Of course I loved it as expected, just overall vibe hard with the theme and content. Yes, I have been deeply hurt by a man lol.
I really love how this album is an ALBUM in the truest sense. Every song works together and it just WORKS imo. Even the things I don't like or prefer about it, I have to respect as being part of something greater. It is truly a work of art. That being said this is my order of songs from best to worst:

1. Void - relate too hard to this song and it's so damn catchy too
2. Evil - this song just keeps getting stuck in my head so it's moved up to #2
3. Contortionist - such a bop, love the unique weirdness of it and again I relate Mel, I relate :(
4. Battle of the Larynx - love love love this song
5. Death - haven't got sick of it yet despite listening to it the longest
6. Tunnel Vision - I really love this song and it's only #6 bc the album is that good
7. Womb - I find the chorus a little disappointing in this song but only because the verse/bridge is so SO beautiful
8. Nymphology - I love the sass in this song and just the bubble gum fun-ness of it. Lyrics really make this song for me as I probably wouldn't like it as much if the message were different. Most juvenile sounding song on the album for sure.
9. Spider Web - after first listen, this would have been higher. I just can already feel that it's waning on me more than some of the other tracks. Super catchy good song though.
10. Faerie Soiree - I think this song might move up on my list over time, it's great, there's just something about it that reminds me of... I dunno, Imogen Heap in early 2000s. Ya I'm old but that's what I was thinking of. It is growing on me though with each listen.
11. Leeches - I really like this song, it's just not catchy per se. It's lovely though.
12. Moon Cycle - It's a great song and I kind of love how she's singing about her period, how empowering! Still I can't see myself blasting it out my car windows yknow? Says more about me I guess than the song lol. It's good though. Way shorter than any of my periods :)
13. Light Shower - if my partner wrote this for me I would cry. It's such a beautiful love song. I just think it fits the least with the rest of the album and I don't see myself listening to it a lot.

Hi all!
I have a dedicated Unraid setup consisting of 12 3.5" hard drives in a Rosewill RSV-4000 case. My setup has been running stable for the last year, but I recently moved the server into my A/V rack in my home theater closet and the temps are starting to creep up past 100 degrees on some of the hard drives. I'm still using the stock Rosewill case fans (3x120mm front + 2x80mm rear). The A/V closet has pretty good cooling/forced-air-ventilation - but the Rosewill case just doesn't seem to really exhaust the internal hot air quickly enough.
I need help picking the best fans for keeping these hard drives cool (the CPU stays reasonably cool - fortunately).
The good news is that I don't care at all what they look like, how loud they are, or what they cost!
From my research, I think that the key is to maximize airflow (not pressure). My research so far has been for Noctua fans (NF-S12A).
Any advice?
Do I need to worry about PWM (my mobo is older, so I'm not certain if it has this capability)

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 82%. (I'm a bot)

As Eita Sato and Aoi Hoshi walked towards their junior high school graduation ceremony, their footsteps echoed in polished halls once crowded and noisy with students.
The 76-year-old school will shut its doors for good when the school year ends on Friday.
"We heard rumours about the school closure in our second year, but I didn't imagine it would actually happen. I was shocked," Eita, who like Aoi is 15, said.
As Japan's birthrate plunges faster than expected, school closures have picked up pace especially in rural areas like Ten-ei, a mountainous skiing and hotspring area in Fukushima prefecture, dealing a further blow to regions already struggling with depopulation.
Ten-ei will discuss repurposing the school building.
Aoi, who dreams of being a nursery school teacher in her hometown, will attend a different school from Eita starting in April.

Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: school^#1 area^#2 Eita^#3 residents^#4 Aoi^#5
Post found in /news and /worldnews.
NOTICE: This thread is for discussing the submission topic. Please do not discuss the concept of the autotldr bot here.

The Five “A”s of Autism Ian Joseph Riñon 02 April 2023
This piece is the modern response to the essay “Don’t mourn for us” by Jim Sinclair on the occasion of its 30th anniversary in 2023. The identity-first language (“autistic person”) provided in this essay reflects not only the author’s personal preferences out of brevity, but also the language used in the original article.
A landmark article was written thirty years ago by an autistic individual named Jim Sinclair entitled “Don’t mourn for us”, which was originally addressed to parents of autistic children in 1993. While the date of its publishing is considered obsolete by academic standards, and while the author’s reputation as part of the organisation Autism Network International (ANI) was tarnished by an untoward incident in one of its last events in 2013, the article still reflects the call to fully understand autistic individuals and see autism from an autistic point-of-view.
Understanding autistic individuals has been a challenge when it comes to how they are treated by our rather neurotypical society, and sometimes, are being relegated as mere points of inspiration and example that autistics can live a full life despite their neurotype. Some label this kind of thinking as ableist, while others try to understand the concept while recognising that more needs to be done to avoid this kind of incomplete mindset.
To this end, diagnosed individuals (and those who support them) counter or complement the prevailing discussion and perspective regarding autism. Compared to other neurotypes, such as ADHD, OCD, BPD, etc., autism has been misunderstood as a diagnosis that should be controlled, if not cured. Autistics throughout the past few decades were told to fit into the neurotypical mold; and while some do, it is at a very high cost.
Individuals who have been forced to fit into a neurotypical society are susceptible to pretend they are neurotypical by hiding their diagnosis and behaviours as much as possible. This concept is known to many neurodivergents as “masking”. Out of all neurodivergents, autistics and ADHDers often mask their traits in order not to be branded or slurred for what they see as their natural behaviour. And when they realise that they are actually neurodivergent after years – or even decades – of masking, trying to understand who they are, and how they can fit into a neurotypical world, the ramifications of having to unlearn and relearn themselves would take the rest of their lives.
Since the rise of technology and social media, many autistics have found their voices and have told the world that what neurotypicals perceive about autism is not only wrong but also dangerous. While Sinclair’s 30-year-old article was ahead of its time, it is only now that the world can truly appreciate its message. However, because of the age of the piece and the circumstances that led to the downfall of ANI, autistics have to make a disclaimer regarding the author’s reputation if they cite “Don’t mourn for us”. (Additionally, people have to point out that this particular Jim Sinclair is neither the Canadian indigenous leader and political activist nor the American precious metals specialist.)
Therefore, it is in the best interest of the autistic community to tell our rather neurotypical society that the way people perceive autism and the way they behave while dealing with autistics need to be constantly improved.
It is imperative for neurotypicals to not only be content with reading Sinclair’s article about autism from the autistic perspective, but also to listen to the stories of autistic individuals and integrate them into the discussion because they deserve to be heard. This is perhaps the best way forward in further understanding autism to complement academic research and the stories of people surrounding autistic individuals.
Considering such an approach, those who would like to fully understand autism should go beyond awareness – the first of five “A”s of autism – as there are four others that can be considered as steps people have to do:
Awareness: This is the most basic level that people get involved with in any kind of cause. For autism, awareness is the first step towards understanding autistics, as well as autism and the diverse spectrum it encompasses. Early detection of autism in children is an advantage, but awareness can only get parents and those around them so far, so they need to level up their involvement through…
Acceptance: While second in order, acceptance is the most important step in understanding autism. The concept revolves around the notion that a person is autistic the moment he/she is born, and there is nothing that science can ethically do to reverse or alter it. To rephrase: “If a person is born autistic, he/she will die autistic.” This step also reflects the fact that not all autistic individuals are detected in their childhood. Some autistics get diagnosed in their adulthood – with most of the diagnoses being that of biological females – because their children or grandchildren were diagnosed as autistics first and they either resonated with their children/grandchildren or have masked their neurotype efficiently so far up until their “mask” started to fall off. This means that individuals can also be diagnosed with autism as late as their senior years (60 and above).
Appreciation: Some of the common struggles autistics face on a day-to-day basis include unequal productivity, alexithymia, hyperfocus, sensory overload, and executive dysfunction, the latter of which affects autistics profoundly, especially at work or in school. This is the reason why neurotypicals are called to appreciate the autistics around them and avoid the functioning labels that many of them use to identify the autistics they are conversing with (“high-functioning”) and those who struggle profoundly to do so (“low-functioning”). As an alternative, and to reflect the current support levels provided in the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM-5) regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is suggested that people can identify the masking levels of autistics they encounter, if they insist on doing so: ASD Level 1 (those who need minimal support) can be identified as “High Masking Autistics”; Level 2 (those needing additional support), “Moderately Masking Autistics”; Level 3 (those needing substantial support), “Low Masking Autistics”.
Accommodation: Given these masking levels, neurotypicals are further called to accommodate the needs of autistic individuals in order to properly function while being their authentic selves in the process. For example: by accommodating autistic students or employees with their needs, schools and employers can be assured that the work they would do would not only reflect their creativity in solving problems or identifying solutions, but also their authenticity in their studies and output.
Advocacy: As for the case of advocacy, the reason why this is last in order of the five “A”s is because many neurotypicals jump the gun in advocating for the autistic individuals in their lives without properly understanding how to accept, appreciate, and accommodate them first. For this reason, advocating for autistics is a twofold call. First, neurotypicals should advocate for the autistics in their lives without resorting to patronisation (i.e., “inspiration porn”) or infantilisation (baby-talking autistics because of the questionable notion that they have a mental age younger than their biological one), especially if the autistics involved are adults who were diagnosed later in life (18 and above). Secondly, and as a reflection to the previous point, neurotypicals should recognise that autistic individuals (at least those who are of legal age) can advocate for themselves, and most importantly, allow and support their self-advocacy instead of gatekeeping them. Having said that, however, advocacy is a two-edged sword. Late-diagnosed and suspected autistics (and by suspected, we mean self-diagnosed – especially in countries whose mental health systems are dysfunctional, to put it charitably) should not take this opportunity to self-advocate to lash out their frustrations on the systems that forced them to mask, lest they be relegated as a nuisance to the advancement of mental health discussions, which, in turn, discredits the autistic community as a whole.
In conclusion, understanding and embracing autism is a long, tedious, and never-ending process. Just like barristers and lawyers have their individual and diverse interpretations of their respective jurisprudences, so too are neurodivergents, such as autistics, different from each other. As the old adage said: “If you meet one autistic person, you meet one autistic person.” The challenge of being aware of autism while accepting, appreciating, accommodating, and advocating for autistics is something every individual in the world has to consider at least once in their lives. At the same time, it is important for those who seek to help autistics to consider that, aside from the different wiring in their brains, they are also human beings who deserve an equitable opportunity to become his or her own person free from any prejudice or pity while contributing to the common good as an integral member of society.
– IJR 02 April 2023 Palm Sunday World Autism Day
-------------------------------------
I have also read Jim Sinclair's article in my latest video. Do check it out. Thanks! (IJR)

Yesterday, I was diagnosed with PTSD after moving back to my home state where my friend lives. Me and my friend had a good relationship until a few years ago. We go way back, however she keeps associating with people who have caused me (now diagnosed) trauma and calls me immature when I tell her it hurts me. This has happened on numerous occasions and there are far too many details to include, but I can clarify if needed.
The gist of it is years ago I was SA’d and this has directly caused me to fall out with a close friend, and another friend group. The former was due to their insensitive comments (to be specific: they had made fun of the situation, had a mutual friend call me to convince us to reconnect afterwards and said “Who cares, I think it was funny you were r worded”). The latter stopped being friends with me as they felt uncomfortable around me due to my depression in result of finding out I had physical repercussions of the SA. My best friend is aware of these situations and was my shoulder to cry on during these times. However, she continues to be friends with them (even though I had originally introduced them) and even has admitted to talking bad about me with them. She even does this with men I had been previously romantically involved with. I found out she had messaged a man who I went one 1 date with asking if he thought she was pretty, and then on another occasion I walked in on her and the man I was seeing (in my bed). She has fallen out with so many friends in the past year or so due to similar reasons. She has also completely ghosted me multiple times when she feels like I don’t reply to her quick enough. All of these events have happened in the past few years, but now may be my breaking point.
About a month ago she asked if she could stay at my place so she could hang out with my former friend group (not to hang out with me, but them). I politely said no, explained that I was busy that day and told her to ask one of the people in said group. In response she ghosted me after several attempts to reach out to her. We have not talked in a month.
This continues to happen because I am not confrontational at all, and am scared to stand up for myself. Every time I do try to express my hurt she is always defensive and starts to blame me, saying that I am a bad friend because I do not respond to texts fast enough, or I allow other people to do XYZ (essentially walk all over me) so why is it a problem when she does it? This response is literally so detrimental to my mental health as I start to blame and question myself about everything including the SA, when in reality I know it is not my fault.
This situation has been going on for years is not allowing me to move forward with my healing and I want it to be over now. However, my family and boyfriend have advised me not to start drama by blocking her and to let it lie.
Sorry if this is incoherent, I would really just like advice on what I should do in this situation.

