Ocean walk movie theater daytona beach

Bradley__

2016.11.22 18:06 Bradley__ Bradley__

The wolves had the cow nervous. Every few days the farmer would see the pair standing at the treeline, watching. When they tried to take the cow the farmer rushed out with his gun and shot them both. He went to bury them and saw that they were both females, and that both had been nursing cubs. He felt bad, but could not regret it completely.
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2023.06.09 16:03 Thingstodo919 Things to do this weekend!

FRIDAY
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SATURDAY
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SUNDAY
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submitted by Thingstodo919 to raleigh [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 14:45 girl_from_the_crypt Stuck on earth and looking for a job: Fog dimension

So I guess newsreaders can hide their emotions really well on TV. I’ve never seen Mary Markov in any state of heightened temper. The time she came down to help after I’d burned down the FunFlair building with Frankie was definitely a first in that regard. Then again, I’d never committed arson before either, so there were a lot of firsts that night. It’s been two days, but I can still see her angry face before me when I close my eyes. It frightened me a little.
After the fire had been doused by her staff, she gave Fran and me a look unlike anything I’d ever seen before. There was a homicidal rage in her eyes, her mouth had turned into a thin, steely line and the vein on her forehead threatened to pop. To my surprise (and admittedly relief), she turned the entirety of that wrath against Frankie Preston. “What in the world were you thinking?” she thundered, looming dangerously over the shorter man. “You committed a goddamn crime! If you were a normal person, I’d have to get you behind bars now!”
“Wait, I’m the privileged one here?” he snapped. “That woman tortured me! She brought me into this world by fault and proceeded to make me wish I’d never been born! And there was nothing I could ever do about it, because, oh, that’s right, I’m not a normal person! As you so endearingly put it. No one has a fucking clue what I am, so it’s okay for me to suffer, isn’t it?”
Mary opened her mouth to respond, but only ended up shutting it again. Then she focused her scrutiny onto me. “I thought you’d have known better.”
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but I knew what I was getting myself into. This was a contemplated decision.”
“Was it ever.”
I motioned for her to step aside with me, bringing a bit of distance between ourselves and my waiter. “I’ll make it up to you,” I began. “I will, but please, please drop this.”
“Did he force you to come?”
“You don’t actually believe he could force me into anything, do you?”
Mary Markov sighed. “I guess not. Look, it’s not like I don’t understand his grudge. And from what I know of Ms Wallis, she won’t be missed by many. I just wish it didn’t have to come to this. This means a ton of work for me.”
“It means so much more to him.”
Another sorrowful moan. Then, “Alright. I have your back. But don’t, um… encourage this kind of behavior in him, please.”
“I won’t,” I promised. “What are you going to do about the other doll?”
“She’s in bad shape—”
“Trash shape,” Fran chimed in from behind, having inconspicuously strayed closer.
“She’s in bad shape,” Mary repeated, pointedly ignoring him, “and currently unresponsive, but since you said she’s shown signs of sentience, I guess we’ll have to look into her. It prompts a very interesting question, after all.”
“Being?” I offered.
“Think about it. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the other two living dolls, Zion Boyd and Bunny Martell, but they came alive after Frank tinkered with them. And now there’s this one. Maybe your little boyfriend has some kind of yet to be explored ability, seeing as he was the first to gain awareness.” She fell silent for a pregnant pause, glancing between the two of us. “Something to ponder on your drive home. Which you will be starting now.” She made a shooing motion with both her hands.
The message being quite clear, Frankie and I got back into his car. The ride was quiet at first, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable stillness. It felt like a weight I didn’t know I’d been carrying had been lifted. I stared at the server’s profile, alternately framed by nightly darkness and moonlight, drinking in every little detail about it. It was hard to believe that someone as cruel as Philomena Wallis had created something this breathtaking.
“So you’ll probably wanna talk about all of this, huh. About what I am, I mean.” Frankie’s voice was light and relaxed with only a hint of uncertainty gnawing at it.
“What’s there to talk about?”
“Aren’t you surprised? A little… disgusted, maybe?”
“I always knew you weren’t human. Beyond that, it doesn’t really matter to me what you are.” I shrugged. “I mean, I’d be fine if you were human, too. I’d be fine if you were a squonk.”
“What’s a squonk?”
“I don’t know, I just made that up. Anyways, did you actually think I would be grossed out? Did you?”
He smiled. “I guess not. This’ll sound crazy, and it’s hard to explain, but it’s like I got a voice in the back of my head constantly telling me that… that I should wash myself again or that I ought not to touch you. I suppose it’s not really a voice; it’s only these thoughts that kind of keep pushing into my mind even though I should know better. And I do know better. But that doesn’t stop the thoughts.”
I nodded slowly. “I think I understand. I can’t tell you how much I disagree with that voice, though. You’re the cleanest person I’ve ever met and if I could, I’d live in your hair like a cootie."
"That's how close you want me?"
"Yup.”
He let out a soft laugh. “I’m really, really glad you came with me. If there’s ever anything you need, I’ll do it. No matter what. If you want to bury a body, I’ll dig the hole.” He paused. “Actually, we should sell any corpses you might have. It’s wonderfully lucrative.”
I shot him a quick smile before turning to stare out the window with knitted brows. “What do you think about what Mary Markov said? About you being able to make the dolls come alive somehow.”
“I don’t know if there’s anything to it. I don’t remember doing anything special with them. Zion and Bunny were just standing around when I turned them on, and they came to within minutes. I figured they were sentient before, and it was simply repressed. I woke up randomly, too, after all.”
I hummed pensively. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“Well, if you’re implying it’s some kinda superpower, then that’s probably the most useless one ever.”
“We don’t have to talk about this now,” I told him, to which he gave me a grateful half-grin.
Per my request, he dropped me off at Nettie’s place. I kissed him goodbye on the crown of his head and told him we’d text the following day. He thanked me again and I watched him drive off before going up to ring the doorbell, mentally preparing an apology for showing up at five-thirty in the morning. My savior human was surprisingly quick to answer, giving me an indulgent wave as soon as I stumbled over my first “I’m sorry”.
“It’s fine,” she muttered. “I hadn’t gone to bed yet.”
I gave her an incredulous look and she sighed, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Her normally soft, rounded cheeks were sunken, her eyes oddly dull. Judging from the angry red marks, she’d apparently been chewing on her lower lip with some force. It was only then that I took note of the sweater she was wearing. A faded, shaggy piece of fabric that clearly hadn’t been washed since Kit Sutton had given it to her on the cliff that day. I felt a sharp pang in my chest and pulled her into a hug as soon as I’d stepped inside with her.
She stifled a sob when she wrapped her arms around me in return. “It’s hit or miss with me when it comes to sleep lately,” she confessed in a brittle voice.
