved and she's more herself again?

Forgive any mistakes in this post as I’m not used to actually posting on Reddit.
I (F22) have had a chronic problem for 4 years now and I’ve been to several doctors and ERs about it but I’ve just been given the run around. Lately, the pain has been more frequent and I just want to ask more people because my last check up really sent me down a spiral.
In November 2020 I woke up from pain in my knees to the point where it was painful to walk, my knees were swollen similar to softballs and my hands were swelling as well. The pain was achey, the skin was warm, and I was slightly red there as well. I was rushed to the ER but they didn’t help, by the time they saw me it had gone down, I was given ibuprofen and moved along. The next day, I was still swollen but I could walk fine although I was now itchy around the hands. I went to my primary care doctor and she did X-rays before sending me to rheumatology where they ordered blood tests.
None of these tests showed anything, my white blood cells were up but that was about it. My rheumatologist suggested early rheumatoid arthritis and said they just “hadn’t caught it” at the right time so I was supposed to come back when I was actually having a flare up. For a while I did but I stopped after frustrations and constantly being poked with needles just for everything to say I was fine. I ignored the swelling and and itching just fine until 2023.
Around 2023 I started a new job at Disney World and a quarter through the summer job I noticed that I during my shifts I suddenly developed hives and swollen around my legs and arms. Not only that, I would get these hives on my back and stomach when sleeping in my bed without moving. My mom suggested a reaction to clothing and sheets but they were the same ones from home as well as the detergent I used, food was the same, environment was different but I was raised in Florida before leaving and returning for my job so I didn’t feel like it was the air. Finally, doctors concluded that they were stress hives which didn’t make sense to me considering I had been much more stressed in my life but i digressed. The only thing that soothes the hives was cortisol cream and ice which I had to apply every morning to the back of my knees (the biggest hive and swelling spot).
This continued until I returned to my home outside of Florida and continued to have hives only this time I tracked them and found they also occurred from pressure. My nephew stamped me with a stamp he’d gotten from a birthday party and my skin got a hive the shape of the smiley face. If I scratched my skin would give the scratch. Suddenly my skin was extremely sensitive. On top of that, my legs were swelling up to softball sizes again, I found that I couldn’t stretch my right leg (most prone to swelling) without a pain in my knee and almost a feeling of resistance.
Another doctor, as per my mothers request, recommended I see an allergist after a night where I cried from the pain my shoulder was in. The entire right side of my back was swollen and my right arm ached similarly to that of when you feel as if a body part is about to fall asleep. I couldn’t sleep, only heat and pressure would help. I visited an allergist who tested my skin to see if I could get an allergy test but said it was too sensitive and read a false positive on saline. I refused to see another doctor after that because it was just very frustrating, I’d come terms that I had a chronic problem and assumed it was just rheumatoid arthritis like said before.
Until, 2024, earlier this year, I visited another rheumatologist after receiving a call saying a waitlist I’d been on for an appointment was finally available. I decided to give it a shot and was actually surprised by the results,
I didn’t actually have rheumatoid arthritis and this doctor seemed to be the only one who didn’t shake me off after a clear blood test. She ordered a full body lab of X-rays and found lots of soft tissue swelling in my hands and knees where I had complained but didn’t have an answer as to why. Which brings me now,
I was told to get another allergy test but I’m worried this is another waste of time, is there anything that sounds like this in allergy? If not rheumatoid arthritis then,,,what else could it be?

I told them lol and it was chaos 😂
In the group chat, I told them I had new clothes and wanted them to tell me if they liked it, so I sent a picture… belly out. They were confused, but then they exploded, my favorite reactions were “YOU FAT OR PREGNANT? 😭”, “WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON??????”, “YOU FREAKING BITCH! I LOVE YOU!”, “WHAAAAAAAT ANOTHER HAPPY ACCIDENT? 🥹❤️,” “OMG another distinguished member of the gang!” Then they started to ask about baby (I love them so much because they always think about her 🥹).