For those intimidated by walls of stats, feel free to scroll to the end.
​
1995 Mo Vaughn - 2/13 0 HR 3 RBI 0.154/0.267/0.231/0.497
1995 Barry Larkin - 7/12 1 HR 2 RBI 0.583/0.600/1.083/1.683
1996 Juan González - 4/10 1 HR 7 RBI 0.400/0.571/1.000/1.571
1996 Ken Caminiti - 5/13 1 HR 4 RBI 0.385/0.467/0.692/1.159
1997 Ken Griffey Jr. - 5/11 3 HR 4 RBI 0.455/0.538/1.364/1.902
1997 Larry Walker - 4/12 2 HR 4 RBI 0.333/0.385/0.917/1.301
1998 Juan González - 7/14 1 HR 6 RBI 0.500/0.500/0.857/1.357
1998 Sammy Sosa - 4/14 0 HR 3 RBI 0.286/0.333/0.357/0.690
1999 Iván Rodríguez - 4/13 0 HR 1 RBI 0.308/0.357/0.308/0.665
1999 Chipper Jones - 3/12 0 HR 0 RBI 0.25/0.308/0.25/0.558
2000 Jason Giambi - 3/10 2 HR 5 RBI 0.300/0.333/0.900/1.233
2000 Jeff Kent - 5/12 1 HR 5 RBI 0.417/0.385/1.000/1.385
2001 Ichiro Suzuki - 4/13 0 HR 0 RBI 0.308/0.357/0.308/0.665
2001 Barry Bonds - 3/11 1 HR 1 RBI 0.273/0.429/0.636/1.065
2002 Miguel Tejada - 4/12 0 HR 4 RBI 0.333/0.385/0.417/0.801
2002 Barry Bonds - 6/8 4 HR 9 RBI 0.750/0.833/2.375/3.208
2003 Alex Rodriguez - 3/14 2 HR 4 RBI 0.214/0.214/0.643/0.857
2003 Barry Bonds - 1/10 1 HR 3 RBI 0.100/0.308/0.400/0.708
2004 Vladimir Guerrero - 4/13 1 HR 5 RBI 0.308/0.400/0.692/1.092
2004 Barry Bonds - 4/9 1 HR 3 RBI 0.444/0.583/1.000/1.583
2005 Alex Rodriguez - 3/12 1 HR 2 RBI 0.250/0.357/0.500/0.857
2005 Albert Pujols - 3/13 0 HR 1 RBI 0.231/0.286/0.231/0.517
2006 Justin Morneau - 1/12 0 HR 1 RBI 0.083/0.083/0.083/0.167
2006 Ryan Howard - 3/11 1 HR 1 RBI 0.273/0.385/0.546/0.930
2007 Alex Rodriguez - 4/14 1 HR 3 RBI 0.286/0.333/0.643/0.976
2007 Jimmy Rollins - 4/11 1 HR 1 RBI 0.364/0.533/0.727/1.261
2008 Dustin Pedroia - 2/11 0 HR 0 RBI 0.182/0.250/0.273/0.523
2008 Albert Pujols - 5/10 0 HR 1 RBI 0.500/0.615/0.600/1.215
2009 Joe Mauer - DNP in first 3 games
2009 Albert Pujols - 6/10 1 HR 2 RBI 0.600/0.714/1.000/1.714
2010 Josh Hamilton - 0/8 0 HR 0 RBI 0.000/0.200/0.000/0.200
2010 Joey Votto - 5/12 1 HR 1 RBI 0.417/0.462/0.667/1.128
2011 Ryan Braun - 4/11 2 HR 2 RBI 0.364/0.462/0.909/1.371
2011 Justin Verlander - 1 GS 6.0 IP 8 K 3 H 4 BB 3 ER 4.50 ERA
2012 Miguel Cabrera - 5/11 3 HR 8 RBI 0.455/0.533/1.273/1.806
2012 Buster Posey - 4/12 1 HR 2 RBI 0.333/0.429/0.583/1.012
2013 Miguel Cabrera - 3/13 0 HR 4 RBI 0.231/0.286/0.231/0.517
2013 Andrew McCutchen - 3/10 0 HR 2 RBI 0.300/0.417/0.500/0.917
2014 Mike Trout - 4/10 1 HR 3 RBI 0.400/0.500/1.000/1.500
2014 Clayton Kershaw - 1 GS 6.2 IP 7 K 1 H 1 BB 1 ER 1.35 ERA 1/3 0 HR 0 RBI 0.333/0.333/0.333/0.667
2015 Josh Donaldson - 2/11 0 HR 0 RBI 0.182/0.250/0.182/0.432
2015 Bryce Harper - 4/11 1 HR 1 RBI 0.364/0.417/0.636/1.053
2016 Mike Trout - 2/12 0 HR 0 RBI 0.167/0.231/0.167/0.398
2016 Kris Bryant - 3/13 0 HR 1 RBI 0.231/0.333/0.308/0.641
2017 José Altuve - 2/13 0 HR 0 RBI 0.154/0.154/0.154/0.308
2017 Giancarlo Stanton - 3/13 0 HR 1 RBI 0.231/0.231/0.308/0.539
2018 Mookie Betts - 2/11 0 HR 0 RBI 0.182/0.308/0.273/0.580
2018 Christian Yelich - 7/14 0 HR 3 RBI 0.500/0.533/0.571/1.105
2019 Mike Trout - 4/10 0 HR 3 RBI 0.400/0.462/0.600/1.062
2019 Cody Bellinger - 7/15 3 HR 7 RBI 0.467/0.500/1.067/1.567
2021 Shohei Ohtani - 3/13 1 HR 2 RBI 0.231/0.231/0.615/0.846
2021 Bryce Harper - 3/10 0 HR 0 RBI 0.300/0.462/0.300/0.762
2022 Aaron Judge - 4/13 0 HR 0 RBI 0.308/0.357/0.385/0.742
2022 Paul Goldschmidt - 3/9 0 HR 0 RBI 0.333/0.571/0.333/0.905
Average - 3.8/11.1 0.8 HR 2.4 RBI 0.344/0.392/0.603/0.995
​
2002 Barry Bonds is by far the best, going 6 for 8 with 4 home runs, 3 walks (only 1 intentional), and 9 RBI in only 21 innings.
Not including 2009 Joe Mauer, who didn't play his first game until May 1st, the worst is 2010 Josh Hamilton, who went hitless in 10 PA.
Ohtani unfortunately didn't make his first 2021 start until the 4th game, where he 4.2 IP with 7 strikeouts and 1 earned run.
TL/DR - Ty France 2023 MVP

The Five “A”s of Autism Ian Joseph Riñon 02 April 2023
This piece is the modern response to the essay “Don’t mourn for us” by Jim Sinclair on the occasion of its 30th anniversary in 2023. The identity-first language (“autistic person”) provided in this essay reflects not only the author’s personal preferences out of brevity, but also the language used in the original article.
A landmark article was written thirty years ago by an autistic individual named Jim Sinclair entitled “Don’t mourn for us”, which was originally addressed to parents of autistic children in 1993. While the date of its publishing is considered obsolete by academic standards, and while the author’s reputation as part of the organisation Autism Network International (ANI) was tarnished by an untoward incident in one of its last events in 2013, the article still reflects the call to fully understand autistic individuals and see autism from an autistic point-of-view.
Understanding autistic individuals has been a challenge when it comes to how they are treated by our rather neurotypical society, and sometimes, are being relegated as mere points of inspiration and example that autistics can live a full life despite their neurotype. Some label this kind of thinking as ableist, while others try to understand the concept while recognising that more needs to be done to avoid this kind of incomplete mindset.
To this end, diagnosed individuals (and those who support them) counter or complement the prevailing discussion and perspective regarding autism. Compared to other neurotypes, such as ADHD, OCD, BPD, etc., autism has been misunderstood as a diagnosis that should be controlled, if not cured. Autistics throughout the past few decades were told to fit into the neurotypical mold; and while some do, it is at a very high cost.
Individuals who have been forced to fit into a neurotypical society are susceptible to pretend they are neurotypical by hiding their diagnosis and behaviours as much as possible. This concept is known to many neurodivergents as “masking”. Out of all neurodivergents, autistics and ADHDers often mask their traits in order not to be branded or slurred for what they see as their natural behaviour. And when they realise that they are actually neurodivergent after years – or even decades – of masking, trying to understand who they are, and how they can fit into a neurotypical world, the ramifications of having to unlearn and relearn themselves would take the rest of their lives.
Since the rise of technology and social media, many autistics have found their voices and have told the world that what neurotypicals perceive about autism is not only wrong but also dangerous. While Sinclair’s 30-year-old article was ahead of its time, it is only now that the world can truly appreciate its message. However, because of the age of the piece and the circumstances that led to the downfall of ANI, autistics have to make a disclaimer regarding the author’s reputation if they cite “Don’t mourn for us”. (Additionally, people have to point out that this particular Jim Sinclair is neither the Canadian indigenous leader and political activist nor the American precious metals specialist.)
Therefore, it is in the best interest of the autistic community to tell our rather neurotypical society that the way people perceive autism and the way they behave while dealing with autistics need to be constantly improved.
It is imperative for neurotypicals to not only be content with reading Sinclair’s article about autism from the autistic perspective, but also to listen to the stories of autistic individuals and integrate them into the discussion because they deserve to be heard. This is perhaps the best way forward in further understanding autism to complement academic research and the stories of people surrounding autistic individuals.
Considering such an approach, those who would like to fully understand autism should go beyond awareness – the first of five “A”s of autism – as there are four others that can be considered as steps people have to do:
Awareness: This is the most basic level that people get involved with in any kind of cause. For autism, awareness is the first step towards understanding autistics, as well as autism and the diverse spectrum it encompasses. Early detection of autism in children is an advantage, but awareness can only get parents and those around them so far, so they need to level up their involvement through…
Acceptance: While second in order, acceptance is the most important step in understanding autism. The concept revolves around the notion that a person is autistic the moment he/she is born, and there is nothing that science can ethically do to reverse or alter it. To rephrase: “If a person is born autistic, he/she will die autistic.” This step also reflects the fact that not all autistic individuals are detected in their childhood. Some autistics get diagnosed in their adulthood – with most of the diagnoses being that of biological females – because their children or grandchildren were diagnosed as autistics first and they either resonated with their children/grandchildren or have masked their neurotype efficiently so far up until their “mask” started to fall off. This means that individuals can also be diagnosed with autism as late as their senior years (60 and above).
Appreciation: Some of the common struggles autistics face on a day-to-day basis include unequal productivity, alexithymia, hyperfocus, sensory overload, and executive dysfunction, the latter of which affects autistics profoundly, especially at work or in school. This is the reason why neurotypicals are called to appreciate the autistics around them and avoid the functioning labels that many of them use to identify the autistics they are conversing with (“high-functioning”) and those who struggle profoundly to do so (“low-functioning”). As an alternative, and to reflect the current support levels provided in the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM-5) regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is suggested that people can identify the masking levels of autistics they encounter, if they insist on doing so: ASD Level 1 (those who need minimal support) can be identified as “High Masking Autistics”; Level 2 (those needing additional support), “Moderately Masking Autistics”; Level 3 (those needing substantial support), “Low Masking Autistics”.
Accommodation: Given these masking levels, neurotypicals are further called to accommodate the needs of autistic individuals in order to properly function while being their authentic selves in the process. For example: by accommodating autistic students or employees with their needs, schools and employers can be assured that the work they would do would not only reflect their creativity in solving problems or identifying solutions, but also their authenticity in their studies and output.
Advocacy: As for the case of advocacy, the reason why this is last in order of the five “A”s is because many neurotypicals jump the gun in advocating for the autistic individuals in their lives without properly understanding how to accept, appreciate, and accommodate them first. For this reason, advocating for autistics is a twofold call. First, neurotypicals should advocate for the autistics in their lives without resorting to patronisation (i.e., “inspiration porn”) or infantilisation (baby-talking autistics because of the questionable notion that they have a mental age younger than their biological one), especially if the autistics involved are adults who were diagnosed later in life (18 and above). Secondly, and as a reflection to the previous point, neurotypicals should recognise that autistic individuals (at least those who are of legal age) can advocate for themselves, and most importantly, allow and support their self-advocacy instead of gatekeeping them. Having said that, however, advocacy is a two-edged sword. Late-diagnosed and suspected autistics (and by suspected, we mean self-diagnosed – especially in countries whose mental health systems are dysfunctional, to put it charitably) should not take this opportunity to self-advocate to lash out their frustrations on the systems that forced them to mask, lest they be relegated as a nuisance to the advancement of mental health discussions, which, in turn, discredits the autistic community as a whole.
In conclusion, understanding and embracing autism is a long, tedious, and never-ending process. Just like barristers and lawyers have their individual and diverse interpretations of their respective jurisprudences, so too are neurodivergents, such as autistics, different from each other. As the old adage said: “If you meet one autistic person, you meet one autistic person.” The challenge of being aware of autism while accepting, appreciating, accommodating, and advocating for autistics is something every individual in the world has to consider at least once in their lives. At the same time, it is important for those who seek to help autistics to consider that, aside from the different wiring in their brains, they are also human beings who deserve an equitable opportunity to become his or her own person free from any prejudice or pity while contributing to the common good as an integral member of society.
– IJR 02 April 2023 Palm Sunday World Autism Day
-------------------------------------
I have also read Jim Sinclair's article in my latest video. Do check it out. Thanks! (IJR)

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 85%. (I'm a bot)

BENGALURU, India-For the second year in a row, India's government has ordered the nation's coal-fired power plants to run at full power.
Despite their proximity to the megacity of Kolkata, they lost power almost daily over part of last year's blistering summer.
India has hundreds of coal-fired plants and mines dotted around the country.
India "Has to ensure there is energy security as this is critical for the country's development and growth," said Alok Kumar, the most senior official in India's federal power ministry.
Others see national politics influencing the call to run the generating stations - including the oldest or dirtiest-burning - at full power for the duration of summer.
India currently meets about 10% of its power need with renewable energy.

Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: India^#1 power^#2 energy^#3 year^#4 storage^#5
Post found in /worldnews and /environment.
NOTICE: This thread is for discussing the submission topic. Please do not discuss the concept of the autotldr bot here.

●Night terrors ●Anxiety (Of course) ●Constant migranes. ●Panic Attacks. ●Stomach Cramps. ●Depression. ●Makes it easier to deal with selfish people ●To enhance my quality of life ●Manages stress levels
For as long as I can remember, (at least since I was 5, as far back as my 25 year old memory can recall) I've had a serious problem with night terrors. Sometimes it would be big scary monsters trying to eat me, but these Night Terrors would mostly consist of images of body horror. Images of vile and grotesque mutations straight out of John Carpenter's The Thing or the 1988 remake of The Blob, even though I didn't see those films until I was 18. I would remember waking up shivering and shaking uncontrollably (as if I woke up in fucking Antarctica,) profusely sweating, and loudly whimpering or sometimes crying depending on the Potency of the Night Terror; sometimes I would wake up my parents and my dad would barge in and tell me to shut the hell up, grow a pair, and go back to sleep. For whatever reason, 2 particular Night Terrors have stuck with me since I was 4 years old. I woke up at like 3 something in the morning, my eyes snapped open just like Squidward, I couldn't move, lift my arms, or even speak; the entire room spun violently a 360° rotation.
The second was maybe when I was 5. I had these visons of a woman in a dilapidated alleyway being terrorized by someone or something. I remember feeling horrified by what I was seeing. I felt even worse that I couldn't do anything about it. I couldn't move any muscles or really make any speach while I was having these visions. Then all I remember are images of possibly the same woman lying on the floor with her ribcage and internal organs exposed. Then I remember waking up, with the aforementioned reaction: shaking and whimpering. Afterwards, when I worked up the wherewithal to leave my room with my stuffed animal in my arms, I just intended to get something to drink and at least TRY to go back to bed. But then when I walked into the living room, my father was on the couch watching TV. It must have been either 6 or 7 in the morning, but my father was watching a show in which 2 contestants would bring their Homemade Remote Control Robots to fight one another in a duel. My father seemed happy to see me and asked if I wanted to watch the Robot Fights. I said yes, I told him I had a really bad dream and that I wanted to get my mind off of it, and that was all I remembered from that morning.
I had these visions when I was at least 5 even though I didn't even learn about human anatomy until I reached 1st grade. One day, me and my whole class were told by our teacher to follow her to a different classroom on the other side of the School. We followed in a single file line, talked 1st grade shit with one another, and arrived at the next classroom. The Teacher told us that we're at a science class to learn about the Human Body. Of course us being 1st Grade kids just nodded our heads and we went inside; almost instantly, one of the girls screamed while pointing at something on the bookshelf. A "tough boy" said, "I look like that?" It was a full colored plastic figure of the Human Body with no skin. The Muscular System, internal organs and all. Strangely I had very little reaction. I didn't know how I was supposed to react. So the teacher calmed us down, directed us to our seats, and I honestly can't remember anything else after that. I knew what skeletons were and what they looked like, but not the muscles and internal organs. Strange enough when I was either 4 or six. I had an Ancient Egypt Lego set with the Lego Skeleton minifigures, and I thought that they were both cute and badass. If that combination is even possible. (Definitely in anime)