I swallowed. “I’m working on it. I’ll get her back for you, I have a lead. Is there anything I can do in the meantime?”
“Not really. I just gotta distract myself ‘til the morning comes, I’ll be fine then.”
“Then I’ll stay up with you.”
It was thus decided. We sat down in the living room for a while, then went out into the garden to watch the sunrise. My savior human had taken her place in her mother’s chair while I whipped up some chocolate chip pancakes (one of her favorites) for her for breakfast. I carried them out to her on a little plate with a cup of tea, and for a moment, her expression cleared up for a beam of happiness to shine through. “We should do something productive,” she remarked, and I gave her a questioning tilt of the head. “I’ve been thinking,” she went on. “Isn’t it weird how all these years, you didn’t hop dimensions once, and now all of a sudden it keeps happening?”
“Don’t worry about that right now.”
“I always worry, baby girl. It’s my natural state of being.”
“It shouldn’t be,” I insisted. “It feels wrong. You have your own problems, I don’t want to add to that.”
“Seriously, that’s not what’s happening here. This is just how I keep my mind off… things.”
I rolled my lips together. Blue-haired things, probably. “You deserve so much better. You deserve this to be way, way easier,” I stated.
“That’s a nice thought. But it doesn’t change anything right now. You can control your body, can’t you? Your teeth and tentacles?”
“Yes. It happens automatically when I get scared sometimes, but for the most part, I’m actively doing it.”
“Then how about if we could somehow start getting you on top of your dimension jumping, too? It would be a tad risky and I’m not sure how to go about it exactly, but it would be far better if you could toggle it. You’d be able to stop yourself from hopping when you don’t want to, but maybe you could venture into these other spaces for exploration purposes, too.” The words spilled out of her like a babbling little waterfall as she plucked apart one of her pancakes and stuffed them into her mouth. “Because there has to be more to this. I just have that feeling. So I reckon we try and find a way to work with this. What do you think?”
“Sure. I guess I’d be… open to that.”
“Really? I-I don’t want to pressure you…”
“No, no, it sounds fine! I wanna try!”
“Okay!” She set aside her plate, rubbing her hands in blatant excitement. “So it happens when your flight instinct kicks in, correct? How about we get you in that headspace on purpose?”
“How would we do that?” I asked cautiously.
When I was sitting cross-legged on the ground among my savior human’s countless flowers with my eyes closed and her hand in mine, that question had pretty much answered itself. Nettie Peterson was leading me in a “guided meditation” consisting of several intrusive queries about my first ever jump—the most terrifying moment of my entire life.
“The thing, that floating maw, what did it look like?” she began, referring to the creature that had ended it all.
I furrowed my brows. “It didn’t look like anything,” I replied meekly. “Mostly, it was just… really big and dark.”
“Dark? What color dark?”
“Black, I guess. It swallowed the light.” A pulsating pain began to flare up behind my forehead. “It was nothing. It was like a giant ball of nothing.”
“You told me once that it made a noise,” my best friend went on, her fingers grasping mine a little tighter. “Do you remember that sound?”
I winced. “Yes.”
“Describe it.”
“It was more like a vibration that went through everything,” I mumbled. “The ground was shaking. And then we all screamed.”
“Did you see inside its mouth?”
“No. There was nothing inside of its mouth. There was nothing inside of it. Just emptiness.” I shifted my weight. Images were flashing in front of my inner eye, filling the darkness behind my closed lids. My breath had caught in my throat and it felt like ants were crawling beneath my skin. “And then all of us were suddenly… nothing, everything was gone and at that last moment, everyone was so terrified. They all knew it was over. All of them.”
At first, I thought Nettie Peterson’s hand was trembling. Then I realized it was my own, shaking hers through the contact. For a moment, my body felt feather-light, but not in a relaxing or comfortable way. It was as though I was afloat, out of control and weightless. I didn’t like it. “Can we stop?” I choked out.
“Of course,” my best friend replied, gently squeezing my fingers.
I let go of a deep breath, blinking my eyes open. Across from me, Nettie was giving me a soft but deeply apologetic smile. “Did I push you too far?”
“It’s not your fault. I think I simply wasn’t ready for this.”
“I understand. Let’s go inside and make some more of those—” She stopped mid-sentence. She’d been pointing her chin at the plate of pancakes resting on her chair, only to see that it had changed.
The food I had just served her half an hour ago had turned into a moldy, rotten mess. A couple flies were circling it, emitting a low, almost melodic buzz. My savior human and I traded wide-eyed glances, disbelief, fear and excitement mirrored in our eyes. We then got up to take in our surroundings. The flowers surrounding us weren’t the same anymore. They were either withered or deathly pale; formerly pink, yellow and red petals had become either light gray or iridescently white. Thick, soupy fog was hanging over everything, it was denser and heavier than any we’d ever had in town before. The mist seemed to have consumed all the noise and color in the world, leaving only cold, oppressive silence.
Nettie was the first to regain speech. “It worked! Oh my Lord, it actually worked.”
I clasped her arm and she immediately fell silent. Wordlessly, I pointed at the rolling fog on the other side of the garden fence. There was something moving within. An enormous, caterpillar-like shape soundlessly dragged itself through the air, its long body slowly moving along across the street. My savior human’s jaw had dropped, her mouth wide open as she followed my gaze. Neither of us moved a muscle as we waited for the creature to pass by. Thankfully, it didn’t seem to take note of us at all. I didn’t want to imagine what could happen if one were to draw its attention.
“This is… I don’t believe this,” Nettie breathed, running a hand over her mussed coils. “You did it. We’re not home anymore.”
“What do you propose to do now?”
“Keep our heads low and try to find out anything useful, I’d say.”
I nodded and she folded her hand into the crook of my arm. Together, we proceeded through the open door back into the house. Wammawink and Nettie’s old convertible were standing in their garage, a pool of motor fluid surrounding each vehicle. The paint was peeling from the car doors, matching the way the pictures and photographs around her house had faded.
The food in her kitchen had morphed into a self-contained ecosystem. Bugs were crawling up and down the walls and ghostly white mice scuttled across the floor with shocking brazenness. There was no trace of human life anywhere in sight. We stepped out the front door and into the street only for Nettie to grab me and fling me to the ground next to her. We flattened ourselves against the curb as another one of the gigantic caterpillar-figures snaked its way along just a couple feet above our heads. I craned my neck to give my best friend a sidelong glance out of terrified, saucer-sized eyes. I could see my reflection in hers as she pressed a finger to her lips. I gave her a tiny nod.