So, that same afternoon they came over, somehow unannounced but hey, we knew they’d pass by. At this point, I hadn’t told them it is twins. We got them a bottle of wine with a card saying “Open until [insert due date]” and an ultrasound image. They were so confused again, until one of them realized it was two beans… let’s just say I’ll have to get another bottle to replace this one 😂 it was very funny because any of them said it out loud, when they realized what they were seeing, they just reacted to the realization with “omgs” and “wtfs” and teary eyes, hugs and crying. Then, there was this auntie that didn’t get it and was so confused, poor thing lol Grauntie’s daughter cursed me (joking, of course) because I didn’t tell them it was two 😂 she cried so much because of the emotions. Then the other aunties cursed me because Grauntie auntie knew and they didn’t 😂 we all were obviously joking.
Hubby hid himself upstairs with baby lol there was a lot of screaming, we laughed so much, we cried so much and then they started to scream up through the stairs to congratulate hubby and say things like “good job, dude” 🤣 I didn’t tell them it’s two girls, there were so many emotions already LMAO
But, overall, it was very emotional. They said hubby and I deserved this more than anyone and that if there’s someone who deserves all this happiness it’s me 🥺 they said they are sure I’ll be a great mom for them as I have been for baby and that they will be immensely loved and safe with hubby and me as their parents. And that they as aunties will give so much extra love to them that they’ll explode. They said “we will always be your baby’s friends, even when they grow up.” They reassured me that they don’t know anything about how to take care of babies but they’ll be here to help with the twins and baby as much as I need.
One of the aunties texted me at night and I sobbed so much. She said “I can’t sleep because I’m so excited for you and I hope I’m not waking you up with this. I told [her hubby] about it and basically said it is sweet news, told me to say congratulations. I guess he’ll be contacting [my hubby]. I am really so happy for you, [me] and all I want is for you to be calm and in peace enjoying this part of your life. I know you pretty well to know you’re feeling scared and somehow lonely. I mean, who wouldn’t with everything you’ve been dealing with lately? I’m also sure you’re all safe with [hubby] by your side, in all senses, and that’s why I don’t worry too much for you. But I do worry, girl, you don’t deserve more shit in your life and I’m sure these babies are here for you two to make a good contrast, call it a balance, it’s like the yin and yang. And that’s what you deserve, to enjoy your growing family. These babies will be blessed, as [baby] is to have you as a mom and [hubby] as a dad… and us as their aunts, ok? 💅🏻 I know you’ll get through this, you’ve been in dark places and come out stronger and brighter, and this time is not only you, you have a great man right there that loves you like crazy. I know [hubby] would literally die for you and [baby], I have no doubts. Just don’t forget we’re also here for you, in good and bad times, as you have always been for us :) your happines makes us happy. I still can’t believe it’s two :’)”
After that text, I confessed to this auntie that things with this pregnancy are not going as smooth as they should and I cried a bit. She promissed to keep the secret because I don’t want to tell the rest of them. Maybe it’s the hormones but I read our conversation to hubby and cried a bit. I guess I released a lot of stress. I made him hug me for a long time 😅
Then, aunties organized a sleepover for baby because they said the big sister needs special treatment rn and her first sleepover party had to be with them. So, on Friday they came back. The sleepover ended up being a camping in the backyard. Hubbies and boyfriends were invited at the beginning, also because we actually needed help to build the tents 😂 hubby is a camp and survival guy so he was excited because he also got to use some tools I gave him for his birthday. It was so cute because baby was after him observing everything he was doing and was imitating him around, especially when he was working on the fire. This baby girl also likes to play with construction toy tools as his daddy so this was so nice to see 🥹. Boys stayed for a while, until they weren’t welcomed anymore lol we, the girls, watched Lilo & Stitch, and then baby delighted us with a unique show of her singing and dancing Hawaiian. It was super funny because she was, of course, rocking her Stitch costume 😂❤️ one of the aunties gave her a pedicure, she had the full experience. Oh, and they were allowed to play with the Christmas dollhouse :)
Most of them actually stayed here through the night and slept outside. I was going to let the baby sleep in a tent and then take her inside but she was so comfortable and warm that I left her there with the aunties. I, obviously, slept inside in the living room. I knew baby was going to wake up in the middle of the night and she’d probably be scared. She woke up and screm for me but she wasn’t scared, my big brave little girl :’) Hubby sneaked into the sofa with me hehehehehe
Now, aunties are discussing who should be the Godmothers and why, they are postulating themselves, it’s so funny 😂 they also say it is imperative for us to have at least two more babies after the twins so they all can be even LMAO they want to go shopping and get things for the babies and me already 🥹 and I just realized we haven’t bought anything LOL
Also, let me tell you we recently watched Hotel Transylvania and baby loved it so much she’s now obsessed with Mavis. So, I get a rest from Lilo & Stitch 😂
I guess this is all for now. I donMt want to mix happy positive news with ILs bullshit lol

I am planning on surprising my girlfriend on her birthday. For context, her birthday is on the 19th of june and it always falls during the summer vacation and she doesn't get to celebrate it with her friends. Now I want to change that, her parents know me as a really good friend of hers and they are comfortable with me dropping by so I can use that to my advantage. Her little sister knows me very well so I can use her for intel and planning the party. Now I need you guys' to help me put together a surprise so that she enjoys her special day for once. Here's what I have in mind so far : 1) Show up to her doorstep with her favourite rose cake 2) Facetime all her close friends and make them wish her together on videocall 3) gift her a custom Hogwarts acceptance letter (we're huge potterheads) 4) take her out on a date after perhaps?