OP NOTE: This was supposed to come out way sooner, but the ban lift on canon characters hasn't lifted yet and this got removed so I'm posting this here. Anyway, This is probably one of my longest EVER birthday stories I've made, but I decided to go all out for the pickle gremlin! :D
SCENE START
Monaca: Today is the day....finally, I get to go to the school dance!!! I can't wait!!! Monaca thought. She was getting herself tidied up and ready to go. She waited for this moment for so long. She was the happiest she could ever be in her life.
Monaca: Eeeeeek, I'm so excited!
Today couldn't be any better. Today was not only her 16th birthday, but it was also the day of the most popular Hope's Peak dance. She managed to score a date that could meet her at the dance area. His name was Nagisa Shingetsu, the smartest book nerd she knew. They ended up getting close enough to finally get his number! It couldn't get better!
She was mostly adjusted, with her sparkly blue dress on her and fingernails polished to match.
Monaca: Alright, it's 4 P.M! I gotta put on my shoes and tidy my hair!
Monaca moved quickly to her closet and pulled out a golden and pristine box of shoes. Opening it up, she saw the azure short heels that would perfectly fit her feet.
Monaca: Ooh, perfect! They're still clean!!!
Monaca slowly and carefully pulled the shoes out of the box and sat down. Slipping out her own shoes that she lounged in, she put on the beautifully blue heels.
???: Monaca! Come on, it's time to go! The dance is starting at 5, we gotta hit the streets!
Monaca knew that voice. It was her brother.
Monaca: Ah! Coming, Haiji!
Monaca made her way out of her room, clicking and clacking against the floor. She managed to dash past Haiji and asked him something.
Monaca: Hey, big bro! How do I look? Do you think I need some makeup?
Haiji:...Fine. Doing makeup will just feel like you're doing too much. Did you wash your face?
Monaca: Yes!
Haiji: Alright. And do you have everything?
Monaca: Yes, I do! I have my ticket in my pocket!
Haiji: Good. Let's go, we gotta hurry! You look good enough already, we can't waste any more time.
Monaca: Alrighty! Thank you so much, big bro!
With a happy smile, Monaca followed her brother outside so they both could head to the school. While Monaca was being driven, she tried to text him.
Hello, Nagisa! You there yet?
10 minutes
No answer. It was weird for a bit, but she tried to ignore it. He had to be already there.
30 minutes
Haiji was slowing the vehicle down...Monaca still didn't see any response from him.
35 minutes
Haiji: Alright, Monaca. We're here.
Monaca:........
Haiji: Hey, Monaca! Come on, can't have you sleeping on me!
Monaca: Oh! Sorry, Haiji!
Monaca exited the car and walked up to Haiji's window.
Haiji: Make sure to be safe, alright?
Monaca: A-Alright! I'll see you at 8!
Haiji: See ya!
Haiji seemed to be a bit cheered up as he left. Monaca hurried inside and tried to look for him....She passed people and constantly looked for his blue hair, and nothing.
Monaca: Why?! N-Nagisaaaaaaa?!!! Where are youuuuuu?!!!
She kept running quickly through. At least 40 minutes passed with no sight of him anywhere. He still wasn't answering his texts.
She tried her best to stay calm and happy, but she couldn't find him. Her heart was beating quickly with fear that she got abandoned, and she suddenly bumped into someone.
Monaca: A-Ah!
Tumble!
She nearly slipped on her own feet when the guy spoke up.
???: Sheeesh, no date? What, is he late?! Niiishsishishiiii!
Monaca: S-Shut up!
Monaca quickly turned and ran..She didn't care where, she just wanted to escape. Away from people....away from everything....Nagisa wasn't there. She felt betrayed. She felt hurt. She leaned against a wall in the girl's restroom and began to cry.
*10 minutes later*
*Creeeeeeak.....*
Monaca heard someone come in.
Monaca: *Sniff* W-Who's there???
A pink haired girl with the same matching eyes walked up to her.
???: H-Hello? Are you....okay???
Monaca just shriveled into her hold even tighter, sniffling.
???: H-Hey, I don't know what could have happened to you, but you seem very upset.
Monaca: H-He abandoned me....I-I thought he would be here....but he wasn't! N-Now I'm all alone, and I don't have anyone to dance with....I'm just going to be mocked forever....because I was s-stupid....
The teen walked up to her, slowly kneeling down.
???: I can....dance with you....if you'd like.
Monaca: *Sniff* W-Wah???
Monaca looked up. The girl slolwy smiled as she tried to make out another response.
???: If it helps you feel better, I can dance with you! I'll make sure you have a fun time, I promise! Here, I can help you up!
The next thing the girl did made Monaca's tears slowly stop. She took a bit of paper towel in one hand and held out her other one, requesting to help her off of the ground.
Kotoko: My name is Kotoko Utsugi. What's yours?
Monaca: M-M-My name......is Monaca T-Towa. You're really....going to help me?
Kotoko: Of course. I can't just let you cry in here all alone. I hate seeing people so upset when I can help them, ya know?
Monaca: I-I don't know what to say....
Monaca lifted her hand and accepted Kotoko's, thanking her with a light smile as she was pulled to her feet.
Monaca: T-Thank you, Kotoko. Thank you so much...
Kotoko: No problem, Monaca! It sucks that your person didn't get here....hopefully I can cheer you up while they eventually, and hopefully DO show up.
Monaca: Y-Yeah....you're right...
Kotoko: Well! Dry those tears up and get whatever you have to do out of the way. I'll be outside, right outside the door.
Monaca: O-Okay.
Kotoko waved before stepping outside, letting Monaca's mood improve. Kotoko was there for her like no other, and she knew not to waste this chance.
SCENE END

Hey everyone,
Have these books I will be rehoming for good prices. Please stay respectful to each other, and have fun!
Requesting photos in the comments works- Then I will send you an imgur album with a 360 shot of the books and more
Please leave a thread comment first. Paypal goods and services for this sale
Shipping is separate, and your offers welcome.
Have fun, I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day/night!
Timestamp:https://imgur.com/a/0kZqGKH
Lady Snowblood 1-2 $80 G4
Pet Shop Of Horrors 1-10, Tokyo 1-8 $400 G3\\G4
Utena boxset G4\\G5 $140
Ace Attorney complete $425
Ikigami 1-10 G5 a couple are sealed $275
Delicious Dungeon 1-10 G4\\G5 $120
Drrrr 19 volumes G4\\G5 $150
Maximum ride 1-9 + witch $70 G4
Devil is a Part timer 1-18 G5 $140
Light novel 1-11 G5 $70
High school 1-5 G4 $120
All Devil Part timer $300
Puella Magica 37 volume lot G4\\G5 $700
Yugioh 1-38 G4 $400 #15-17 has bumped lower corner G3
Made in Abyss 1-8 minus 6 $180
Pokemon 67 volume lot G4 a couple G3 corner wear $280
Shugo chara 1-12, chan 1-4 G4\\G5 $165
Reiko zombie shop 1-3 G4 $30
Parasyte 1-8, Neo G4 $70
Tenchi 1-10, Sasami G4 $100
Ring 0-2 G4 $43
Juion G4 $32
Re:Monster 1-5 G5 $40
Machimaho 1-2 G5 $15
Lucky star 1-3 G3\\G4 $70
Sorcerer Hunters 1-3 G4 $30
Utena 1-4 G4 $40
Hack 9 volume lot G4 $100
Mushoku Tensai 1-9+ Roxy 1-2 G4 $180
Persona 3-4 21 volume lot G4\\G5 $300
Ubel blatt 1 G4 $15
Alice hearts 1-3 G4 $45
Magical girl raising project 1-2 G5 $20
First love monster 1-2 G5 $20
Big Order 1 G4 $12
Junji ito cat $12
Magical Girl Apocalypse 1-13, site 1 G4 $170
Cardcaptor sakura 1-5 G5 $45
Cardcaptor Omnibus 1-4 G4\\G5 $150
Tomodachi monster 1 $15
Those who hunt elves 1-2 G4 $20
Wolfsmund 1-8 G5 $135
Tokyo Babylon 1-6 G4 $125
Sailor Moon 1-7, V1 G5 $65
Sherlock Bones 1-7 G4 $55
Deathnote 1-13, novel G3 $75
My pathetic vampire life 1-2 G5 $12
Hellsing 8, 9 $45
Ouran HS 1-18 G4 $120
Promised Neverland 1-20 G4-G5 $110
Danganronpa 13 volume lot G4-G5 $99
Megaman 7 volume lot G4-G5 $160
Cells at work box set G5 $50
The story of Saiunkoko 1-9 G4\\G5 $185
Absolute boyfriend 1-4 $25
Devil survivor 1-8 G4 $100
Zelda 15 volume G4 $80
Fuishigi 1-3 G4 $42
Neon Genesis 1-5, Shinji 1-5 omnibus G4\\G5 $225
Afterschool charisma 1-12 G4 $75
Hetalia 1-6 G4 $75
Battle Angel Alita 1-9, Last order 1-15 G4\\G5 $480
Magic Rayearth omnibus 1 G5 $30
Crimson spell 2-5 G4 $30
Pichi Pichi Pitch 1 G4 $28
Sakuran G3\\G4 1 crease on cover $50
My solo\\lesbian G5 $19
Dragon half 1-3 G5 $50
Anima 1-10 G4 $120
Loveless 1-13 G4 $80
Lone wolf and cub half set $200 G3-G4
Color Of Rage sealed $40
Arm Of Kannon 1 Sealed $60
Eden 2 sealed $30 plastic peeled open at corner
New lone wolf 1-4 G4 $80
One Piece -1-100 G4 Omnibus + Singles $525
One Piece 24-100 G4/ mostly G5 $400
Spare 46-70 G5 $110
Triage x 1-3, 6, 8 $45
Emma 1-2 G3 $30 ex lib
Tokyo 1-2 G4 $25
Btoom 25 Sealed $10
One piece omnibus 1-45 with gaps (9 vols) $70 G3/G4 one has writing on bottom side
Inuyasha 1-4, 15, 17-23, 37, 46, 48, 49 G3-G4 A Couple Ex Lib $90
Alice in Murderland 1-3 G5 $80
Dr stone 1-7 G4 $30
Land of the Lustrous 1-3 G4/G5 $25
20th century boys 1 G4 $20
Arm Of Kannon 1-3, 5 G3/G4 $40
Arm of Kannon sealed volume 1 $50
Jyu oh sei 3 G4 $5
Arppegio 4 G4 $20
Clover omnibus G3 $6
Terraformers 1, 3 G4 $15
Mobile Suit thunderbolt 1-2 G4 $15
Blade immortal spares (7) spine fade G3/G4 $33
Oishibo 1 G4 $5
Lone wolf 1988 tpb $18
Wounded man 4 G4 $14
Get backers 12 vols including G4 #25 $100
Get backers 25, Infinity 1-2 $85 G5
Samurai kyo 12 vols $65
Jojos manga (9) G5 $75
Gunslinger girl 1-3 G2 $8
Fullmetal alchemist HC 1-4 G4 $45
Flowers bees 2-3 G4 $35
Monster hunter orage 1-3 G3/G4 $40
Emanon 1-3 G4 $40
Appleseed spares (3) G2-G5 $50
Code geass sazuka 1-2, queen 1 G2/G3 $20
Eurekai Seven (5 vols) $40 #G3/G4
Doubt 1-2 G4 $21
Tokyo Tribes 1-5, no #3 G4 $50
Cutie honey G4 $15
Crying freeman journey $8
Tenchi- $3
Fire Punch 1 $7
Exaxxion 1 $5
Sacred blacksmith4 G4 $4
Karneval 1 G4 $11
Akira singles (11) $100 6.0-8.5
First master 2 G4 $30
Blade of the Immortal Deluxe 1-3 G5 $60
Alita 1-9, last order 1-8 G3/G4 $165
Me and the devil blues 1-2 G4 $170
Banana fish 1-5, 9-12 G4 half have yellowing $80
Black Jack 1-5, 13 G4 $90 (vol 2 is G2)
Ultraman 1-16 G4 G5 $125
Wotakoi 1 G5 $8
JJk 0-3 $23
Psycho Pass 1-4 G4 $50 1st print
Spare volume 3 $15 1st print
Phoenix 3 G4 $55
Initial D 1-33 $1000 All but one limited edition cards enclosed
Golgo 1-10 Missing #2 G4-G5 $140
Golden Kamuy 1-19 G4 $150
Bleach 1-27, 32 $100
All other spares Bleach G3-G4 $2.50-3.50 each based on condition
Skullman 2-7 G4 $120
Raqiya 1-2 G4 $70
Monster 1st 1 G4 Single $12
High School DXD 3, 6, 10 G5 6, 10 Sealed $50
GON 6 volumes G4 $90 missing a couple from full run
Fist Of The North Start Viz Graphic 1-4, Blue Sky 1-4 G4 $200
fist spare graphic novel edt 3-4 $50 G4
Apocalypse Meow 1st 1-3 G4 $80
Dance In The Vampire Bund 1-3, 7-9, 18-21 G4 $50
Outlanders 1988 1-8 G4 $175 #5 is G3
Attack On Titan 1-34, 4 extra volume 34 editions BAM, Kinokuniya, B&N, Spare Kunikinya sealed G5 38 volumes $300
Attack On Titan 1-34 G4, Kinokuniya w/o card G5 $250
The king of fighters 1-6 G5 $50
Lone Wolf & Cub Omnibus Complete G4/G5 unread 1st print $500
Berserk 17 volumes $150 DMP G4, 161-18 G3
Blade Of The Immoral DH 1-31 + novel G3-G4 Some Ex Lib $200
Blood Blockade Battlefront 3, 10 G4 $80
Bride Of The Water God 1-6, 8-13 G4 $100
Bt'x 13 G4 $20
Captain Ken 1, G4 $10
Chainmail Novel LN 1 G4 $10
Cyborg 009 1, 2, 4 G4 $35
Dororo 1 G4 $10
Fire Punch 1-2 G4 $20
Gantz 1-2, 11-13, 15, 34 G4 $100
Gundam Lot G4 $140 Spares Available
Gyo 1 G4 $30
Ichiroh 5, G4 $9
Infini T Force 1-4 G5 $21
Judge 1 G4 $7
Junji Ito Lot Remina, Sensor, Uzamaki HC G4 $45
Kagerou Daze 1-7 $180
Kurohime 8 volumes G4 $40
Knights Zodiac 2, 4, 11 G4 $44
Shugo chara 2-6 G3/G4 $20
Drifting classroom 1-3 G4 $30
Lum Viz 1st Print 1-2 G4, Unread $20
Magic Knight Rayearth 1st 3 G3 $3
Mai The Psychic Girl 3, 4 G4 $50
Jojos pt 3 tpb 6, 8, 12 G5 $90
Mermaid Saga 1-4 G4 $50
Midori Days 8 G4 $20
Ode To Kirihito 2 G4 $10 Spare Available
Oh My Goddess Omnibus 1-3 G4 $60
Pandora's Heart 1, 2, 10, 14, 18 G4 $50\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\* Spare 18 G4 $10
Peepe Choo 1 G4 $15
Reborn 1, 3 G4 $35
Resident Evil Marhawa 2 G4 $18
Saint tail 1-7 $150 G4
Shaman Warrior 2, 7 G4 $25
Strawberry 100% 1-3 $35
Street Fighter 8 Volumes $100
Spare Ryu Final 3 G4 $18, Alpha 2 $30
Ultimate Muscle 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 18, 23 G4 some remainder marks #23 G3 Ex Lib $125
Uzumaki HC G4 $20
Zombie Powder 3-4 G4 $30