Finally, it was gone again and we helped each other to our feet. Nettie brushed down her sweater with great care before tilting her head at me as though asking if I was alright. I gave a reassuring, albeit wavering smile which she returned with a slight strain to her brow. We linked arms again and started walking down the street. The whole dimension seemed to be a mirror image of our hometown, only deader. Aside from the flies and vermin, there seemed to be very little life. All of the houses we were so familiar with looked decrepit, old and empty. Walls were crumbling down, roofs looked to be seconds away from caving in and most windows were shattered. It was impossible to see ahead through the mist, but we managed to hide from the flying worm-things everytime they came up.
We were starting to become a little frustrated seeing as our exploration yielded nothing of note. There was hardly anything to be seen safe from the depressing alternate version of our neighborhood. On top of that, the clammy chill that hung in the air along with the fog was making us increasingly uncomfortable. Finally, we decided we should try and get back home. We returned to Nettie’s garden where we crouched down once again, hand in hand. Before my savior human could begin her questioning though, the ground beneath us suddenly began to shudder, heaving as if moved by some kind of subterranean pulse.
Nettie Peterson and I snapped our eyes open at the exact same time, mouths agape in bewilderment. And then we saw it. It was in the sky, partially veiled by the thick fog yet impossible to overlook. It became darker and darker as it neared, its indescribably large form seemed to envelop the entirety of the heavens. It had been five years since I had last seen it, but I recognized it immediately. Not that it had any features I could have recognized. I remembered though, and in that moment, it all came flooding back to me. The breeders that threw themselves in front of their young, the cries that echoed across the plains together with the stones and soil sent rolling by the earthquake. I caught my best friend’s gaze, read the terror in it and knew that it was just as immense as my own. Her lips were parted in an ear-piercing scream that ended up being drowned out by the hovering roar of the Devourer Of Worlds.
I squeezed her hand so tightly I feared I’d snap her fingers. And suddenly, before I knew it, all was silent again. The air was warmer, filled with the fragrances of countless different flowers. The early morning sun was shining down on us, and it felt like it was heating up my very core. We were back. In the blink of an eye, Nettie had thrown her arms around me, pulling me close to her chest.
“Baby girl,” she whispered.
“That was it,” I rasped out. “That was it.”
“I know.” Withdrawing just an inch, she wiped a thumb over my eye, careful not to scrape me with her nail. It was only then that I realized I was crying. Tears were streaming down my cheeks, noiseless and hot, dripping from my chin and wetting my chest.
"You're not hurt, are you? Look, it's going to be alright. You just take it easy now. We'll go inside, have some tea or coffee or whatever and calm down, a-and then we can figure this all out. Come on. Get up. Easy, easy now." She hugged me even as she pulled me to my feet and into the house alongside her. "So tea. How about strawberry? Or Turkish apple? Or classic chamomile? Something for the nerves, at any rate."
"Wait," I stammered, interrupting her monologue. "What about you? Are you okay?"
"Oh, no. No, no, no, far from it. I'll sign us both up for therapy once I find the time, but for now, tea! Tea."
"Nettie, please don't strain yourse—"
"Listen here, I'm gonna make you some goddamn tea and we'll sit down with it and it's gonna be warm and nice and we'll forget all about this. I'm here. I can take care of you. You do not need to be scared." She pressed her face close up to mine, her voice sharp and a mite threatening.
"I'm sort of scared of you right now."
"Oh." She drew back. "Pardon. I'll put on the tea." A forced, crooked tune tumbled from her lips as she went ahead into the kitchen.
We've both simmered down a little since the incident. It's been two days now. I used most of that time to unwind and recover from what had to be the single most eventful night of my time here on earth. Keep in mind, this happened the morning after the fire. The calm is not going to last much longer, though. I don't mind that, I just need to brace myself.
Rhonda's been in touch.
X
1
2: deadbeat roommate
3: creepy crush
4: relocation
5: beach concert
6: First date
7: Temp work
8: roommate talk
9: a dismal worldview
10: warehouse
11: staircase
12: explanation
13: hurt
14: hospital
15: ocean
16: diner
17: government work
18: something in the caves
19: shopping cart
20: olms and Jewels
21: long hair
22: recruitment
23: waitresses
24: dollhouse
25: burning plastic
submitted by girl_from_the_crypt to nosleep [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 14:26 CuteSpider81 Divorce and Depression (42F and 43M)

42F from USA married to 43F from UK for six years.
I posted a lot of this last night on depression but I need to update and I guess I need help too. I don't have anywhere else to turn so I'm just looking for good solid advice or help or kindness or something.
I have depression and anxiety, and I have been diagnosed with depression since I was 19. I have good days and bad days at the best of times, with probably more bad days than good. Lots of really hard situations, life has generally been really rough. I don't have health insurance, so I'm on the same low dose meds I was prescribed when life was ok back in 2019 because I have a family member who shares with me. I did have a mental hospitalization following a suicide attempt back in 09 following my first divorce and a really dramatic custody battle that had a really shitty outcome.
Back in 2016, I met the love of my life, and we've been together since. We're an international couple and we have had a lot of challenges with immigration, so we've bounced from country to country and we have had to have a lot of separations because of time limits in places, and it's just been hard. He hasn't been employed and I spent some time employed working shit jobs that I could quit when it was time to go back to him. I got tired of this back and forth and I went back to finish my degree so that I could help us gain some stability. I chose a program that wasn't online but that the faculty modified for me so I could do it mostly online. I had to do my last semester in person because of a few class requirements, so it meant leaving his country and going back to my own.
It was hard. When I love someone, I love them hard, really hard, and I would get so frustrated with him because here I was busting my ass to try to make something happen for us, to create the miracle that would allow us to be stable, and he just wasn't meeting me halfway. I would get sad, then I'd get angry, then I'd lash out, and then we'd fix it but we went through this cycle so many times. I suppose I should mention that we DO NOT fight at all when we are together in person. We have a great time and we have a wonderful physical connection.
Anyway, long story short, I went through one of my overworked and super upset periods and said that I couldn't do it anymore and didn't want to be married. I should add that I also have ADHD and I have a real problem with impulse control, saying the first stupid thing that comes out of my mouth and then having to backtrack and do damage control later. I work really hard on it but I mess up a lot. I never mean it when I say these things, but I guess this time he just took it to heart.
He developed what he referred to as an "emotional attachment" to a family friend. I knew something was wrong because I just know him like that, and when he finally came clean, some of the words he used were that things were always tense with us but she made him smile and laugh, that they were talking it slow over a long period of time, and that they would never do anything while he and I were still together. Then he tried to tell me that they are just friends. But, he's saying that he doesn't know if he can trust me or that he can repair the relationship, and does he have to end his friendship with her, and he hasn't decided if he wants to repair things or allow me to come see him so that we can try to talk in person.