I need your advice on how to handle my MIL. Ironically I am now at the age that she was when I first met her and became my husband’s (her son’s) fiancé. I am beside myself to think wow. I am so much more mature than she was at 49! This is crazy!! That looney wouldn’t even tap my glass for a cheers toast at her 50th bday party. She made a point of it too! She literally snatched her glass away from my tap after tapping everyone else’s. It was the start of many more progressively passive aggressive hostility behaviors from her for the next 18 years. I had only just met her a few weeks prior. Nice intro to the family dynamic but my husband warned me she was a mega stuck up beotch. Still I thought I could win her over because well I’m pretty likable According to all the people who like Me 😂😜
Fast forward 18 years and Most recently. She decided to throw a baby shower for her daughter (my sil) and instead of checking with me and my daughter if we would be available to attend on a certain date and time (because hello it’s my sister in law and the only auntie my daughter has) she texts me that the baby shower is on this date (2 weeks from the text) and everyone else (her sisters and their daughters) can make it - can you? Didn’t say where or what time. I barely consider that an invite. The fact that she didn’t check to see if I wanted to help or if I was even available to be there (I wasn’t!!) really pushed me over the edge. We were out of town on the only weekend that month that she held the shower. So freaking crazy sad. I wouldn’t dare plan a pretty major thing like that without making sure she was available to attend. I’d check with her first.
Anyway. After that bull shit I’ve decided after 18 years of cat and mouse I am fucking done. For real for real. I look at myself at 49 and I compare my mindset and my mental attitude and empathy to how she treated me and acted towards me as a newcomer to the family at the same age she was then and I am absolutely appalled at how fucking childish and weird and stuck up and just alien and unwelcoming she was. I can’t believe it.
She must have picked up on my disgust at what she did because she made sure to send me a birthday card a week early this year knowing I wasn’t going to have a party or anything. I said thanks by text. That’s it. We haven’t chatted or texted since that baby shower incident.
For the first time in my life I’m like wow. Yeah. You’re not better than me Linda. You’re just a petty small minded pearl clutching twit. Get a life.
Anyway. Mother’s Day is coming up of course. How do we handle? My husband can’t stand her and wants nothing to do with her if he can help it either.
Do I have to send her a card or make him send one or send one on his behalf or just don’t do anything. I hate mothers day so much. It’s so lame and forced. Especially when it comes to in-laws and boomers

Hi everyone!
I've been searching for the name of this nostalgic game for ages but I can't seem to find it, even in databases. I vaguely remember it being called Castle (+ something else or maybe the author name was under the title in the opening screen?) but I can't say for sure. It had classic 3/4 pixelated rpg graphics with dark themes and colours.
It was set in a classic medieval world with magic and initially took place at my character's house or a tavern, I remember the wooden floors and walls, a round table and a lit fireplace at night. I was a purple haired young guy who was asked to delve into this huge castle for some reason, so I remember exploring a dark and scary castle with other characters with different combat abilities and spells, randomly encountering monsters in turn-based combats. The whole game was basically going deeper into the castle. I also remember a very common monster I used to find, a huge purple-grayish blob with a face, and that the perspective shifted from a 3rd person to a 1st person during combat, with more detailed monsters (kinda like how Fear & Hunger works). Monsters also left loot like potions and equippable items, the usual.