(Sorry it took awhile for me to post this to Reddit. Power was knocked out and I had to wait until it came back on to post it here.)
(As here usual, you can find this story and the pervious parts here.)
​
The New Year rang in as Irving and Enterprise counted the days until their wedding in February.
Irving looked at the calendar and chuckled.
“Huh. It looks like our honeymoon will be on Valentine’s day.”
Enterprise blushed. She never realized the coincidence.
They knew that the wedding was going to be on February 10th.
In January, Oklahoma had her baby shower. Before the baby shower, Oklahoma told the rest of the shipgirls that she was having a boy.
The shipgirls gave her things such as clothes for the baby. Akagi gave her a crib.
After a while, Oklahoma was tired of all the shipgirls trying to feel her belly. Her baby tried to kick as if to tell them to stop, but this only encouraged them to do it more.
Malcolm could sense his wife’s frustration. He leaned in and whispered into her ear.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”
After that, every time a person would try to feel Oklahoma’s belly, Malcolm would give them a death glare that would put the kibosh on that idea.
After the baby shower was over, Oklahoma embraced her husband.
“Thanks, honey.”
She knew she could count on him to protect her and their unborn son.
Soon, February dawned. Irving knew that his and Enterprise’s wedding was right around the corner. He decided on the plan for his bachelor party.
Malcolm couldn’t go, as even though he was his best man, he was busy helping Oklahoma in the late stages of her pregnancy. Denis could go, as he was not that busy. Fritz would go, as he had nothing better to do. Samuel and Warren could go as well.
Irving smiled as he thought about how wild his party could get.
Meanwhile, Enterprise was planning her bachelorette party. She knew Oklahoma couldn’t go for the obvious reason of being eight months pregnant.
She invited New Jersey, Bismarck, Arizona, and Kronshtadt. She knew that the Northern Parliament had a bar that served the best drinks on the base.
Soon, the soon-to-be weds were at their respective parties.
Irving and his group were at the same bar where they had Malcolm’s bachelor party.
“A shame Malcolm couldn’t go.”
Samuel turned to face Irving.
“Eh, He’s gonna be a father soon. What did you expect?”
Irving noted Denis did not drink that much. He was in no state to drive, but he only had a few shots of vodka.
“I cannot process alcohol well”
Irving laughed and nodded. The rest of the group was equally drunk. Samuel was trying to play pool, but he could barely keep his shot straight.
Fritz was dancing on a table, his arms flailing around like a scarecrow in a wind tunnel.
Warren was already vomiting into a toilet in the restroom.
Irving noticed the bartender was looking at him with an angry look. He knew unless he did something; they were going to get kicked out.
Irving grabbed his phone and picked a random contact.
It turned out that the random contact was Heinz.
Heinz picked up the phone. He was in his black boxers. Bismarck had already left to join Enterprise for her bachelorette party.
“Hello?”
“Ah, Heinz, my man. Listen, I need a ride back home. Do me a solid and pick me up, m’kay?”
Heinz’s face went blank. It surprised him Irving had his number. It was likely that either Fritz or Bismarck gave it to him at some point.
Heinz hung up his phone. He knew that Irving and his group were most likely at the bar at the Eagle Union part of the base.
Meanwhile, in the Northern Parliament part of the base. Enterprise and her group were busy getting drunk and partying something fierce.
Kronshtadt and Bismarck were busy tearing it up the karaoke machine. Apparently “Bismarck” by Sabaton was on it, and Bismarck did not want to waste an opportunity like that.
New Jersey was already asleep. Arizona was on her phone.
Enterprise tugged on Arizona’s sleeve. She was drunk and could barely speak a few words without slurring them.
“Hey, can you call Oklahoma to pick us up?”
Arizona sighed and texted Oklahoma.
Oklahoma awoke to a phone vibrating. She unlocked it and saw it was a text from Arizona.
“Hey, can you pick us up? We are at the bar in the Northern Parliament part of the base.”
Oklahoma sat up and sighed, which alerted her husband.
Malcolm sat behind her and placed his arms around her belly.
She turned her head and kissed her husband.
“What’s wrong?”
Oklahoma chuckled and felt Malcolm’s hands around her large middle.
“Oh, other than having to pee almost every fifteen minutes, my boobs leaking more than a broken pipe. Louis treating my insides like a soccer ball, my back aching like a geriatric, and now I got to be the drunk wrangler, I’m doing just fine.”
Malcolm froze and raised his eyebrows.
"What if you go into labor while you are driving? What if something happens and you crash?
Oklahoma kissed her husband again as she felt Louis kick inside of her.
“Mal, relax. I’m going to be okay. You treat me like I’m a dainty daylily. Like my water will break as if I so much as sneeze too hard.”
Malcolm calmed down. Ever since Oklahoma had entered the last trimester of her pregnancy, he had been more protective of her.
Oklahoma got up to put on a purple t-shirt with a white unicorn on it and some black leggings. Malcolm followed behind her.
Oklahoma turned around to face her concerned husband.
“Relax, if something happens I’ll call you or the Commander.”
Malcolm and Oklahoma embraced and kissed. Oklahoma made a slight moan. She placed a hand on her belly.
“Relax, it’s just him kicking me a bit too hard. Vestal, Bismarck, and Tirpitz told me I would feel it around this stage.”
Oklahoma grabbed her phone and got into her car. She drove to the Northern Parliament side of the base.
Heinz’s car stopped right in front of the bar in the Eagle Union part of the base. He saw Irving and the others make their way to his car.
Once they arrived, they noticed a very pressing issue.
There were not enough seats for all of them.
Warren piped up.
“I’m going in the trunk.”
Before Heinz could protest, Warren had already placed himself in the trunk and closed the door.
With Warren in the trunk, that left enough seats for the men.
Irving got into the back of the car with Samuel and Fritz. Denis got into the front with Heinz.
They drove to the Ironblood part of the base. They could get Irving’s clothes for the wedding tomorrow.
What mattered now was getting the men to a safe spot to sober up.
And Heinz knew just the place.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma was driving to the bar in the Northern Parliament part of the base. She had to stop to pee at least two times while she was driving.
Oklahoma put one hand on her belly and rubbed it. She knew she had woken up Louis, as he was kicking in anger.
Oklahoma made her way to the bar. She parked the car and waddled to the entrance.
She had to go to the restroom first. Once she finished, she walked to the group.
“I’m here to be the drunk wrangler.”
It surprised the group that it was Oklahoma who picked them up. Arizona stared at her with concern.
“Oklahoma, why are you here? You-”
Oklahoma cut her off. She stared Arizona in the eye, her eyebrows down.
“I don’t want to hear it. Malcolm already gave me the same spiel before I left.”
Soon, the group was inside Oklahoma’s car. Oklahoma decided she would drop off Kronsthadt first, as she was the closest.
Oklahoma parked the car next to the dorm. Yaroslav and Nikolay were ready, and they picked up Kronshtadt.
“Thanks for the lift, Okie.”
Nikolay and Yaroslav carried her to her dorm.
Next up was Bismarck. Prinz Eugen was at the door of the dorms and helped her into the building.
Prinz Eugen nodded at Oklahoma, and soon she drove to the Eagle Union part of the base to drop off New Jersey, Arizona, and Enterprise.
Oklahoma decided she would let New Jersey, Arizona, and Enterprise crash at her place, as she did not want them to be alone.
Enterprise woke up.
“I’m sorry you had to pick us up, Okie. I didn’t want you to be the drunk wrangler as you have so much going on in your life.”
Oklahoma shook her head.
“Enterprise, it’s okay. I already told Malcolm this. It’s not like my water will break if I sneeze too hard. I’m more durable than you think.”
Enterprise calmed down. She knew Oklahoma was a tough cookie.
Heinz pulled up to the parking lot of the Ironblood dorms. He grabbed the group of men and unlocked his trunk to let Warren out.
Warren came out of the trunk and joined the group. They all walked to the elevator and took it to Heinz and Bismarck’s room.
When Heinz opened the door, he saw Bismarck on the couch with a bucket near her. Helga and Joachim were looking at their mother, curious about what was wrong with her.
“What's wrong with Mutti, Vadi?”
Heinz knew he could not explain a hangover to a young girl that well, so he tried to explain it in terms she could understand.
“Mutti is sick, but don’t worry, you won't get sick as well.”
Irving and the other men quickly made it to Heinz’s kitchen. They grabbed any large bowls they could.
Soon, they all vomited. Heinz, Helga, and Joachim all watched this horrible event unfold.
Heinz expected Helga and Joachim to cover their eyes. Instead, they watched as if it was a magnificent spectacle. Joachim looked at his father.
“Did they have some of Mama’s horrible casserole?”
Heinz laughed and shook his head. He knew Joachim was referring to the night when Bismarck made a casserole. It was bad. Everyone was throwing up in the morning, including Fritz and his family, who came for dinner that night.
“No, this isn’t from a casserole.”
Joachim nodded. The casserole was a good thing in his opinion. He got a day off from school for it.
Meanwhile, on the Eagle Union side of the base, Malcolm was holding up a hungover Enterprise. Arizona was carrying a passed-out New Jersey to Oklahoma and Malcolm’s room. Oklahoma was in the front, waddling her way to the room.
Once they reached the door, Oklahoma opened it. Arizona laid New Jersey on the bed in the guest bedroom. Arizona decided that the living room floor was a great place to lie down and sleep.
Oklahoma sat down on the couch. She was exhausted.
Enterprise laid down on the couch and asked a somewhat odd question.
“Can I put my head on your belly?”
Oklahoma nodded and pulled her shirt up to expose her belly. Her navel had popped out, becoming sensitive to the touch.
Enterprise put her head on Oklahoma’s belly like a pillow. She smiled.
“I can hear Lou’s heartbeat. I can even feel him move.”
Oklahoma blushed.
Enterprise asked another odd question.
“Hey, Okie, what’s it like being pregnant? Is it like being hungover?”
Oklahoma raised her eyebrows. She didn’t think about it.
“At first, yeah, it was like being hungover. Then Lou began growing, and I felt him kick. It was cute at first, but then it hurt as he got bigger.”
Oklahoma could see Louis’s kicks from the outside of her belly. She knew Louis would cry his way into the world soon.
Oklahoma placed a finger on her belly to play with Louis. She moved her finger to see if Louis would kick where the finger was. He would do so, making her giggle.
“The worst part is the feeling of having to pee every fifteen minutes, and the backaches.”
Oklahoma turned to face her husband and blushed. He blushed back.
“The odd part is feeling horny. Malcolm had to learn that the hard way.”
She continued to blush. She knew she was sharing the not so fun parts about being pregnant.
“Well, that and the leaking boobs. I swear they have a mind of their own.”
Enterprise blushed as Oklahoma was oddly open about the more suggestive parts of being pregnant.
Enterprise yawned and asked the ultimate question.
“Do you think I’ll make an amazing mother?”
Oklahoma and Malcolm looked at each other with cheerful looks on their faces. Oklahoma stroked Enterprise’s hair.
“I think you would make an amazing mother, Enty. And I also think Irving would make an amazing father.”
Enterprise yawned and nodded her head. She fell asleep.
Oklahoma pulled a blanket on Enterprise. She left her head exposed. Malcolm wrapped a blanket around Oklahoma.
“ Are you coming to bed with me?”
Oklahoma shook her head.
“I think Enterprise needs me out here. She’s gonna need all the help she’s gonna get tomorrow.”
Oklahoma felt Louis’s kicking stop. She knew he had finally fallen asleep. She turned her head to look at Enterprise, who was fast asleep with her head on her belly.
Oklahoma sighed.
She could oddly get used to this.

Hello everyone I am sharing my story all the way from the United States, California to be exact. This is my first time ever posting anything on Reddit or about my long distance relationship ever so bare with me.
First off, I am making this post because I would love to hear some opinions or ideas or suggestions because currently I am a little lost with the path life has taken me this past year. I met this amazing human being (my girlfriend) a little less than 6 years ago we had became friends over instagram and FaceTime calling. Many many years of hours long phone calls and getting to know one another day by day week by week year by year practically grew up together ( we are both in our early 20’s) as time went on as we grew older we practically went different paths. She is what we call Dutch to the bone haha she is free spirited, very stubborn, very opinionated, a big time party girl, and if a matters very very attractive young lady. I on the other hand am a very chill, boring, very disciplined and hardworking ( she will say I have an ants mentality) which is true. Anyways as we got older these things really separated us and almost became a reason we weren’t friends anymore. To give context I work and save money spend time with my family and drink with my family. I do not see the fun in using drug getting fucked up and wasting literally any money given to me. So me being me I would always criticize her actions at her worst (she would be calling me crying with horrible stories due to her drug use and drinking nights) lots of manipulation and scary moments for her. and all this time I could only suggest her to do better and care more for her future but as anyone’s knows we say you can lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink. Basically at some point my frustration and feeling sorry for her turned into disgust. We both basically stopped contacting because our conversations went from the best feeling ever to arguing always.
Then last year maybe 6 months after coming out of my previous relationship she reached out and told me she wanted to come visit America. I was totally torn on what to say or do mainly because we had always dreamt of this idea but this time we were older and both had the finances to do so. Obviously being someone who has never left my country or taken any major chances I couldn’t really believe someone else would do that especially not for me. After lots of thinking I agreed to let her come visit keep in mind we had never even met, I live on my own so if it didn’t go well the first time meeting she still had to stay with me because she couldn’t afford a hotel for 2 weeks. Anyways I have more to say but can’t write it all in one post. So she made the big move and actually came to see me. It goes well actually extremely well we hit it off and she was star struck she was in disbelief to feel my skin smell me touch my hair hear my voice as was I. This first trip I wanted to make it worthwhile so we did a vacation like no other. I took her to Hollywood, San Francisco, Fort Bragg, Sacramento, and a couple day trip places like rivers and hiking spots local to me. We spent over 50 hrs driving and maybe 2 hrs of those listening to music the rest was those amazing conversations we used to have. As you could imagine we had many topics, discussions, disagreements, and fantasies to talk about (I’d say we are both mind explorers). With that being said on the day of our San Francisco I built the courage to tell her I felt more than attractive or lust for her. “ this is going to be very off topic you don’t need to feel the same or agree I just want to get it off my chest but let me explain myself first please don’t interrupt me” is how I started off my conversation/confession. After maybe 25 minutes of explaining all that I feel about her our journey together life as a whole she just say there really appreciating what I had to say about her. She honestly didn’t say much but for some reason it did really bother me not to be cocky but I could tell she felt the same way just more challenging for her to accept and act on what I said to her. We went on with our day and spent hours all over the city. When the sunset I took her to this famous spot only California locals know. This is the big moment she began crying in my arms at first I had no idea why I was asking “ are you okay ? Did I do something wrong? Do you miss home? I told her you won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t feel the same we are adults and choose our own paths” she simply replied this is the moment I leave the old me behind I want to be the best partner for you and for us. I think the tears were her way of letting go of the pain and guilt I had tried to save her from for all our years knowing eachother. I was in denial the first hour. The hours after that were spent driving back home talking about how to make this whole situation work together and explaining our boundaries and needs as partners. To speed things up she has an amazing rest of her vacation we have the saddest day before her going home, yet still promises me to keep all her promises even from 5,000 miles away. In that moment it’s the only time in my life I truly believed in another persons promise.
She goes back home and did in fact stopped parting, clubbing, using drugs, smoking cigarettes, staying at guys houses, even deleted most people from her social media to eliminate any temptations. And keeps me updated when she does go out for dinner and drinks such as when she left home and when she is on her way back home. And what I’m happiest about is she started saving her money. But definitely most proud of her showing her commitment to us as a couple as best friends as partners. 6 months go by and she comes back this time meets my entire family, friends, comes to my workplace, basically our goal was to see what my life is actually like not the fairytale version she experienced the first time around. Everything again went extremely well better than I could’ve asked. My family loves her as much as I do we joke maybe even more than I do at times.
So with all this background information (If curious about anything else be my guest and ask) the whole reason I am posting this is because lately I think the long distance with the amount of love we have built up for eachother is starting to be frustrating for both of us. She is supposed to finish her schooling in 5 months and attempt to continue nursing school by early next year if everything goes smooth with her applications (of all types) i on the other hand have the money and support to move with her basically at any time after my applications are approved. We both are kind of in this sad hole being apart from eachother. We are constantly looking at the positives and negatives of either choice but both being in our 20s we don’t honestly know what would be best for our future. We agree I have much more stability here in America because I have own place , a good job, my own car, a big supportive family, and my weekly routine is a lot more structured. There is a part of me though that is attracted to the stories she tells of the Dutch being care free, people who slow down and enjoy there days, healthy for most part, and don’t revolve life around work.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and can’t wait to see what you all think. From one dream chaser to the next have an amazing day and don’t forget how big the world really is and it’s all yours.