I wrote her an email, because I really liked her before all of this, and told her how broken hearted I was and asked her, if she had any respect for me at all, to please not take my husband away. I think he's gone, though. I just have a gut feeling. All of that effort, crossing oceans and continents, working shit jobs that made me sick and miserable just to scratch together the funds for flights, going back to school and busting my ass to try to create something out of nothing, and this is how it ends. Y'all, I got into fucking Harvard for grad school, he wasn't into the idea because it meant moving to the US, and I wanted more than anything to be with him. Thankfully I have an offer at a local university that is really good, but I really don't even have the motivation for that anymore, because all of this was supposed to be for him and for us. I came back for one semester thinking that I would be returning to his country, so I don't have a car or the financial backing to get out, and I'm in this fucking godforsaken rural area with no school going on right now, no places to work that are closer than 20 miles away, and now no husband.
I'm so low, y'all. So low. Wailing, sobbing, can't eat, can barely get out of bed, panic attacks, knowing that I can't go down the darkest road because my kids, who are now 19 and 21 and living their own independent lives, would have to live with that, but damn, do I just want the lights to go out forever on their own without me having to take action to make it happen. I hurt, my whole body hurts, it's hard to get out of bed, I just cannot see beyond this moment. I am not actively suicidal but I just think about standing in front of the train or walking into the water somewhere and the peace in that. I'm not going to do it, let me reiterate that, but there's a peace in the thought of this really hard life being over. I'm old enough to have lived and I've seen a few interesting places, my kids are adults, I don't really have any other goals left because they were all tied into him, like buying a home and taking a real vacation together and having dinners and watching movies and just finally having a normal life for once. Without those goals, I don't really have any of my own and I don't really care anymore. My social anxiety keeps me from being able to connect with friends, and my family is really challenging, complicated, and unsupportive. I tried to reach out to a family member today and I got, "You STILL down in the dumps?" Jesus Christ, I wish I was just down in the fucking dumps. This is different and it's very reminiscent of the time I was hospitalized.
Last night I called him at like 1 am my time just wailing, sobbing, hyperventilating, pleading. He stayed with me on the phone for two hours until I fell asleep and he told me that he loved me and that I could come see him and stay with him, but I also know that the family friend is coming over today to visit with everyone, including him, and I can't help but feeling like that was some bullshit he fed me just so I would shut up and go to sleep.
I've downloaded Headspace to try to breathe, tried listening to music, tried to read and can't focus on shit, nothing is working. My hygiene is lapsing. I'm having really vivid nightmares where I wake up sweating (last bad one was about being forced to slice my own toes off and eat them WTF). I just don't know what a person with no support system does when things are like this. He was my support system. The last time I was hospitalized, someone just happen to find me because I was living on a military base, but that's not going to happen this time. No one is coming to save me, and I have to save myself but I don't know how. I'm to the point that it's hard to move my body and I hurt all over and it's taking a lot of effort to get this message out, but that's how badly I need help.
I'll take any advice. Literally anything. The internet is my only outlet and I don't have anyone else to ask. This is sorta my last ditch effort to get some help. This shit HURTS like nothing ever has. Any thoughts? I'll be glad to hear them.
​
TLDR: I've been married for six years and working so hard to keep my international relationship together. I left for six months to finish my degree and during that time, my husband developed an emotional attachment to someone else and he's not sure if he wants the relationship. My preexisting depression has jumped by about 1000% and I can no longer function re: hygiene, getting out of bed, panic attacks. Please help.
submitted by CuteSpider81 to relationship_advice [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 14:04 Round-Antelope552 What would help…

I’m sorry so many people will think this is the wrong sub but I am deadset not able to take the onslaught of criticism and judgement I regularly see there.
I dealt with feelings of regret for awhile, but I have a really deep sense of love and wanting to protect my 4s. There’s been a lot of trauma and I think with everything that went on it was like life didn’t look anything like I planned and has been hard as concrete trying to work through.
I realised in the end I only felt that way only because of the trauma, and feeling like I failed at finding the best situation for a child to be raised in. Special needs thing was difficult, but it’s shown me that we are really not that different in many ways and we gotta look out for each other.
I think what would have stopped all these horrible feelings was probably greater access to my own freedom without having to compromise on the safety or quality of care for my son.
All I wanna do most weekends is either eat heaps of food and walk around the city without needing to worry about what time I get home, and can play pool or poker and have a glass of alcohol, not too many but just to idk participate in society I guess or go walk around Forrest-side beaches and sleep near the ocean take photos, think.. or maybe try badminton.
I feel like being able to exercise agency and self care and not having to worry about my child’s safety and being able to work definitely put things in perspective for me and the things that I guess would go around in my thoughts had mainly to do with these things.
When I am able, I can. When I am unable, I don’t feel happy or able to do what I need to do for our good life for both of us. If that makes sense.
submitted by Round-Antelope552 to regretfulparents [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 13:37 Beachwoman24 Update on SIL and phone usage

So yesterday, we were all at the beach house. Apparently, the 3 girls (17, 16, 16) all tried to take their phones into the bedroom again. My SIL yelled at all of the girls and made them leave the room because she didn't want the girls in the bedroom on their cell phones. Nevermind that all 3 have been coming to my house and using their phones in our daughters bedroom. I asked if there was a reason for this, and she said "yes, we just don't air everything" and "my house, my rules" and walked away. Her daughter left the house crying and went for a walk. I went back to my house in the meantime. The other two girls stayed at the beach house and waited for their cousin to come back.
When my niece got back to the beach house, her and her mom got into a screaming match (according to the girls). The two girls came back to my house. Well, not 5 minutes later, my niece comes sprinting to my house. She comes into the house hyperventilating, can't talk because she is all upset. I send her into my daughters room to calm down. I'm in the middle of cooking dinner, trying to get out of the house with my youngest (14M). I don't answer my phone when my SIL calls, hoping that everyone can just get their emotions together. Well, my SIL comes driving down to my house. My BIL and I both thought she shouldn't be allowed in at this time. I wanted to give her daughter time to calm down.
My SIL ends up hitting her brother, telling him he's a fucking asshole and that she fucking hates him, slams my screen door and almost broke it and goes back to the car. She was a lunatic when she was here. He basically tells her that our niece is in a safe place and we will send her down to the beach house when she can breathe. They have always had a contentious relationship. My husband was at work at the time. She calls her mom and husband (who is not here. In fact, I haven't seen him in 10 years). My MIL walks down to our house and my brother in law said similar things and they both left.
I am trying to figure out what happened when my niece's father texts her to call him or she will not be allowed to do color guard next year. She was just elected captain and it's a huge deal where she is from. So she calls him and he is on speaker phone. He yells at her for a bit and then tells her she has 10 minutes to get back to the beach house or she won't do color guard. She is not calm, but there is nothing I can do. I text my SIL, "Daughter is on her way home. I wanted to wait until she was calm to send her down. And please, do not EVER come to my house like that again". So my niece goes home. I have to take my 14M to the movies 30 minutes away for the evening, so I leave the house and tell the other two girls not to go back down to the beach house. Of course, they don't listen and go down there to hang out with their other cousins. My MIL kicks them out of course. She also tells them that their cousins are flying back home earlier than the 5 weeks because my SIL can't deal with the "tension". The tension SHE caused, by the way.