Some other random elements or scenes that I remember are that there were outdoors sections during the castle exploration but it was mainly indoors with a very dark, hard and tense atmosphere (I would compare the feeling I had to today's Fear & Hunger games but I was like 9 back then so it wouldn't be so scary today I guess); I also randomly remember visiting empty chambers with a venomous snake coming out of a chest (I remember this because I jumped lol); I know it had a very precise storyline and that we needed to delve deeper for something and that the game ends with the party arriving to a throne room and going through a portal.
I really hope this game was actually out on the market and not some hidden indie creation because I can't find it no matter how much time I invest in this. Also I'm 100% sure I played this on pc because I didn't have consoles at the time but since it was my dad that got it for me, it could also have been on an emulator or a downloaded game of some kind (not even sure he actually bought it, but the game was refined, well-made and long).
Thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to help me as this game means a lot to me <3

"So your boyfriend betrayed you at the wedding and slept with your bridesmaid?" The young billionaire whispered with his hand grabbing Isabella's, who was in a wedding gown. "Do you need me to help you seek revenge? Whether it's the scumbag who betrayed you or your stepmother, they're nothing in front of me." Isabella looked at the handsome man in front of her and nodded. "Marry me, and we'll let them regret it for the rest of their lives."
Chapter 1 Betrayal Up on the massive screen, a couple in their birthday suits were all tangled up, getting hot and heavy, and the surround sound was blasting every moan and breath.
The lady had curves for days and her skin was mad smooth. Then there came a close-up of their faces.
Isabella Sorenson was struck dumb, staring up at the screen, and she felt like she'd just been punched in the gut. The naked couple were none other than her main squeeze Zachary Winslow and her bestie Scarlett Pearson.
And no joke, they were both right there next to her because today was supposed to be Isabella and Zachary's engagement party.
Just a second before, that screen was showing cute throwbacks of Zachary and Isabella growing up together, while some dude was talking all mushy about it. It went from little Isabella at three to Zachary at seven, and then instead of more childhood pictures, the screen switched to the hookup video.
"Ah!" Scarlett let out a scream and threw her arms around Zachary.
Now, if anybody was still clueless about who were up on that screen, everything was out in the open. While Isabella was stuck on the spot, Zachary was hugging Scarlett.
The whole place exploded with whispers and gasps.
"Yo, ain't that Isabella's ride-or-die?" one guest whispered.
"Seriously, Ms. Sorenson got played?" chimed in another.
"Yo, check out that bod!" somebody else hollered.
"What's going on?" Isabella's father, Nathan Ingram, was freaking out, trying to cover up the screen, but this screen was enormous. Though he was like pushing six feet, he looked straight-up silly trying to block it.
Terence Winslow, Zachary's father, was beet red but he bolted toward the control room to turn off the screen.
Scarlett, her eyes leaking like a faucet, hit Isabella with the puppy dog eyes. "Isabella, didn't you pinky swear to let this go? I promised I'd ditch Zachary and leave town the second you're engaged. Why you gotta blast this now? Are you trying to ruin me?"
When Scarlett clung to Zachary, he looked kinda red-faced but went wide-eyed the second he heard what Scarlett said. Holding her firmly, he asked, "What are you saying, Scarlett? Isabella forced you to leave?"
It was as if a bomb had detonated within Isabella's mind, leaving her stunned and disoriented. She stared blankly at Zachary, her childhood sweetheart. Ever since she could remember, Isabella had made up her mind to spend the rest of her life with Zachary.
'When did he and Scarlett become a thing? And when did I ever agree not to pursue this matter? What's going on here? What are they talking about?' Isabelle wondered.
"How could you be so vicious, setting up your own fiancé and best friend?" Zachary's sister, Megan Winslow, shoved Isabella on the shoulder.
Isabella, in a daze, didn't see that coming and staggered backward until she ended up right beside Nathan.
Nathan was filled with fury. Raising his hand, he slapped her in the face. "Look at what you've done! You've brought disgrace upon both our families!"
Before Isabella could even regain her balance, she was knocked to the ground by the slap. Zachary grew anxious and instinctively wanted to help her up, but Scarlett tightened her grip on his arm.
Isabella turned and caught a glance of the smugness in Scarlett's eyes.