Ahh, dear reader, hello there! So lovely to see you once more... well figuratively speaking that is… or is it?
After all, I am exceedingly well versed in The Arts. Maybe I am watching you at this very moment, with Clairvoyance or perhaps a Scrying Spell or maybe an enchanted object like the good old fashioned Crystal Ball? The Magus has one you know…
Just teasing… or am I? …teeheehee…
Anyway, this latest instalment comes to you courtesy via a Voice to Text application my Magus recently acquired for me, as he said listening to me speak aloud while typing is too distracting for him. I find that interesting considering his immense mental discipline yet understandable at the same time. After all, extoling ones inner monolog to an uncaring audience would be tedious to experience. Hmm… I’ve just thought of a new torture for the souls of the dammed, specifically for writers who think they are better than everyone around them. How ingenious of me!
In any case, I would prefer to distract him in other ways, mark you.
I also must say what wonderfully inventive creatures you humans are! An application of mathematical code, the base language of reality. It is very much like a spell in its function and nature I would say, that it allows my phone, yes the Magus got me one, to record all I say and transcribes it into neatly typed words on its electronic pages. It’s like having a monk-scribe in your pocket! Unquestionably wonderful!
So as I relax in my fabulously hot, luxurious scented, oiled bubble bath, I can easily regale you with further tales of the adventures I have had thus far on this wonderous blue and brown spherical rock that is third in line from our star. And I do not have to type with two fingers either, which is a massive bonus let me tell you!
If memory serves… ahh yes, we had just returned to the car where I saw a sign of my Magus’s humour on display in the form of his licence plate.
I do have to admit dear reader, I was indeed highly amused. He knows he’s going to hell, he just insists that it be on his terms! I love it! Such confidence, such audacious willpower.
That is exceedingly… stimulating for Succubi.
Ok dammit, it makes me tremendously horny, and I’m not talking about the ones on my head either you know! We are incredibly lusty beings, us Succubi, after all.
I was already in a highly ‘excited’ state when we got to the car, so much so that I had to use my Cell Adjustment Psionic discipline to tremendously dull down my inflamed senses as I did not wish to leave the tell-tale mark of my inflamed passion on the lower back portion of my new dress and also not on the car-seat when I sat back down in the vehicle.
Ahem…
After a few moments, which caused the Magus to glance up at me with a slightly puzzled expression, of standing outside the car (he had no idea nor cared… hmmph!) I opened the door and folded myself back inside the vehicle and resumed my seat. I later learned that I could have mostly avoided this… embarrassment… by actually wearing what you call absorbent lined underwear! I wasn’t wearing panties at the time as I was totally unaware of their existence. I do so now as its much more comfortable in lots of ways and in addition, stops the shiver when an errant chill wind blows unexpectedly up your gusset!
Moving on…
Getting into the car, the Magus paused until I had done up my seatbelt before starting the engine, waiting for another car to pass us by before safely pulling out and sedately driving off. I later learned that we could have gone screaming down the road in a cloud of burning rubber if the Magus was of a mind to. I would have if given the opportunity! Something to look forward to dear reader.
Instead, we drifted slowly through the placidly moving traffic as I watched the sun descend below the horizon of the ocean. I had only been back here on Earth for a few hours but every second was total bliss. I do not think that most of you humans realize how good you have it here. Even those who do not reside in the more developed and advanced nations, being on Earth is special.
There are infinity more worse places you can be, let me assure you of that.
We drove back mostly the way had travelled to this particular beach. This time though it was much later in the day, heading in the opposite direction, I became aware of many more things that had escaped my attention earlier on.
We passed by denser zones and clusters of buildings where I could see various shops, food outlets, restaurants and varying vendors, all brightly lit up now as the daylight was fading. I saw incredibly tall metal poles with blazing, glowing lights illuminating the surrounds with a warm yellowy orange glow making it still easy to see. Electric lighting will never cease to amaze me. Yes dear reader, I can experience a sense of wonder and joy at simple things, even beyond the act of slaughter and soul draining. Would it astonish you that I like flowers? Such strange lifeforms that had developed aromas they use as a method of propagation. Delightful.
Anyway… we shortly crested the hill that we had previous ascended westwards earlier on the way to the beach and I then saw it!
I was awestruck once again.
Towering edifices, glittering, shining buildings monstrously higher than Hagia Sophia was, the most immense human made structure in the world when I was last in it. These glistening towers of glass, metal and stone made that church look like a feeble children’s toy. I could see over a dozen of these buildings of varying size, clustered together in less than a square mile.
The Magus glanced to his left and saw me gaping at them.
“They’re called Sky Scrapers Meridiana. They’re generally office buildings, places of business where people daily work in their wage-slave jobs then go home at night. The buildings are left vacant but light up at night as you can clearly see.”
I turned and gawped at him.
“They’re empty at night?”
I could not comprehend why such space, that had amazing views, would be left empty of an evening?
“Yep. Well most of them are. There will be some that still have people in them, conducting various types of business overnight because its what they do for a living.”
“What do they do?” I asked in a murmur as I turned back to see the vista be obscured by a large set of commercial and residential buildings that we were currently passing.
The Magus shrugged.
“They’ll be doing all sorts of things, financial trading, working back late to do their jobs… various affairs of commerce and such. It’s not that important really Meridiana. I’ll take you into the city another day when we have time for you to be a tourist. Now, if I may, I want to know more about your Telekinesis. I got an idea of how much you can lift, probably over 1400 kilograms at least if my guess as to how much a warhorse in armour with a rider would weigh… maybe more? Probably more but we’ll test that later. Anyway, it’s your fine control skills I’m interested in.”
I turned back to the Magus who was looking ahead, driving us through the busy traffic that had become a factor. I later learned that it was a time of day called ‘rush hour’.
“I am capable of very delicate manipulation with my Telekinesis, especially in regards to the erotic arts,” I said to him with a husky, low, salacious purr.
“That’s cute but I really want to know if you could snatch out of the air and control a very small, fast moving bouncing ball, say the size of your thumbnail?” he asked in an offhand manner as he slowed down due to the traffic which was banking up in front of us.
I inwardly sighed once more. Such a challenge he was!
“Yes I can but why?”
He briefly turned to me and broadly grinned before returning his attention to driving.
“There’s a game that we will ‘play’ after dinner. It is called Roulette. The game features a spinning wheel with thirty seven little slots. Into the spinning wheel a little white ball is spun in and circles around, eventually slowing and bouncing into once of the numbered slots. The slots are alternately coloured red or black and all are numbered from 00 to 36. You can bet where the ball will land, either in red or black and specifically in a numbered slot. If the ball lands in a slot you bet on, you get a payout of thirty seven to one. Ever dollar you bet wins you 37 back. You can also just bet on which colour the ball will land in giving you your money back plus it’s value as a reward. Bet $100, you get your $100 back plus another $100.”
“Dollar... that’s money right?” I said as the implications slowly dawned on me. You could make a fortune from this!
“Yes Meridiana. Dollars are what we use as currency these days. Gold is still used but not in the way you were used to. It’s still valuable as are other precious metals but that’s going to take a long explanation which is a distraction for now. So, do you think you could perhaps catch the bouncing ball with your power, directing it into the number we bet on?”
I thought about it for a few moments.
“I will have to see how the ball moves but I think I could, yes.”
“Excellent. You stand to make us a lot of money tonight. There are other games like card games, slot machines which I’m uncertain that your powers would be able to mess with. Roulette is our hunting ground. We must be careful though.”
“Why?”
I was surprised by his tone of caution. We were power incarnate! What could possibly touch us?
“Casinos hate losing money. Roulette is going to be the hardest one they can prove that we’re cheating on if you use your Telekinesis. We will be closely watched the entire time we are in the casino. There are devices called cameras, similar to Crystal Balls, that observe everything they see, relaying the images back to people in other rooms whose task it is to spot potential cheaters in the casino. They also have people walking the floor, disguised as ordinary folk, always watching everyone else. And I want to avoid the eyes of any infernal beings who may be in the casino.”
“Ahh… I see… a healthy paranoia then, for them and us hmm?”
He nodded once, emphatically.
If you have a fortune, you need to protect it, especially from people like me. His caution in regards to our identity was also most prudent and he was correct that there was a possibility that there may be others of my ilk lurking in the shadows, walking in human form as we often do.
I have to confess dear reader, that I am a master thief as well as an expert assassin, in addition to being an accomplished warrior although I rarely fight in hand to hand combat, preferring seduction, subterfuge and skulduggery as my main methods of killing. Yet still, I can fight and kill extremely proficiently with many weapons, being skilled at one of the highest levels of melee combat, the use of weapons and ways of fighting with them. I’ve been around a while you know? You pick up on things like that if you wish to live as long as I have.
Besides… stabby, stabby, stabby, bash, slash and smite can be loads of fun when you’re doing the stabbing and bashing with a well-balanced blade or mace in your hands. But I digress…
“You have it Meridiana. Yes the casinos’ management are extremely paranoid. We will have to alter our appearance as well before we enter the casino. I shall use a minor low level spell while you can take a new face. We will do so after dinner.”
I nodded then a thought came to me. I asked,
“You said we were going to something called a buffet? I know what the word means as my abilities allow me to understand any spoken language, much like the enchantment known as Tongues. Yet I’m finding it hard to match the word with the concept.”
The Magus raised an eyebrow in interest at this revelation.
“Oh right. Just because you know a word doesn’t mean you automatically understanding it conceptually and in context either. Good to know. Well, a buffet is an enormous array of various foods, hot and cold, sweet to savoury, where you merely help yourself and consume as much as you wish. You pay for the privilege of course.”
“Truly? How much will this cost you?” I inquired wide eyed.
I noticed that we had moved through the traffic and had turned down a descending road and were now going into a massive concrete tunnel along with hundreds of other cars, all slowly moving in the same direction. It was quite honestly astounding that everyone was not smashing into one another. All the drivers were…well mostly were, attentive to their immediate surrounds and situation as we gradually merged our car into the main lane of traffic which was making its way under the earth via the huge yawning tunnel ahead.
Such staggering feats of engineering and construction which would have made the Emperor Justinian weep copious, bitter tears of pure envy. Oh how I wished I could make him see this and realise his idiotic boast was pointless when he finished Hagia Sophia. He bragged that he had surpassed Solomon himself with his church. He had but it wasn’t worth it. Justinian nearly bankrupted the Eastern Roman Empire, all for a useless church and his own vanity.
Moron.
Still, I shouldn’t care, his hubris ended up sending him to hell anyway so... yay! His actions also exacerbated the effects of the famine and plague that swept the through the empire and western Europe in the year 535 with his stupid desire to re-unify the Roman empire under his rule. You will be pleased to know dear reader, that he is burning in eternal torment for his multitude of sins so it is all good. My thoughts of deceased, vainglorious emperors and their fate were interrupted as the Magus spoke again,
“Hmm? … it should set us back about $80 each I’d should say? A small price to pay in all honesty when you see what is on offer. Drinks will be on top of that price, unless you just have plain water but tonight Meridiana, I shall introduce you to Champagne, one of humanities greatest achievements.”
This was enticing to hear!
“If you say so Magus. I completely believe you as you will not be lying to me,” I said, nodding and trying to think about Champagne.
So many new concepts were entering my mind, it was hard to keep my mind and thoughts in order. I understood that Champagne was a special type of wine, one which had a fizz embodied within it, making it highly regarded but that’s all I could deduce for now.
Also… I had a thought: the Magus could and would never lie to me. The feeling I had earlier, in being able to trust everything he said to me because of the oath he gave to me, was an unfettering sensation.
All my existence I have dealt with bare faced lairs, deceivers, misshapers of the truth who twisted words to suit their own selfish ends. With the Magus, all I had to be concerned with was his agenda, which actually had my interests aligned with his own. Truly remarkable.
I needed that champagne now!
We emerged from the tunnel, traveling with the traffic over wide dark river, again on another immense concrete bridge this time. There was a gigantic colosseum off to our right, all lit up with multiple coloured lights that ran around the circumference of the structure. It was like as though it was enveloped in a rainbow. Frankly, it was amazing to behold.
Beyond that, I could see many more large towers and structures, lining the sides of the vast road we were hurtling along now. The Magus had increased our speed as traffic had thinned out. Never in my life had I moved so fast, well unless I was using a Haste spell to briefly increase my physical speed, which I use in combat if necessary.
I barely had the sense we were travelling in the car at roughly 80kph. Such an odd experience to have for the first time. There was no rushing of wind, no press of air on my face, just comfort and air-conditioning. Marvellous!
After a few minutes later I saw our destination.
Again I was nearly stupefied by the gigantic structure. Multiple massive buildings, all surrounded by lush green, well-manicured and maintained gardens made my jaw go slack with disbelief.
“That’s Crown Casino, Towers and hotel Meridiana. I can see you are impressed. Let me just say that if you think this is amazing, wait until we go to Las Vegas…” he said as he turned the car into the driveway of the complex.
“There’s even more impressive structures than this?”
My mind boggled dear reader. It was almost too much to take in.
“Yep. My city is a small one compared to others around the globe. We will travel to them, in due course. I know you can use your powers of Dimensional Walking, moving through other planes of reality and appearing on a different part of the planet. However, there will be times when we will need to travel together conventionally. Perhaps one day, if I learn the right spells, we will be able to avoid having to fly in an aeroplane and by-pass the utter tediousness of baggage check-ins, airport security and so on…” he muttered darkly.
“HUMANS CAN FLY!?!” I said in a loud strangled astonished voice.
The Magus chuckled with genuine amusement.
“Think back Meridiana. I said humanity has been to the moon and back. I said we can travel safely and comfortably in a machine, called an aircraft, across the planet. Some ‘planes are huge while others are not much bigger than the car. Oh, that reminds me, we will have to construct an identity for you. We will begin that process tomorrow. You are going to need a passport soon enough,” he said as he found a relatively unoccupied parking area west of the massive structures.
He saw my puzzled expression and mistook it for wondering why we had parked here.
“It’s free to park here and there are hardly any security cameras in the vicinity.”
I nodded dumbly.
“But of course Magus…”
He saw my expression as he switched off the engine. A tiny look of… sympathy appeared on his face. He spoke to me in a soft, calm, soothing tone,
“Take a breath Meridiana. Close your eyes and focus upon the stillness within the vehicle. You are safe here with me. Nothing will harm us. Just breathe and relax, let each breath calm you. With every breath you are at peace within yourself and the world around you.”
I did as he said and instantly sensed my whirling mind begin to centre itself, become still.
I may be an ancient and powerful demon dear reader, however I have been imprisoned for nigh on a thousand years and now have been released into a world that I was unable to recognise at all.
The Magus later told me I was suffering from a psychological malady called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Yes dear reader, even us demons can get mentally fucked up. I mean, compared to the average human, we’re all demented, tormented psychopaths which explains a lot about ourselves but still… even a psychopath can suffer from mental trauma. Demons can go insane.
I breathed rhythmically, each exhaling breath calming me. With one final exhalation, I opened my eyes, turned to my Magus and softly smiled at him.
“Thank you,” was all I said. I meant it.
He nodded briefly, his intensely burning eyes boring into mine, deeply searching, looking for signs of any madness that may still be lingering within. Well, there’s always the hunger for sex and mayhem, but that’s natural for me.
“Come on, you look fine now, let’s go,” he said as he got out of the car.
I followed his example, releasing my seat belt and stepping out of the car. Closing the car door behind me, walked over to the Magus then I threaded my right arm around his left as we walked off like a normal couple, casually strolling through the car park towards the casino and hotel.
I could hear the noise of all the adjacent traffic all still travelling busily along the massive road that went past the enormous complex. There was the calls of various birds I’d never heard before, the waft of scented flowering plants and the heavy aroma of moisture in the air from the nearby river. I closed my eyes for a second just to let it all wash over me as I sedately walked along with my Magus.
Soon we came to the entrance. Huge dark glass doors magically opened for us upon our arrival. To my right I could see various coloured signage, advertising the types of ‘fast food’ eateries that people could choose to dine at. They were all brightly lit and mostly clean.
It was at that moment I saw my first wretch.
A dishevelled, unkempt, shabby man sat listless outside the fast food eateries upon the low stone wall that contained a small, well-kept garden. He looked up at us as we approached, his eyes full of misery and despair.
“Got any spare change?”
“Sorry mate, no one carries cash anymore,” lied my Magus to him with a conciliatory voice, a sad but brief compassionate smile appeared briefly on his face.
The wretched man’s face became even more resigned. He nodded back in understanding, returning his fallen face back to morosely contemplating the ground at his feet.
We kept walking, leaving the broken man behind us.
I was about to congratulate the Magus in his treatment of the beggar when I had to stop as I was confronted by an incredible sight.
Before us, in the huge well-lit lobby of the building, was a huge pair of MOVING METAL STAIRCASES!
One staircase ascended while another came down from the landing some 50 feet above us. On either side were normal, marble clad stairs that some people were using. Yet many other people were on the moving metal stairs, all just taking the experience of being raised or lowered completely for granted.
“It’s just an escalator Meridiana. A simple machine that makes life a little more comfortable. Take it, go for a ride. I’m taking the stairs as I need the incidental exercise,” he said to me as he pried my clutching hands from his arm. I had been unconsciously gripping him tightly in my amazement at seeing such a machine.
The Magus walked off to the left, climbing the steps briskly while I gingerly walked forwards, watching the metal stairs endless appear and ascend upwards. The hand rail also moved in synchronicity with the metal stairs. I observed as a pair of young women, chatting intently to each other, walked past me and up to stand upon a metal stair which was part of dozens of metal stairs it seemed. I saw them be lifted by the moving stairs, rising above and away from me.
Summoning my courage, I stepped forwards onto a moving stair, wobbled slightly as I was not used to the speed which it moved, making me grab the moving banister tightly to steady myself as I rode my way upwards. I let out a small laugh as it was such a novel experience. The young women in front of me turned around at my laugh, raising their eyebrows at me as well as actually truly seeing me for the first time. Their smiles faded as I grinned back at them.
The young women could see my infinitely superior beauty on full display. They looked hesitant, now uncertain of themselves as they mistakenly believed themselves to be beautiful. They were, passible, not ugly but not worthy of a harem to be perfectly honest. I later learned dear reader that many foolish young women, especially in what you call the western world, regard themselves as queens, rating themselves ten out of ten on a scale of dazzling good looks. These sad women are delusional. I mean, if they were that beautiful, why weren’t their faces on the covers of the glossy magazines I see in various ‘supermarket’ check outs? No matter, vanity and hubris are all ways to damnation and misery. So many people sending themselves to eternal torment simply because they were raised by idiotic parents who never properly taught their children the need for humility. It’s all win-win for the pits you know…
My Magus met me at the top of the stairs, holding out his hand to me and then leading me through the vast interior of the complex.
“That’s the casino,” he indicated to our right.
Looking, I could see dozens of people making their way inside into the brightly lit and noisy interior of the casino. I caught the whiff of desperation, despair, avarice, lust, elation and a strong aroma of human urine. I wrinkled my nose in disgust. Yes, even I have some standards dear reader.
“Magus, why does it reek of piss?” I asked as we strolled by and proceeded into the most immense, glass covered atrium I have ever seen.
“Oh, you can smell that?” He looked intrigued.
I nodded with a mild look of disgust.
“Hah… interesting. Well… some gamblers get stuck on a poker machine. They sit there for hours, desperately hoping that the machine they are playing on will pay out. The poor fools stupidly believe that if they play at the machine long enough, they’ll win big. So they stay seated, ignoring the need to relieve their bodily urges, to the extent that they prefer to piss themselves rather than abandon the machine that is draining away their money. The poor fools are incapable of understanding that the machine is designed to rarely pay out. Every time they play, it has a simple algorithm that calculates the chance of a payout. Most machines will payout a small amount of money occasionally, thus keeping the gambler hooked in the mistaken belief that the big one is just around the corner. It rarely, if ever, is.”
I stopped, stunned at what I just heard. The Magus stopped and looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
“That’s… diabolically genius!” I stuttered as I considered the fiendish brilliance of the whole concept.
Someone had made hell on earth not only possible but also could make a fortune from it as well as breaking people’s souls and spirits in the process! The concept of dangling hope in front of a damned soul, then snatching it away was one of the oldest known tortures of hell. This was a magnificent, a culmination of the perfection of thousands upon thousands of years of the torture, all neatly packaged in a fairly simple machine designed to beggar it’s user and turn them into slaves to it. Gobsmacking was the only word I could think off that fully encapsulated the way I felt at that moment.
“Yes it is, isn’t it? I have always suspected that those machines were most likely invented by a demon. It makes perfect sense,” he said as he shrugged, then tilted his head, indicating we should proceed onwards.
I noddled dumbly as again, I had been totally overwhelmed by the latest piece of information the Magus informed of. I barely registered the hundreds of people all wandering around the massive lobby of the hotel atrium. Many were dressed finely while others, mostly men, were dressed casually. My Magus was one of them, still wearing his novelty T-shirt and hemp pants. They were clean though and his shoes, a brand known as Babuuk, made him look somehow better dressed then the other men who were similarly attired. Maybe it was just his subtle aurora of power, his sheer confidence and his towering Will that made him stand out from the mouth breathers all around us? I guess it was.
We arrived at the entrance of the restaurant and the Magus was greeted was a short Asian woman, dressed neatly in the hotels livery.
I started to realise that there were people of so many different races of humanity all around us. I had come from a time where only what was left of the Eastern Roman Empire was this diverse, and even then it was but a shadow of the heyday of the full glory that was Rome. Here were people from almost all the lands of earth, all happily co-mingling, getting on with having dinner with family and friends. Very surprising indeed.
The Asian woman at the reception counter spoke to us with a friendly smile,
“Good evening sir, madam. A table for two for you then?” she asked politely, her voice tinged with a broad accent I had not heard before. She spoke English yet I could tell that wasn’t her first language.
“Yes please,” politely replied the Magus.
This was something I did not expect. Despite his and my obvious power, he was respectful and even kind to the servants. All of them. He didn’t condescend nor sneer down at the servants of the hotel. It is still something I have difficulty reconciling. I said nothing, just observed. Oh, he has since instructed me not to call them servants, they are members of staff and will be treated with respect until they show they do not deserve it, then they are fair game. I can live with that.
“Table seventy one is ready for you both, have a lovely evening.”
She actually meant it! I could see it in her eyes, she was truly enjoying her task. She was smiling and joking with her fellow staff members, politely greeting the next people behind us with her cheerful friendly demeanour.
Astonishing.
In my prior experiences, servants and slaves were a miserable lot but then again, that was understandable. They had no choice as to their circumstances. They had to obey lest they suffer harsh punishment.
As we proceeded into the large dining room, with over a hundred tables of varying sizes, I could see off to my left where the food was.
I stopped again and stared dear reader.
I have been to banquets with Emperors and Kings, Popes and Princes, all sumptuous feasts but nothing was like what I saw before me. Dozens upon dozens of people had plates in their hands, all calmly wandering around the incredible cornucopia of varieties of food that were on display, all brightly lit up for them to simply help themselves to as much as their plate could hold.
Roasted meats, all neatly carved by expert chefs, freshly shucked oysters all seated in enormous silver ice-filled serving bowls, trays upon trays of cooked vegetables of kinds I had never seen before and… a dazzling array of sweet desserts and treats that made me almost go weak at the knees at the very sight of them.
“Come on Meridiana, you’re starting to drool,” whispered the Magus gently into my ear as he dabbed my wet lips with a soft piece of paper that he withdrew from his pants pockets.
Once again I nodded dumbly as I allowed him to escort me to our table. He even seated me, pushing me and my chair in one I had sat down. After he had taken his seat, a young man, quite a handsome one from the Indus I believed?... came over to us, again dressed in the livery of the hotel.
“Good evening, sir, madam. Would you care for something to drink?” he inquired ever so politely.
“And good evening to you sir. Yes indeed, may we please have a bottle of Verve Clicquot, two glasses and a bottle of San Pellegrino sparkling water?” he asked with a real smile to the servant… no member of staff.
“Of course sir, I shall get that for you immediately,” replied the waiter with a pleased smile at being spoken to so politely.
“Thank you,” said the Magus then he turned to me and asked,
“Do you need a moment Meridiana? I understand this might trigger you again…”
I shook my head.
“No. It is overwhelming… but in a good way Magus. I have to ask, how can a place like this provide so many people with so much food? Even in the height of the Empire, there were magnificent feasts to be sure but… you say this happens everyday, that this is just a Tuesday and not a busy night?”
He nodded.
“This is the age of abundance Meridiana. Many of us, who live in what is known as The West, have dwelt in an age of such wealth and richness that almost all here never think on their incredible luck and privilege to live in such times. They do not know that it will come to an end. Maybe that is a small mercy. All golden ages end as you well know. So I say, let them dwell in ignorant bliss for now. We can enjoy it while it lasts.”
“Huh? Why do you believe that your golden age will end Magus?”
“It’s a long explanation and one I do not wish to go into detail here and now Meridiana but later, I will share my thoughts with you on this. Ahh, here comes our champagne.”
The waiter and another staff member had returned, with one carrying two bottles while the other had a metal bucket partially filled with ice. The waiter from the Indus placed both bottles on our table, displayed the label to the Magus who briefly nodded. Then, the waiter removed the cork from the bottle with an adroit twist of his writ. It made a pleasing pop and I could see a little haze of cold… smoke? lightly emanate from the neck of the bottle. He poured the brightly bubbling and fizzing wine into both our glasses, carefully making sure the foam did not overflow them. He was very good at his task.
“Thank you good sir,” said my Magus to the waiter who beamed back at him with a happy smile. He placed the bottle into the bucket of ice and withdrew, leaving us alone, amidst the crowed dinning room.
The Magus took up his glass, holding it in front of him. I mirrored him.
“Here’s to a good dinner with interesting company and later, ripping the shit out of a casino Meridiana.” He pushed his glass gently forwards, lightly clinking it against mine. I wasn’t familiar at the time with that form of salute and toast but went with it anyway, after all… when in Rome as they used to say.
“That sounds… delightful Magus. I am eager for it all.”
I then took a sip of my champagne and was transported into a realm of heavenly bliss.
It was exquisite.