So, I guess they are leaving early. Not sure when and not sure if we will know when. Regardless, I will not be speaking to my SIL for quite some time. Who knows if she will let her kids have any kind of relationship with my kids. I fully suspect that once my niece turns 18, she will move out and may even ask to live with us in the future.
submitted by Beachwoman24 to family [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 13:32 wardXn 35 day solo itinerary check across western Honshu, Shikoku, Osaka/Kyoto, Kanazawa and Tokyo

Hello, I would like to seek fellow redditors opinions, input and recommendation on how I could better finetune my itinerary better. There's only so much I can think of, and plan as an individual, but with everyone's input and comments I can further refine and enhance the travel experience before I set foot into Japan. Do forgive me in advance for the theorycrafting wall of text.
I know it may be difficult to review the itinerary, so to make the review easier I have broken the itinerary down into specific sub-groups e.g. Shikoku, Kinki etc. Specific questions that I have are bolded.
Thank you in advance for taking your time to provide your opinions!
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Baseline information
​
Specific goals/objective:
  1. Experience Shikoku in autumn (specifically the views at Iya Valley) and in other prefectures (thus making nature sightseeing more of a priority this time round)
  2. Experience Kanazawa for anime stuff
  3. Experience the Shimanami Kaido in full (including any sightseeing spots in between the 6 island chains)
  4. Bonus - try as many sightseeing trains as possible.
  5. Bonus - if weather, time and schedule permits, try skiing as an option in Nagano.
  6. Bonus - stay in as many onsen ryokans as possible, without breaking the bank.
​
Locked-in prefectures [i.e. I will definitely go to those prefectures no matter what]:
  1. Shikoku (as per above objective)
  2. Hiroshima (because its on the opposite end of the Shimanami Kaido)
  3. Kanazawa (for anime related reason)
  4. Tokyo (that is my starting and end point so it has to be included by default)
All other prefectures are basically float i.e. I am open to consider dropping said itinerary for something else based on your suggestion that aligns with my preferences/interest. Most of the other locations I added are prefectures that are often next to each other, or well-connected (apart from the initial Tokyo Kagawa jump via Sunrise Seto/Shinkansen).
​
Wait-list prefectures (prefectures that I want to go, but I don’t think I can realistically fit in without dropping other locations):
  1. Snow skiing at Nagano (depending on how cooperative the weather is in early-ish December (would 2 days be sufficient?))
  2. Ehime, Kochi expansion [spend 1-3 more days]
  3. Izu Peninsula (~2 days, via Saphir Odoriko)
  4. Nagoya + lower Nagano (Kiso Valley) (~3 days)
  5. Ishikawa expansion [1 extra day at Kaga]
I am open to dropping a few days in Tokyo/Osaka etc to make that trade off [currently kept 3 days free for further development]. Alternatively, if the planning can be better optimized based on your inputs I might be able to do one of those without compromising on the base set. I would like to hear your opinion on what locations you would drop in the itinerary to make time for one of the above.
​
General planning philosophy:
  1. My itineary adopts a breadth approach (cover as much area as I can humanely possible without rushing/touch-and-go) as opposed to depth (i.e. spending much more time within Shikoku than what I allocated); though I would be open to considering more days at selected locations if you have strong recommendations. My thought is to experience how different autumn is at various parts of the country (if possible), and maybe winter too (to a certain degree).
  2. Due to the nature of my travel, I note that luggage logistics is a critical consideration when moving between prefectures; my thought is to park that luggage at the next hotel as quickly as possible so that I can free myself for sightseeing within the vicinity, or leave the luggage at the hotel after I check out until I am ready to travel to the next location. I will need to send (quite a fair bit of) emails to the hotels to confirm on this prior to booking.
  3. I will attempt to minimize transit time between prefectures to no more than 2~3 hours a day to avoid having excessively long transport days (except the initial Tokyo Kagawa jump).
  4. Because of the long trip, I will also need to factor a bit of downtime at night for administrative stuff (e.g. catching up a little bit on work, laundry etc).
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Shikoku (~7 days)
Specific thoughts while planning:
  1. I will need to exploit Limited Express trains as much as possible to minimize downtime between the 4 prefectures. Fortunately, for the most part these train frequencies are almost hourly, thus missing one train isnt too deadly consequence-wise.
  2. The transfer between Kochi and Ehime [Matsuyama] is oddly quicker via express bus as opposed to trains (!)
  3. For Kochi, my opinion is that it is best explored on car instead of public transport [it’s a really wide prefecture]; I feel that 1 day may not do it justice, but it is probably adequate for exploring the city centre as a whole.
  4. There's a fair bit of uncertainties while planning this leg so I would deeply appreciate any advice you may have.
  5. This current iteration is unable to weave in the Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari sightseeing train [四国まんなか千年ものがたり] ; if you people think its something not to be missed do let me know and I will reshuffle my timetable as such.
Day 0: Tokyo Kagawa (Sunrise Seto) [Saturday, 11 Nov]
Day 1: Kagawa (Takamatsu) [Sunday, 12 Nov]
Day 2: Kagawa (Kotohira) Tokushima (Iya Valley) [Monday, 13 Nov]
​
Day 3: Tokushima (Iya Valley) [Tuesday, 14 Nov]
[Post-research note: I realized that there is NO public transport to Mount Tsurugi on a weekday. I will have to rent a taxi direct to Mount Tsurugi, make the 'climb', then thereafter take the taxi down to the other attractions. I am inclined to just go full hog on the private taxi and rent it (almost the whole day, probably 7~8 hours for 4300yen/hour) to save the trouble.
Otherwise, I will need to hike downhill which can be rather rough since its just a single lane road (looking at nearly 10++ km) so I think it wise not to penny pinch in the interest of both time and safety.]
Spend the day at Iya Valley.
​
Day 4: Tokushima (Iya Valley) Kochi (Kochi) [Wednesday, 15 Nov]
​
Day 5: Kochi (Kochi) Ehime (Imabari) [Thursday, 16 Nov]
​
Day 6: Ehime (Matsuyama / Imabari) [Friday, 17 Nov]
Day 7: Ehime (Imabari) Hiroshima (Shinamani Kaido) [Saturday, 18 Nov]
I am of the opinion that 1 day in Shimanami Kaido is adequate if I attempt just the main route which is about 80km [as a test run, I did 70km and finished it within 6-7 hours with lunch breaks included]. For now I will plan for two full days, however should I truncate it down to one day later, I will add an extra day to either explore Matsuyama or Okayama.