"How can you hit your child? Come on, get up, Isabella." A voice was heard as a pair of hands helped Isabella to her feet.
Terence sighed, "Isabella, don't blame your father. What you did was really out of line."
Lorelai Winslow, Zachary's mother, pointed at Scarlett and said, "Where did you come from? You must have seduced my son. Get out of here! I'll never let you become part of our family!"
Scarlett hid behind Zachary like a scared puppy.
Zachary positioned himself protectively in front of Scarlett, his voice firm as he addressed his mother. "Mom, don't blame Scarlett. Isabella, she's your best friend. You can't push her to the brink like this!"
With Terence's support, Isabella finally got back to her feet. A solitary tear traced its path down her cheek. As she gazed up at Zachary, the man she had loved for most of her life, she realized he had become a stranger in the blink of an eye.
'Scarlett's supposed to be my best friend. He knows that. They play me and now it's my bad?' she thought.
"Isabella, I can't even with you. Zach, how can you tie the knot with her? After you're hitched, who knows what stories she'll spin? Can't trust her. Not one bit!" Megan was throwing shade at Isabella before turning to Zachary, all concerned.
Megan had been in the same class as Isabella back in high school, but they never really hit it off. Megan always teamed up with Yvonne Ingram to give Isabella a hard time. Plus, Megan detested the idea of Isabella becoming part of her family.
"Zip it! Isabella is the eldest daughter of the esteemed Sorenson family. And who's that chick? Does she possess the same standing as Isabella? How could the Winslow family be cool with letting just anyone in?" Lorelai snapped off, not realizing she was pretty loud.
Lorelai wasn't Isabella's number one fan, but she was all about that social ladder. Having Isabella marry in was like a major level-up for Zachary. No other high-class family had a daughter that could touch Isabella's status. Plus, Isabella was the kind of person one could sway pretty easy.
So yeah, Lorelai had to make it crystal clear—they couldn't let Isabella slip away.
At first, Isabella kind of felt thankful to her future mother-in-law for stepping up, but then it hit her why she really did it.
"Yes! Isabella, you're the eldest daughter of the Sorenson family. You should consider the reputations of the Sorenson family, the Ingram family, and the Winslow family before doing this!" Yvonne chimed in, looking all stressed.
"Isabella, you've just crushed your dad. His heart's in pieces," Winona said, sounding all sweet but sad.
Winona and Yvonne dropping those lines just made Nathan and Terence pull grumpier faces. 'She's gotta grow up. Can't be airing our dirty laundry like this!' they thought.
Chapter 2 Proposal Isabella looked at the people around her.
Her father, Nathan, was boiling mad.
Her stepmother, Winona, and her half-sister, Yvonne, were getting a kick out of the drama.
Her future father-in-law Terence was just shaking his head, and future mother-in-law Lorelai was cringing.
Her would-be sister-in-law Megan was glaring holes through her.
Her fiancé, Zachary, didn't know what to do. In his arms was the pitiful woman, Scarlett, who was once her best friend.
These folks were Isabella's whole world. And just like that, the world flipped, leaving Isabella as the one everyone was pointing fingers at.
Isabella brushed away the tears and said lightly, "I hereby announce that Zachary Winslow and Isabella Sorenson's marriage contract has been canceled. We have nothing to do with each other from now on. I wish you happiness!" Then she bounced off the stage.
Her dad Nathan jumped in, "Hold up, you think it's just up to you? You and Zachary were a done deal before you were even a twinkle. Don't even try to ditch this without my say-so!" Nathan had always been tough on Isabella, mostly because having Isabella around was a constant reminder that he was kind of a live-in son-in-law and his kids had to take their mom's last name. Big-time embarrassment for a guy who made it big.
"And Isabella, cool it, will ya? Zachary messed up, and we'll make him say sorry. This marriage thing wasn't just your call, it's our families' deal. Don't go and have a meltdown. I got your back," Terence tried to smooth things over.
Then he whirled around and snapped at Zachary, "Zachary! Drop that girl already!"
Zachary looked like he didn't know what hit him.
Scarlett, all tears and drama, shoved Zachary away. "Go after Isabella, Zachary. My bad, it's all on me. I'm no match for Isabella. I'm sorry, Isabella. Forgive me, okay? Don't go."
Zachary just stood there, silent as a ghost.