Whelp, it's midnight again. And I can't get her out of my head so I might as well put my memories to use. I honestly don't know if anyone is going to see this and I don't really care, I just need to vent somewhere.
This is a message to someone who will never receive it, and the story of what happened between us. Just a rant I had to get off my chest so I can get some sleep.
I miss her, so much... But she's never coming back, because the funny, snarky, sharp girl I met in what is quite honestly the worst class of sophomore year (civics) is dead. Replaced with a cold, deranged shell of the beautiful person I used to know. Who knows if there is a god, hell there could be hundreds of them, I don't care. But what I do know is they are a cruel, careless gods. they took my happiness, my hope, my soul. They made me feel worthless, I had failed to save the one person I cared about more than anything and now that sunflower I loved has wilted and died, and all that is left is frost, pestilence, and decay.
I met her sophomore year. Her hair a split between midnight black and khaki tan, messy, almost a wolf cut. Her eyes were a deep coffee brown normally, but when even the slightest bit of light hit them they became a vibrant hazelnut color. Almost as if they were coffee and someone poured in the creamer. She wore glasses, round and thin rimmed. They complimented her features well. Rare were the days where you'd find her without some sort of flannel, they did look good on her after all. Anyway, she was a friend of a friend. and it so happened that we were all in the same civics class, so of course we became friends. Turns out she was also in our schools marching band. she was quite the recluse so I never really noticed her, but now she shined. Like a lighthouse's messaging pattern, a beacon of attention, At least to me she was. Naturally we started to get to know each other faster and faster as we started talking more frequently. She was really into, I think it was indie music. The kind you would in the back of record stores or burned onto a CD, because that's so thrifty and retro. The more we talked the closer we got, it helped that we had the same sense of humor and would always spend time together at marching band. She played the flute, and very well too. Of course she made mistakes here and there but we're all human. she was so passionate about music, to the point where you could really see her emotions as she blasted music through her headphones. As the months passed by I started getting closer to her, and consequently, my feelings for her started to grow. A little at first, but it wasn't long until I was head over heels. This girl, who not a couple months ago I barely knew, had me by the throat with her witty jokes and adorable laugh. There was obvious chemistry between us and she definitely saw it, but she pushed me away. Most likely because she had rejected me earlier on in our friendship because I had told her how I felt. Nevertheless I carried on, being the best I could for her. I'd always be there for her, because even though she wasn't interested I should still be the best I can for her. A little while later in the year the fencing season started up. I was on my school's fencing team and she tagged along at practice, claiming she was just there so she didn't have to go home. But I knew she was there to see me. If I wasn't on strip or helping lead the novices, we would be together somewhere cracking jokes and watching bouts. Towards the end of the year she called me one night crying. Now for some context, she had depression and was suffering with urges to SH. I made it clear that I was always going to be there for her if she needed someone to talk too and I praised her progress with getting over her SH habit. But anyway, she called me one night crying, terrified of her thoughts and what she might do to herself. It took me a while but I calmed her down, and convinced her to go to a "grippy sock prison" as she liked to call it. It was a week before I had heard from her again, I got a text from an unrecognized number telling me to expect a call from another unrecognized number. It was her, she was ok and in a mental hospital not too far away. Of course I didn't get visitation but she would use up all of her daily calls to talk to me. And I would always be there, on time and available every time. She told me about the ward and the people, not very pleasant if you ask me but then again it's not supposed to be. She would sketch often, I saw some of her art when she got out a month later. She ran up to me in school and it felt like time had stopped when she embraced me. I had never felt so relieved to have someone back in my like before. The weekend she got out she confessed to me, and we started dating. It was nice at first, hanging out after school, holding hands and cuddling in the back of the local library. But then came the day it all went to hell. I believe it was July 28th, a Thursday. We were hanging out at the library and she pulled out a little white tablet and said she had to use the bathroom. I knew I should've stopped her, the tablet didn't look prescription and she used to have a drug problem. But I didn't want to be controlling, I trusted her. But that was the wrong decision. She came back trembling, unable to speak, but she just layed down on me and put my hands around her waist. I moved my hand to feel her pulse on her wrist and it was sporadic, she was having a bad trip and there was nothing I could do about it. I tried to keep a level head, to keep the situation calm and be there for her. She was in this state for a little over a half an hour, and the whole time I was there. Holding her tight and reassuring her that she was going to be ok, that I was there for her and that I loved her. The next couple days at school she wasn't the same, she was distant, distracted, as if she wasn't really there. She started talking a lot about her friend that she gets substances from, and that worried me. She decided to spend the pep rally the next day with her dealer friend instead of with me. Not a day later she broke up with me, and not a week after that she got with her dealer friend. I was devastated, I sunk into a deep depression and reached the point where I hiked up a hill, climbed a sheer rock face, and contemplated jumping off the cliff I had just climbed just to get away from it all. Obviously I didn't and I climbed back down, back to reality, where I had lost the one person who made me feel complete. Where I was tossed aside like trash. used, and then discarded. She eventually moved away to live with her mother across the country. And I rarely hear from her, but when I do she doesn't sound like the same person I knew. She wasn't the person I had fallen in love with, that version of her was long gone. Remaining only as fragments, pieces of a broken memory, of a broken heart.

I came out to my parents today. I used April fools day as a cover up if they got aggressive, but that was not needed. My dad doesn't care that I'm pansexual, but is very negative about me being trans. I don't give two shits what he thinks, but my mom looks heart broken at the fact.
She told me about when I was a small child, 4 or 5 at the time. She put me in a beauty pageant & i "loved" it. Thing is I hardly remember that & I was 4 & the only thing I remember is a slide show, a toy water gun, a old man & wearing a zebra print dress. That's all, but I love my mom & I care about her. I respect her for all the abuse she went through all her life & I feel like a bad person, or that I'm abusive or something like that.
I remember she told me about her suicidal issues & when she would vent to me. I can't help but cry at the idea of me being such a burden to her after years of trying my best to help. When I was a kid I would make little drawings for her when she got sick, so she would feel better. now I feel like she misses her "sweet little mama's girl" & isn't prepared for her "mama's girl" to be her "mama's boy".
I have a baby sister & a older brother, both have autism, so I'm usually in the role of the oldest. My siblings are often difficult & put lots of stress on us, but I'm usually the one who deals with my brother because we're one year apart & I suck with kids. My mother is worried that I'm using being trans as a excuse to get out of work. I try to tell her that I'm not.
Got to admit, being closeted sucked. But the guilt is worse.