​
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Hiroshima + Yamaguchi (~4 days)
Specific thoughts while planning:
  1. Onomichi is a pretty good base to jump to Okayama to explore Okayama, Kurashiki or Tomonoura with the Shinkansen accessibility, but it is impossible to cover them all within a single day. If I finish the Shimanami Kaido within a single day or finish it early on the second day, I will have that extra time to visit those.
  2. There's another sightseeing train etSETOra from Onomichi to Hiroshima but it only operates on Monday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday. For now the schedule could fit the train timetable pretty nicely.
  3. Would anyone suggest visiting Miyajima in the morning or in the evening? This would help me determine the order for the Kintaikyo Bridge/Miyajima day trip. Watching the sunset at either destination is pretty good in my books.
​
Day 8: Hiroshima (Shinamani Kaido Onomichi) [Sunday, 19 Nov]
Ideally reach Onomichi just around lunch or earlier. Chill for the rest of the day, and if I'm still up for it, explore Onomichi, including but not limited to:
Retire at a guesthouse/hotel near JR Onomichi that I have forwarded the luggage to.
​
Day 9: Hiroshima (Onomichi, Takehara+Kure OR Tomonoura OR Okayama) Downtown Hiroshima) [Monday, 20 Nov]
​
Day 10: Hiroshima (Downtown Hiroshima) [Tuesday, 21 Nov]
Spend the day surveying Hiroshima proper.
​
Day 11: Hiroshima (with a day trip to Yamaguchi) [Wednesday, 22 Nov]
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Shimane + Tottori (4 days)
Specific thoughts while planning:
  1. Matsue becomes the main jump point for Shimane just because of the subsidized highway bus from Hiroshima, and ease of access towards Tottori later. There's no direct train between Hiroshima and Izumo/Matsue (!).
  2. Tottori is really wide size-wise, to the point that it feels more efficient to have two separate hotels in two nights (Kurayoshi/Misasa Onsen + downtown Tottori) rather than one hotel for two nights (i.e. downtown Tottori). Could be just me making excuses to get into an onsen ryokan however.
  3. Is there anything interesting at Yonago (Tottori) that I should take note of? Based on my initial survey nothing in particular pops up (other than the Tottori Prefectural Flower Park).
  4. Skipping Tottori Castle since it doesn’t seem to be interesting at first glance. Any other interesting things to at Tottori downtown (or nearby)?
​
Day 12: Hiroshima Shimane (Matsue) [Thursday, 23 Nov]
​
Day 13: Shimane (Izumo / Matsue) [Friday, 24 Nov]
​
Day 14: Shimane (Matsue) Tottori (Kurayoshi) [Saturday, 25 Nov]
​
Day 15: Tottori (Kurayoshi Tottori) [Sunday, 26 Nov]
​
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Hyogo, Kyoto, Osaka , Nara, Mie (10 days)
Specific thoughts while planning:
  1. Kinosaki Onsen is intentionally designed to be a slow-paced leg to recover [and also to make time to enjoy the onsens].
  2. The limited express train between Kinosaki Onsen and Osaka stops by Himeji thus I thought of resting a night there instead of doing day trips via Osaka.
  3. Osaka itinerary does look sparse but that is in large part because I have already visited most of them in the past. Nevertheless, I would like to experience how different it is in autumn compared to summer [based on those few destinations that I loved going previously].
  4. I have kept one float day to decompress, OR shift to any of the other prefectures (TBC).
  5. There are (multiple) special limited express train by Kintetsu; they're not covered by JR pass but nevertheless I would love to ride on those as an experience. The Kintetsu pass covers the basic fare only but based on my preliminary cost estimate, it is still worth getting it.
  6. Is it feasible to compress Himeji and Kobe to a single day?
  7. The itineraries for Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Mie are flexible since they're literally beside one another - makes it particularly easy to shift around base on ground situation.
​
Day 16: Tottori (Tottori) Hyogo (Kinosaki Onsen) [Monday, 27 Nov]
​
Day 17: Hyogo (Kinosaki Onsen + Northern Kyoto (Amanohashidate) day trip) [Tuesday, 28 Nov]
Day 18: Hyogo (Kinosaki Onsen Himeji) [Wednesday, 29 Nov]
Retire at Himeji for the night.
Day 19: Hyogo (Himeji Kobe) Osaka (Dotonburi) [Thursday, 30 Nov]
Day trip to Kobe, before continuing further down to Osaka.
Day 20: Osaka [Friday, 1 Dec]
Osaka Nostalgia (acid) trip, speedrun edition: revisiting places that I want to go again
Day 21: Osaka (Nara day trip) [Saturday, 2 Dec]
Spend a day in Nara.
Day 22: Osaka (Mie day trip) [Sunday, 3 Dec]
Day trip to Mie.
Day 23: Osaka ('north' Kyoto day trip) [Monday, 4 Dec]
(north) Kyoto day trip.
Whichever choice, return back to Osaka for the night. Look out for Kyoto-specific food such as Yudofu, Saba Sushi, Warabi Mochi, Nishin Soba (にしんそば) etc.
Day 24: Osaka ('south' Kyoto day trip) [Tuesday, 5 Dec]
(south) Kyoto day trip edition (mainly Uji and Fushimi).
Head back to Osaka and retire for the night. Consider doing any other night activities in Osaka if time, and body permits.
Day 25: Osaka (wildcard) [Wednesday, 6 Dec]
Spare day to do whatever I feel like doing OR reallocate this to another prefecture. Intentionally left blank for later planning
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Kanazawa, Gifu+ (4 days)
Specific thoughts while planning:
  1. Is it likely for the skiing season to open around 9~10 December at Shiga Kogen or Nozawa Onsen? Would very much like to try skiing for fun, but am uncertain if the snow condition would be satisfactory by then. Some of the skiing website indicates that these two destinations are usually the first to open. I would like to seek advise on this if possible [never skiied before].
  2. As an additional question to point 1, is 2 days adequate just to get a flavor on skiing?
  3. Kanazawa is a pretty solid jump point to Shirakawago/Takayama via express buses (~1 to 2 hour one way).
  4. My initial planning considered going to Kurobe Gorge (Toyama) but apparently the railways are closed from December onwards. Please correct me if I am mistaken.
  5. Another sightseeing train in Kanazawa that I can fit in nicely in my current plans (花嫁のれん), runs on Mon/Fri/Sat/Sun.
Day 26: Osaka Ishikawa (Kanazawa (Kanazawa cityside)) [Thursday, 7 Dec]
Any outstanding spots not completed today, to be rolled over to the next 2 days (if possible).