This tournament sure was...something. In the 14 years that I have followed the NCAA Tournament I have never seen it get this crazy before. This was a complete 180 from last year's Tournament, where we only had Blue Bloods in the Final Four, and a blue blood champion. This year, it is not the case. We have CHAOS.
Now, let us take a look at the failures, and boy do I have a few words for some teams here...
Arizona Wildcats - For the third year in a row, we have a 15 over 2 upset in the opening round. And Arizona was offered up as this year's sacrifice. To be fair, this isn't as big of an upset compared to other 15-over-2 upsets. Believe it or not, I actually saw this coming. The moment Princeton was announced as the opponent, I knew Arizona was gonna go down early. The Tigers just outplayed them and held strong throughout the entire game. Just like in 1996, when they upset defending national champion UCLA in the first round, the Tigers' next upset would unsurprisingly come against a Pac-12 team. Man, 15-over-2 upsets are becoming a staple in March Madness now...future 2 seeds better watch out...
Virginia Cavaliers - This was yet another upset most saw coming, but my god...I'm still stunned by this. Virginia was even leading for most of the game, but then they just imploded near the end. That turnover...what the hell was that?
I swear, Virginia must have sold it's soul for a National Title back in 2019...
Iowa State Cyclones - I swear, the Cyclones are like destined to bow out early in the tournament. It's as if its required by law for them to fall early no matter how high expectations are for them. It wasn't even a contest, the Panthers just straight up slaughtered them. Iowa State is one of the next contestants for my next Legacy of Failure script. But only IF they meet certain conditions...
At least the Cyclones lost to an 11 seed, and 11 seeds at least have moderate success in the tournament.
At least they're not these sorry sacks:
Purdue's Boiler Explosion - What the fuck. What. The fuck. WHAT. THE. FUCK. WAS. THAT. Don't get me wrong, I knew you weren't going to make the Final Four this year. I knew you were going to choke. But as a #1 SEED IN THE FIRST ROUND?! When you were favored by TWENTY FOUR TO WIN?!! Do you realize what you have just done?! This is quite possibly the greatest failure in the history of college sports! This was your ALL-IN year, and you fall to a double digit seed for the third year in a row? Absolutely unacceptable. Matt Painter is on a SEARING hot seat now.
One word, Purdue: NUKE. Blow it up. You aren't winning with Painter. You aren't winning with this coaching staff. You aren't winning this core, and you aren't winning with these mentally fragile players who can't handle a shred of adversity.
Tick, tick, Painter and Lusk. It's time for a house cleaning in West Lafayette. Fucking Purdue... YOU BLEW IT!!!
Memphis Tigers - Penny Hardaway is getting Memphis on the right track. They won the AAC Tournament title over Houston, securing their second straight appearance in the Big Dance. But unfortunately, the Cinderella bug hit them, and it came in the form of Florida Atlantic, who won their first tournament game in school history. Memphis is still an interesting team nonetheless, and I'm eager to see how far Hardaway can take this team in the future.
Iowa Hawkeyes - Congratulations! Your team STILL can't make it past the first weekend of the tournament! This time you get rekt by Auburn. Fran McCaffrey continues to show that he cannot survive come March Madness despite his regular season successes. Iowa, if I were you I would find a new coach already. Fran is not the man.
Texas A&M Aggies - The Aggies had a solid regular season. They came close to winning the SEC Tournament title but got decimated by Alabama. Is this football or basketball I'm covering here? I'm confused. Anyway, it really seemed as if the Aggies had it in them to go on a reasonable run as they were a 7 seed, but then they went to Des Moines and got blown the fuck out by a team that hadn't won a tournament game in 22 years. The failure is always bigger in Texas...
USC Trojans - Despite losing the other Mobley brother to the draft last offseason, the Trojans still snuck their way into the Big Dance yet again. Unfortunately, Tom Izzo's Spartans killed any hopes they had of a deep run. The Trojans failed to conquer Sparta, and it's time for me to break out this scene from 300 again...
Providence Friars - After making the Sweet 16 last year, the Friars had another good team this season and were ranked for most of the latter half of the season. But unfortunately, Kentucky remembered last year's upset at the hands of Saint Peter's and decided to kill any hopes the Friars had of a deep run.
Baylor Bears - Once again, Baylor fails to make it past the second round. Despite maintaining most of the 2021 National Championship roster the Bears still cannot find it in themselves to get past the first weekend again. It wasn't even a contest, Creighton flat out controlled the tempo for the entire game. 2021 had better not have been a fluke for your guys...
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights - Congrats, FDU! You became the 2nd #16 seed to be a #1! Your consolation prize is blowing a late lead to Florida Atlantic in round two. Eh, who cares. You still pulled off the upset. The fact that this only happened 5 years after UMBC's stunning upset over Virginia is the most shocking fact about this too. Now, no #1 seed is safe. We are entering a period in the tournament where even the lowest seeds are now potential contenders. It'll be interesting to see how 2024's tournament goes...
Saint Mary's Gaels - Ah, it's that other WCC team. Congrats on winning another tournament game! Your prize is to get absolutely slaughtered by UConn. Great...
Penn State Nittany Lions - Congrats, Penn State! You won your first tournament game in 22 years! Even though you took the Longhorns to the limit, a big run just wasn't in the cards for you this year. Can we grant another tournament win to Penn State and put them in the Sweet 16 instead of Texas? They deserve it a lot more than Purdue...
Pittsburgh Panthers - Congrats, Pitt! You returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 7 years! You even won a tournament game too! Though all good things must come to an end, and you get upended by Xavier.
Indiana Hoosiers - What in the literal fuck was that supposed to be? Weren't you supposed to make a big run this year? This was the best team you've had in almost a decade and you just decided to crumble like that?! Sure, Miami was playing the game of their lives but it still shouldn't have been a 16-point blowout. Well, could be worse I guess. You could be Purdue...
Kentucky Wildcats - Let's start with the good news first: You were not upset in the first round this time. Instead you get eliminated by your old friends from K-State yet again. Which is good because we don't have to deal with more arrogance from the Kentucky fanbase this time. Nobody like Kentucky, so there was much rejoicing.
Duke Blue Devils - Even with Coach K no longer in the College Basketball world, the Blue Devils still manage to appear in the NCAA Tournament as a reasonably high seed. They managed to end Oral Roberts' foolish ambitions in the first round (I really wanted to make more sex jokes from that...), but then got absolutely BTFOd by Tennessee in the next round. The Evil Empire has been stopped yet again. But they'll be back here again. The Blue Devils never stay down for long...
Marquette Golden Eagles - HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TEACH YOU THIS LESSON, OLD MAN?! Once again, Shaka Smart cannot make it past the first weekend of the tournament. Tom Izzo's Spartans put him in his place yet again. For fuck's sake, it's been a DECADE since Smart's coaching schemes got exposed by John Beilein in 2013. And he still has not gotten the message. Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity, Mr. Smart?
Auburn Tigers - Thanks for allowing us to laugh at Iowa again, Auburn. Now enjoy getting slaughtered by Houston in the next round.
Kansas Jayhawks - For the second year in a row, the defending national champion falls in the second round. Kansas appeared as if they would have this game in the bag, as they led by as much as 10 throughout the game. But then the team just imploded. The Razorbacks fought their way back and managed to eke out the win in the final seconds. Cherish that championship, Kansas. It may be the only one you win for a while.
TCU Horned Frogs - It seems like TCU sports are on the rise as of late. Their football team made the College Football Playoff, and their basketball team entered the tournament as a #6 seed! They even won another tournament game! But unfortunately they failed to make us laugh at Gonzaga again, as the Bulldogs narrowly escaped with the win.
Northwestern Wildcats - Welcome back to the tournament again, Northwestern! Even though this is only your second NCAA tournament appearance, you managed to win another tournament game! But a deep run just wasn't in the cards for you this time. Even after giving UCLA all they could handle, it just wasn't enough. I hope the Wildcats are able to make it back here again someday. Chris Collins seems to have something good going at Evanston. Let's see how things go the next few years.
Missouri Tigers - Congrats, Missouri! You won your first tournament game in 13 years! Your reward is to get absolutely blown the fuck out by another set of Tigers...who were seeded 15th. Come on now. Sure, Princeton was playing the game of their lives, but it still shouldn't have been a 15-point blowout. You're one of the contestants for a future Legacy of Failure script, Missouri. Give me something to truly laugh at and it'll be icing on the cake.
Maryland Terrapins - I'm gonna save the Big Bill Hell's rant this time. The Terps seemed to put a decent fight in the first half, but the Crimson Tide decided that was far enough, and put them out of their misery.
Princeton Tigers - Congrats, Princeton! You returned to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 56 years, and are only the fourth 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16! Third one in a row to do so, in fact! But all good things must come to an end, and there was another team looking to end their own demons. Creighton returned to the Elite Eight for the first time since the year Pearl Harbor happened.
Alabama Crimson Tide - The third #1 seed to fall this tournament. The Tide controlled the tempo most of the game, but the Aztecs eventually took the lead and never looked back. Once again, Alabama's dream to be a champion in both football and basketball like Michigan did in 1989 has not come to fruition. Maybe next year?
Tennessee Volunteers - Tennessee manages to return to the Sweet 16. And that's as far as they go. It's time for them to be upset by an inferior team again, and this time it's Florida Atlantic. The only time it appeared as if the Vols controlled the game was in the first half. But then FAU decided they wanted to go further. They took the lead in the second half, even leading by as much as 10 points, but they didn't relinquish it, making their first ever Elite Eight.
Michigan State Spartans - Congratulations! Your team finally made it past the second round! But the Sweet 16 is as far as you go. And they screwed up big time. This was yet another game where MSU's opponent was doing their best to hand the game to them, but they once again couldn't capitalize on their mistakes. K-State was literally handing them the game on a silver platter. They blew multiple leads and were even pushed into overtime. They even let you stay in the game until the final seconds! But then you just had to fuck up and let Markquis Nowell dance on your ashes, even letting him make NCAA history in the process.
Houston Cougars - What the hell was that, Houston? That has got to be arguably the worst performance by a 1 seed in the Sweet 16 in recent memory! This was the best team you've had since the days of Phi Slama Jama, and you go and do THAT?! Jesus Christ, you're pathetic. It wasn't even a contest, Miami barely even had to fucking try! Well, at least you're joining a real conference in the Big 12 next season. Hopefully the opponents from that conference can toughen you up and make you more formidable in next year's tournament.
Xavier Musketeers - Congrats, Xavier! You returned to the Sweet 16 for the first time in six years! Enjoy getting absolutely mauled by the Longhorns.
UCLA Bruins - Now this was a shock to see. This was the absolute inverse of 2006. The Bruins build up a big lead, only for Gonzaga to come back and build a big lead...only for the Bruins to storm right back and go up by 1. Or not. Maybe this is a repeat of 2006?
"Strawther for the lead...BULLSEYE!!!!"
And the Bulldogs have finally gotten their proper revenge for 2006, where they lost in the West region after blowing a big lead in the Sweet 16. Adam Morrison laughs, and the rest of the country breaths as sigh of relief as they don't have to see Los Angeles win another championship.
Arkansas Razorbacks - Great job, Arkansas! You managed to knock off the defending national champions! Your prize is to get absolutely steamrolled by UConn in the next round...by 23 points. Great...
Creighton Bluejays - Congrats, Creighton! You returned to the Elite Eight for the first time since WORLD WAR II!! And you're on the verge of becoming the first team from Nebraska to make the Final Four, beating out even the Cornhuskers! Imagine that! But it was not to be. The Bluejays built up a decent lead, and were on the verge of becoming the first #6 seed to make the Final Four since the Fab Five Michigan squad in 1992. But they couldn't hold it, as the Aztecs slowly crawled their way back. The Bluejays didn't really make any big mistakes, they didn't foul all that much, but at the end of the day it wasn't enough. They nearly sent the game into OT, but then...a last second foul call gave the Aztecs new life (Refball? You decide.). They would lose by a point. They were THAT close. But I honestly can't be mad at them. Still a successful season though. Hopefully next year you can get over the hump.
Kansas State Wildcats - I swear to god, K-State has to be the most unlucky team in NCAA Tournament history. This was their NINTH trip to the Elite Eight since their last Final Four berth in 1964 and they fell just short yet again. And like in 2010 and 2018, it was to a Cinderella team. First it was Butler. Then it was Sister Jean's henchmen from Loyola-Chicago. Now, it was FAU. Despite having a strong roster, the Wildcats once again could not end their long Final Four drought. Folks like to talk about Purdue being unlucky, but I think the real bridesmaid here is K-State. Just absolutely brutal. Which is why they're a candidate for my next Legacy of Failure script.
Texas Longhorns - This was very much a Days of our Steelers season for Longhorns basketball. Head coach Chris Beard was axed following an incident where he beat his wife (FUCKING IDIOT), and assistant Rodney Terry had to step in and clean up the mess. Thankfully, it was a good hire. Terry helped guide the Longhorns to their best season in ages, as they returned to the Elite Eight for the first time in 15 years. It appeared as if they were on the verge of returning to the Final Four for the first time in two decades! But then, the team straight up SHAT THE BED. Texas could not get anything going at all near the end of the game, as the Hurricanes came back from 13 points down to make their first Final Four. YOU BLEW IT!!!
Though lets be honest here, the refs were absolute dogshit. Calling blatant offensive fouls as fouls on the player guarding, are you fucking kidding me? Still, the Longhorns did screw up and blow that lead. Blame the refs all you want, but you want to know what would have helped? Not blowing a 13 point lead late in the second half. But at least Rodney Terry has shown that he can coach. Hopefully he can lead this Texas team to new heights in the future.
Gonzaga Bulldogs - pukes uncontrollably Fucking hell, are you kidding me? What the hell were you doing all game long? This was your ALL-IN year. You were the top scoring team in the country. You had the best player in the nation in Drew Timme! And you got absolutely beaten to a pulp by the team that beat you in your first Elite Eight appearance 24 years ago. Sure, UConn was playing the game of their lives, but it still shouldn't have been a near-30 point slaughter. You managed to unleash the Pandora's Box of Locusts known as UConn fans on the College Basketball world. Your Legacy of Failure continues. UConn is still getting the best of you after all these years, eh?
Florida Atlantic Owls - Oh my god, it's going to happen! The Owls are about to make history! They're up by 14! Sure the Aztecs cut that lead down to 1 in the final seconds, not to mention the refs are absolute shit, but the Owls are about to make history and become the first 9 seed to make the National Championship! Let's hear it for FAU!
"They don't have their scorers on the floor...it's Butler, with 2 seconds, he's gotta put it up and...-buzzer sounds- HE WINS IT!!! HE WINS IT WITH THE JUMPER!!! A San Diego State Miracle!"
OH MY MERCIFUL GOD!!! Well, this sucks. But it was still a successful season nonetheless. The third 9 seed to ever make the Final Four, and it happened in your second NCAA tournament appearance! Well, you'll be joining a better conference in the AAC next year. Hopefully you can make another big run like this again someday.
Miami Hurricanes - Congrats, Miami! You made your first Final Four in school history! And then the fun stops. UConn comes in to spoil the day. I would rip on Miami here, but nothing went right for this at all this game. Nothing. Missing 14 layups in the second half? Christ, that's brutal. Even though Jim Larrañaga tried his best to get Miami's stars on the right track, they were no match for the Huskies. Whenever Miami tried to strike back, UConn said 'Nope!' and put the Hurricanes on lockdown for the rest of the game. Nonetheless, this was a good run for Miami this year. You'll be back here eventually.
Whew, that was a crazy tournament. Now we're finally down to only two. And only one of these teams will be walking away with a championship.
Let's bring out contestant number one...
Connecticut Huskies
The Huskies have returned to the National Championship for the fifth time in school history, and for the first time in almost a decade. The last time they were here, the Final Four was held in the other major Texas metropolis of Dallas-Ft. Worth, and the Huskies became the first 7 seed in NCAA Tournament history to win a National Championship. Now, they are here for more.
The face of this revived UConn squad has been Jordan Hawkins, a sophomore from Maryland who has been this team's leading scorer in their past two matchups against Arkansas and Gonzaga, and it has been a long road for him. During the season opener he suffered his second concussion in his playing career and had to sit out the first two games, but he has thankfully made a full recovery and is playing better than ever. Joining him has been African sensation Adama Sanogo, a two-time first-team All-Big East award winner. He and Hawkins have been the bread and butter of this UConn squad, as both have been leading the team in scoring in a majority of games this season. Sanogo has also been this team's rebounding machine, as he has led the team in rebounds in all four of their tournament games so far. Rounding out UConn's Big 3 has been Andre Jackson Jr., who has been the Assists leader for this team in 18 games including the NCAA Tournament.
UConn has been the hottest team in this tournament thus far, as they've won each of their first four games by at least 10 points or more. Iona? 14-point win. #5 St. Mary's? 15 point win. #8 Arkansas, who just took down the defending national champs? 23 point win. #3 seed Gonzaga, who had three-time consensus All-American Drew Timme? Doesn't matter to them, they won by 28. #5 Miami? Even though the Hurricanes tried to put up a fight, they were beaten by 13. This Huskies team is absolutely unstoppable. The last two teams who won their first five tournament games by double digits both went on to win the national title - North Carolina in 2009, and Villanova in 2018. And it looks like history is about to repeat itself. UConn is hungry for it's fifth national title.
This #4 seed is playing like a #1 seed, and they are for sure the favorite to win it all. Just like every other time UConn has a solid team in the tournament, it's National Championship or bust.
Prepare for their wrath.
But not if their opponents have anything to say about it...
San Diego State Aztecs
The Aztecs have made it to the National Championship game. Exactly as everyone predicted at the start of the tournament. What this team reminds me of is the drug addict that has had numerous chances to get his shit together but constantly relapsed every time. And it's only through a reflection and a last second intervention that he starts to get clean.
For a while it felt as if San Diego State would never make it here. Former Michigan head coach Steve Fisher and his longtime assistant Brian Dutcher spent YEARS building this team into a contender. And the Aztecs have put up many elite teams over the years, but could only go as far as the Sweet 16 at best.
2011 seemed to be their year. They fell to UConn. In 2014, they were a 4 seed. They fell to Arizona. And after a series of first and second round eliminations, they finally got over the hump and made it to the promised land, though just BARELY.
This run has been far from easy for the Aztecs. They escaped by 7 points against Charleston in the first round. In the second they destroyed Furman, who just upset Virginia. Then came the Sweet 16, their opponent was the overall #1 seed in Alabama. It looked like another early exit for the Aztecs again. But then, a miracle happened. They rallied from 9 points down in the second half against Alabama to take the lead for good and make their first ever Elite Eight. And in their first Elite Eight, Creighton pushed them to the limit. However, they managed to overcome another deficit and escape by the skin of their teeth in the last second (Refball? You decide.). Same case in their first ever Final Four. They trailed by fourteen against Florida Atlantic, and it felt as if that was it. But then, the Aztecs pulled off another miracle to win by 1. That miracle's name? Lamont Butler. This team is the Energizer Bunny of the tournament. They will not die no matter how much stress you put on them.
SDSU's sudden appearance in the National Championship feels less like a "Glad you made it here!" and more of a "FINALLY!!". Considering all of the elite talent and top-tier coaching they've possessed over the years, it's still surprising that it took them this long to get here. But hey, better late than never.
Fuck you, Spanos!
The face of this San Diego State team has been Matt Bradley, a two-time First-team All-Mountain West selection. Alongside him is Ghanaian sensation Nathan Mensah, who is known for his immense wingspan of 7'4 ft, and has led this team in rebounds in two of their four wins this tournament. Other standouts on this Aztecs team include Jaedon LeDee, Micah Parrish, Darion Trammell, and Lamont Butler, who has led the team in Assists this tournament.
Brian Dutcher has built a winner this tournament, but we all know what his ultimate goal is - a National Championship. Though it wouldn't be his first. His first title came with the 1989 Michigan team led by Glen Rice and Rumeal Robinson, where he was an assistant under Coach Fisher. Now he's looking to win one as a head coach.
The Aztecs seek to become the first team from California to win a national title in basketball since 1995. That year, UCLA won their 11th National Title in school history by knocking off the "40 Minutes of Hell" Arkansas squad, a rather formidable opponent on par with this UConn team. And no team from California has done it since.
Will San Diego State be the team to break that drought, and become the fourth team from the Golden State to win a National Title? Will they become the first non-power five conference team to win a National Title since UNLV did it in 1990?
Will the Aztecs become the first team from San Diego to win a championship in either the pros or college, and break the San Diego sports curse?
And so, here it is. The Big East Empire of Doom, versus the Mountain West's only hope!
Time for battle.
EPIC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP JINXING
Unfortunately, there will be no miracles this time. I think UConn has this one in the bag. They've been destroying their opponents with ease, like North Carolina and Villanova before them. No matter what you throw at them, they'll just push it aside like a cardboard box. Their 28-point win over a stacked Gonzaga team is proof of this. They always seem to have an answer for whatever their opponents throw at them, and therefore the choice is easy.
UConn will steamroll the Aztecs by at least 10 points and cruise to a 5th National Championship, tying with both Duke and Indiana for the fourth most championships.
Have a nice day.

Hey all, recently I was streaming my PS4 to my computer using an Elgato 60. When I finished up, closed the stream capture program and unplugged everything, my computer completely shut down. Since then, when my battery gets low (I'm talking as high as ~20%), the charger light will start to flash. No matter how swiftly I plug in my charger, the laptop completely shuts down, and when I boot it back up, it has 0% battery. If I also grip it weirdly (I don't know how, I thought it was too hard, but if I just grip it the wrong way or something) the screen will flicker black, and even yesterday it completely shut down.
As far as I can tell, my specs were completely fine for the use of the Elgato (My laptop is a Nitro 5 515-55 with the following specs: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10300H CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 and 8 GB of ram) and I had used it plenty times before without issue. I also set the Elgato up as intended, with a USB 2.0 cable in a USB 2.0 port.
I looked a little into the issue - I couldn't find concrete answers, but the best I could find was that somehow there had been too much wattage, which damaged a diode on the motherboard - I only found this when searching up generic "laptop charger light flickers and then it dies when plugged in" (Don't remember my exact query, sorry), so I don't know how reliable that is. I'm hoping in my heart of hearts I can just try replacing the battery, but I'm not so sure that will be sufficient.
If anyone can diagnose my problem, it would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

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????? POV
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"Brought th' greenhorn like ya said Boss!" (Terris)
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"Good. Now then, freshy, how ya gonna make up f'r the loss of that group we were gonna snatch and sell off?" ('The Boss')
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"Well, they ain't coulda gone far right, so we just gotta find 'em again and snatch 'em right? An' it'd make sense to go the direction they'd sent out that big hunt party right? So's we should go west from where we spotted em and we should fine 'em again...I think?" ('Greenhorn')
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"So ya ain't completely brain dead then. Good. Terris, grab one of th' one's we've got already, slap a collar on 'em and make them act like a translator fer ya. Hmmm...we ain't wantin' t' have t' hunt 'em down again, so take an empty slave wagon, an' that beast t' pull it, yanno th' one. Oh, an' greenhorn, if ya screw this up, yer gonna be on th' beasts menu. Ya get me?" ('The Boss')
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"Yeah....I uh...I getcha boss"
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Vahlu POV
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Preparing for a bit of roaming was always something before, but now its...honestly alot less stressful. The little Poppit ridding on my back and shoulder while holding my emergency food sack in it's mandibles. Tucking my sandboard under my arm as I leave my tent, I'm quickly spotted by some of the other hunters who quickly grab their kits with nods toward me.
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"You don't have to go if you don't want to, yanno." (Vahlu)
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"We don't have too, but all of us are gettin' a bit...antsy without something to do and bein' cooped up in camp like this. Yanno how it goes!" (hunts-skink)
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"Fair enough. I figured we'd roam out toward the old campsite a bit.. Check and make sure we didn't forget anything important at the old campsite, not that I think we did, and then on the way back just swing around a bit from the path, like this." (Vahlu)
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Drawing two circles in the sand, one bigger than the other, I'd then draw a line from the big circle to the little circle. From there an upward ark from the small circle back to the big one.
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"This route will get us to the old spot quickly to do that quick check, then let us look for other things of interest on the way back. Any complaints?" (Vahlu)
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"I got one their Vahlu. What if we did an ark in to the old place too, get even more ground covered, and, not take the same path back that we took out here in the first place. Last thing we want is for a new greater sand runner to be out there after Poppit made a snack of one. They usually avoid our numbers but, better to be cautious." (veteran hunts-skink)
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"Good call out, wasn't even thinkin' on those things, and while Poppit had eaten one so easily before, that was...before. Let's put it like that. A'right then, make sure ya got your own Poppit with ya, Curator seems keen on keeping us safe, they are light, and, if they help out, some things that might have been a problem to deal with might not be." (Vahlu)
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Waiting for confirmations from the others and seeing the little sandtraps crawling up onto their partners, even as the older hunts folk with me suppress their reflexive shudders, we'd quickly wrap up our preparations. That's when that familiar presence naggles in the back of my head.
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"By the by Vahlu, if you run into any serious problems, don't be afraid to call for help. There are some...tricks...I may be able to pull out of my proverbial hat t' help out. No guarantees on all of them, but if it's serious, no tricks, I'll just use the tried and true method of the people I was of before. Throw a rock, and, if that doesn't work, it just means you didn't throw a big enough rock! Jokes aside, I'm only a mental shout of help away, and you know I'm not afraid to get my 'hands' dirty." (Curator)
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"Got it. A'right you guys, lets head out, I want to be back before sun down!" (Vahlu)
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With a chorus of 'got its' and slight cheers, the band of hunters heads out. Lead by Vahlu, the eight person team would head out, following the planned route, as best the could anyway!
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Vaslo POV
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While my brother is preparing for his excursion outside Curator's domain, I'm getting a crash course on the 'needs' as it were. Babe listens in 'ceiling' of his core chamber, and Vekla sits beside me, also eager to learn more of what Curator knows.
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"So, what I'm going to cover first is what my people called the 'rule of 3s'. Really useful way to order things by importance in various situations. First of these rules is '3 minutes without air' this means if you were to fall into the water of the oasis and be fully under it, or get buried deep in the sand, we'd have about three minutes to get you out to keep you from death." (Curator)
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"Sorry to interrupt but...what's a minute?" (Vekla)
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I'm so glad that the sh...Vekla is here, he asked before I could and that saves me the embarrassment of not knowing something Curator seems to think is basic knowledge.
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"Okay...that's...a good question. So, if we say this world has the same length of a full day, one day would be twenty four hours. Each hour, would be comprised of sixty minutes. So it's a...fairly...short unit of time, not much at all. When I say a full day I mean sun at the highest point in the sky to that same time after it's set and risen again. This little explanation here? You could fit it, once, maybe twice in a minute." (Curator)
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"Oh, so, very short amount of time. Gotcha, and I can see why that'd make it the highest priority since it'd kill you the fastest." (Vekla)
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"Exactly. These rules are all about 'not dying' but still make for good fundamentals to check against before trying to thrive instead of just survive. Next on the list is three hours of exposure. This means you should do something about getting out of the elements to an extent within three hours, or if we go based on the sun, the same time it'd take to go from highest point in the sky to halfway to sunset. That's about 3 hours, now, imagine what would happen to you, without any shelter, or shade, if you were under the sun for that entire time? It...might not be as hard on yall with scales but those without scales would potentially perish in that time. From over heating, or dehydration. A better way to think on it would be, outside after the moon is to the highest point for that same amount of time. You'd probably be dead if you didn't burrow into the sand, or, have a tent to help hold the warmth in through the night." (Curator)
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Nodding along with what he says, that makes perfect sense, nights are dangerous for that reason, it gets so cold, one can feel their flesh getting hard and stiff if exposed to it for too long. There don't seem to be any questions there from anyone.
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"Next rule, the third rule of threes, is three days without water. Most things can't survive from being properly hydrated, for more than three days, there are exceptions to this, but as a general rule, creatures usually need some form of liquid intake every three days to not risk drying out to the point that their organs start to shut down. With right now, water is a reliable resource for you all so that's not really an issue currently, the big thing will be to ensure that folks do their uh...business, from cleaning to...letting out waste...decently far away, and, in a way that, should we suddenly get rain, it won't be washed into the oasis and contaminate it. In more crass terms: don't piss or shit in the place your water flows up from." (Curator)
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"Makes sense, and we did set up the waste pit in a way so that our camp is between it, and the oasis, so that should be fine" (Vaslo)
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"Good, good. Next is 3 weeks without food. While going that long without eating isn't pleasant, it's possible, but, makes one susceptible to something called 'refeeding syndrome' that's actually why on our first meeting I was so...insistent that you eat slowly Vekla. I didn't want you to eat so fast that it shocked your system and made your internals decide they'd rather just not anymore, in the simplest way to put it. It's much more complicated than that, but, either way, it'd lead to death in most cases." (Curator)
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Looking over to Vekla I can see the big gulp he reflexively takes before nodding.
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"Thanks for...keeping that in mind when we first met. I didn't even know something like that could happen." (Vekla)
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"I'm glad you did also, otherwise many of us may have just...stuffed our faces on those tasty leaves and killed half the clan!" (Vaslo)
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"I'm just glad you all listened to me on that. Now onto the current state of things, for now, we've all those bases covered to an extent, the only thing that needs more notable work is food. We've got more of the leaves, but, unless we get more of those plants growing it's a limited resource, and from there we're back to the situation of you all needing to hunt down everything and hope it's enough. That's actually why Vahlu is heading out again already, he's not ONLY hunting, but also keeping an eye out for plants and other things to bring back. Who knows, maybe there are other critters out there that could be brought back for raising to later be butchered like cattle." (Curator)
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"That is...sadly the state of things isn't it? We are needing just a bit more to get truly stable to then work on improving other things, like making better shelters and such. Yes?" (Vaslo)
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"Exactly! Like I said, it's a good foundation to build on. Take my chamber here, and the sandstone it's built from and atop. I didn't set this just on the sand, that'd make it shift and move, it extends DEEP into the sands, so that it won't move, anchored down deep. Stable, and a strong foundation to have things upon." (Curator)
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Todays fun fact is based on a recent experience. Apparently, snakes REALLY dislike strong mint smells. I recently spread some snake repellant to try and discourage some brown rat snakes from nesting near my house (I don't mind them but, family member who lives with me has toddlers, and, while their harmless, I'd rather not have to worry about them getting traumatized when the mess with the 3-4ft long snake after being told not too XD) and man, that stuff was so minty I'd have thought some one powdered a case of the green 5 gum and shoved it up my nose lol.
Also, while I do intend to keep the story here any everything free, some one I know suggested I set up a ko-fi thingy incase folks wanted to buy me a coffee (or in my case energy drink, I swear, coffee is a better laxities than exlax XD)