​
Day 27: Ishikawa (Kanazawa cityside) / Gifu (Shirakawago, Takayama) [Friday, 8 Dec]
​
Day 28: Ishikawa (Kanazawa cityside / outskirts) [Saturday, 9 Dec]
Side trip to Wakura Onsen / Nanao for anime-related sightseeing. (Insomanics after Class, Hanasaku Iroha)
Day 29: Ishikawa (wildcard) [Sunday, 10 Dec]
Spare day to do whatever I feel like doing OR reallocate this to another prefecture. Intentionally left blank for later planning
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Tokyo (~6 days)
Specific thoughts while planning:
  1. Specific interest to target: anime/vtuber stuff, music (piano in particular), bookstores etc.
  2. This is the point in time I should go ham on souvenier purchase if I have not done so. I'll probably get an extra cardboard box or duffel bag to lug with me to the airport to store extra stuff.
  3. Would like to seek recommendation on where I should set my base for the 5~6 days here. For now I am planning to pit at Ginza, subject to availability and cost. My thought is that as long as its along the Yamanote line everything rolls I suppose.
  4. Hard pass on Golden Gai on the Shunjuku leg (I do not drink).
  5. There's way too many to list in terms of what I would like to do in Tokyo, but I have listed items that are of particular interest to me first within the available time frame. If you have strong opinions on specific locations do let me know.
Day 30: Ishikawa (Kanazawa) Tokyo (Ginza) [Monday, 11 Dec]
Day 31: Tokyo (Shibuya, Shinjuku and Nakano) [Tuesday, 12 Dec]
Explore ('west') Tokyo, namely Shibuya, Shinjuku and Nakano.
Day 32: Tokyo (Akibahara, Asakusa and Sky Tree) [Wednesday, 13 Dec]
Day 33: Tokyo (Kamakura day trip OR Ikebukuro) [Thursday, 14 Dec]
EITHER take a day trip Kamakura, OR explore northern Tokyo (Ikebukuro)
Kamakura leg:
Tokyo (Ikebukuro leg):
Day 34: Tokyo (wildcard) [Friday, 15 Dec]
Spare day to do whatever I feel like doing OR reallocate this to another prefecture. Intentionally left blank for later planning
​
Day 35: Tokyo Home [Saturday, 16 Dec]
END
---------------------
If you're still reading up to this point, here's my own personal ramblings/thoughts on JR pass usage:
I have thought of two ways of doing this for the first 21 days:
a. easy-mode : just get 21 days JR global pass before the price hike at 60450 yen, OR b. hard-mode: get a 7 day JR global pass (to cover the NEX fees, the basic fee on the Sunrise Seto to Shikoku, as well as limited express trains within Shikoku) (29650) + 5 days for JR Okayama Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass (15000) + 4 days for JR Sanin Okayama Area Pass + 5 days for JR Kansai Wide Area Pass (10000) for a total of 59230.
The initial conclusion was to go with option A since that reduces the administrative burden, but I realized the individual passes do have its own perk which truimphs over the global JR pass. For instance, the Sanin Okayama Area Pass provides a (minor) discount for the Adachi Museum of Art; the Kansai Wide Pass covers the Kyotango route between Kinosaki Onsen and Amanohashidate which the global JR pass does not cover, JR Okayama Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass covers JR buses within Hiroshima for free, therefore I am inclined to go with the hell option (option B) as it stands.
For the remaining 14 days, I could also get the global 14 day JR pass at 47250 yen but it is not worth it at all, because I will be relying largely on Kintetsu for the Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Mie leg which the JR pass most certainly does not cover.
So all in all, there's quite little incentive to get the global JR pass after I worked out my schedule, apart from the initial 7 days for the Sunrise Seto jump which the All Shikoku Pass will not cover.
Through the hodge-podge of multiple area passes, it works out to around 102890 yen for the whole trip of 35 days, contrast with 107700 yen for a 21 + 14 global JR pass. While there's a minor cost saving doing the hard way which sweetens the deal, the additional minor perks associated with the area passes sells it for me, as I would had to pay more out of pocket to cover non-JR pass buses/rails and such which would add up to much greater cost than I would had anticipated. Also, if I did this trip post-price hike in October, the calculus becomes a no-brainer: avoid the global JR pass like the plague.
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Thank you very much for your opinions, suggestions and advice in advance!
submitted by wardXn to JapanTravel [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 12:41 guessworks Recommend unorthodox trip locations

Everyone knows the classics:
Museum
Movie theater
Concert
Forest
Beach
Amusement park
Bike ride
Mountains
At home
But what are some less talked about trip locations that you've either tried or want to try?
Only looking for good or potentially good locations here. Obviously, there are plenty of bad locations one should avoid.
submitted by guessworks to LSD [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 12:36 Sil0707 26[M4F] Anywhere- Kind and romantic man looking for a serious LTR (Detailed Post)

I hope to find a kind-hearted woman to build a lasting relationship with. Genuine and kind, someone I can talk to about anything and everything. I want a partner who's excited to share their knowledge and experiences with me, grow together, learn new things from each other, and connect on a deeper level. You can share your thoughts and ideas with me, and I'll be happy to discuss all kinds of topics. I want us to build a wholesome relationship where being there for each other is enough.
This part is about what I'm looking for in a relationship: - Mutual love and respect and care, my chest will be your pillow while we binge episodes and watch a lot of things while cuddling, romantic dinners, cooking together, enjoying life to the fullest , holding hands while walking , going to the beach, traveling to new places, trying new things and experiencing what life has to offer together :) . Being there for each other through good and bad times . You can always count on me and tell me everything, I will be the shoulder you can lean on. I'm very romantic and I have a lot of love to give. When we are together expect me to always hug you, kiss you on your forehead, hold your hands and express my love to you and how much you mean to me while I look deeply into your eyes . Romantic moments and lovely things like giving each other pet names, making you bed surprise breakfasts. Tons of Cuddles and hugs . I will always sheer you up, motivate you, and help you . I'll always be there for you.
Currently located in Morocco and I work in IT field. I'm looking for someone 20 or older who's okay with long-distance until we figure things out.
As for my physical attributes, I have light brown skin, black hair, and brown eyes, average looking guy. I used to train in calisthenics and weightlifting, but I had to stop due to shoulder injuries. Personality-wise, I'm an ENFP MBTI type with a bubbly, caring, affectionate, patient, and ambitious personality. I'm easy-going, non-judgmental, and an ambivert depending on the day. I have a good sense of humor and always make my friends laugh. My hobbies and sports include running, calisthenics, cycling, cooking, and hiking. I enjoy reading, playing video games, traveling, camping, watching movies, TV shows, documentaries, and anime.
I can speak four languages fluently and hope to learn more in the future. I love to do many activities like having long walks and exploring new places. When it comes to indoors, I'm very creative at finding ways to enjoy our time. I love discussing all kinds of topics; we can talk about anything from history, geography, cinema, sports, religion, philosophy, languages, food, politics, spiritualism, video games, travel, cultures, technology, and more.
Regarding religion, I'm agnostic, and I don't believe in any religions. I'm still searching for the truth, so I don't have a problem with you being from any religion.
When it comes to films, TV shows, and anime, it's hard to pick favorites, so you can ask me later. As for music, I enjoy classic hip-hop, rap, rock/post-rock, jazz, 80s music, some metal, classic, ambient, pop, and soundtracks. I used to watch anime growing up, and I still enjoy it, but I don't watch it as much as years go by, still watching certain weekly releases.
Thank you for reading through all this! If you're interested, please contact me through DM or chat. Introduce yourself and tell me a bit about you, write more than Hey.
submitted by Sil0707 to ForeverAloneDating [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 12:21 Spectral42 I should’ve listened to my mom. Now I’m on the run and I’m afraid we are running out of time.

This girl and I are held up in an old bus for the time being. She’s pretty banged up, and I am too. I wanted to get this out of the way as soon as possible. I can’t call 911, I can’t call my mother, and I can’t find a way out of this situation. But what I can do is tell my story, I doubt you’ll believe me.
As I sit here and type this I don’t believe it either. Anyway, six or seven months ago my mother and I had to leave our hometown. She told me she needed a fresh start, that we both needed a fresh start. I was pissed. I was so mad I swore and broke shit: I regret doing this. I regret a lot of things.
I just realized I am going to die at 16 with nothing but regret in my heart. Great.
When we first moved to LittleBrooke I was so mad I couldn’t process anything. A big library? Great so what? We had a better one in the city. A movie theater? Why would I go when I can just get a DVD or something? I was so mean to my mother, and for that I’m sorry. I am so sorry I couldn't just suck it the fuck up and be happy.
Anyway, the first month here was extremely tough for me. I had no friends, no family, and I felt hopeless. Phones barely work here, as I am writing this I have one bar of service. No matter what my mother did we could not get the electronics to work properly: This heavily contributed to my mood. In hindsight, we should've both seen this as being a huge red flag. Steaming services not working? We can’t make outside calls? At least we still had social media right? Wrong. I have barely been able to post anything since we got here.
Nothing in LittleBrooke is normal either but I will get to that in a second. When we drove here from New Jersey the drive was extremely long. My mom told me we were going to Washington and that it would be a quick drive. The GPS took us on a three-week journey across the country. My mother thought we could use the time to bond. I thought she was crazy, I mean how could she not see that none of this was normal? She got a job offer to work as an in-home nurse. My mother hasn't been a nurse in 10 years. I do wish I took the time to spend time with her on the drive to LittleBrooke. If I had tried a little harder maybe we could've gone somewhere else, anywhere else.
So fast forward and we got to LittleBrooke and I was so fucken unimpressed. I couldn't believe we were leaving our home for such a weird town. LittleBrooke is not an ugly place, it has a sort of classic charm to it. Something my mom loved. To me, everything just looked old and new all at the same time. As we drove into the town I noticed a huge library, a movie theater, and a diner. As for specific details? I couldn’t tell you because I don’t remember. My mom never let me go downtown after our first drive.
When we reached the apartment building I had to sit in the backseat for a second to take everything in. The outside of the building was nice enough and I could see people going in and out. But something felt wrong to me. As we sat in the car I asked my mother, “Does this feel weird to you?”
“No.” She replied. Her tone was so dry. I wondered if I had ruined her mood. If my attitude was so bad that it just made her angry too. I decided not to press the issue and help her bring our bags upstairs. Heading to the third floor felt like a hike. Once we got to the apartment I was confused to find we would be staying in room 303. There were no other apartment buildings in the area. I did not bring this up to my mother but I probably should’ve.
I was shocked to find out that my mom would be heading to work that night. We had just moved in and at the time I didn’t want to admit it but I wanted her to stay. I didn’t want to sit in the apartment by myself. She gave me $20 for pizza and was out two hours later. I was too scared to order food though and to this day I don’t know why. As soon as we walked into that apartment building I felt gross and tired. Like something was draining the energy from me.
When I went to bed that night I had the worst sleep I have ever had in my life. Nightmares, sweating, the works and I couldn’t figure out why. I woke up around 4 in the morning to the front door slamming. I jumped right out of bed and opened my bedroom door as fast as possible. My mother was standing in front of the door. She looked shell-shocked like her eyes were made of glass.
“Honey?” She called for me. I was scared to respond. I was scared to speak to my mother. I could feel the fear in my chest threatening to burst out. It was weird, I did not want to respond to her, I just wanted to close the door and cry. “Yeah?” I mumbled back.
“You won’t be going to school tomorrow. We are leaving at the end of the week.” She said simply. Her voice was eerily calm. I did not have the balls to ask her why we were leaving. I could tell something was wrong. I probably should've said something.
In case you haven't figured it out yet, we never left. The day we were supposed to leave we found the cars' tires slashed. My mom called the police and nothing ever came of it. We got new tires from a shop down the street, and as soon as we got in the car and tried to leave, they popped. We had to go home and wait for replacements, the man said he would fix the car free of charge: This was months ago.
I begged my mom to just take a bus. Eventually, she caved and said we could but here is the thing, LittleBrooke doesn't have buses or public transportation of any kind. I told her to call someone, a family friend, or maybe my father. She told me she already tried. People said they would come pick us up but they never arrived.
As a last-ditch effort, I suggested we go to one of the neighbors. My mother told me very seriously to not talk to anyone here without her around. She didn't tell me why so I assumed she was just being overprotective: This is where I made my mistake. I should've just listened to my mother.
That next week my mother said she had to go back to work so we could finally refill the cabinets. She told me to stay home, read a book, and keep all four door locks shut. I said okay and that I would be there when she got back. What I ended up doing was leaving the apartment and heading to the mechanic. I wanted answers and I needed my backpack from the trunk. As I was walking to the mechanic it dawned on me: Ever since we moved to LittleBrooke I have never once heard a child. There were no crying babies and no other teenagers that I have seen. I have never seen a school bus either and the town is pretty small so one would assume the school would be nearby.
As I walked into the shop I greeted the man behind the counter. He was the guy who was working on the car. I recognized him but there was also something different. As I stood there talking to him I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
“How is our car coming?” I asked him.
“It’s coming.” He said simply. “Should be done within the week.”
I did not believe him. He said that every time he was asked a question. “So is the high school around here?” I asked. His face changed, he no longer looked semi-happy. He was frowning but it wasn't a real frown. It was like his cheeks lost all of their muscle mass. My body was screaming at me to turn and run. How could he have gone from looking so human to looking like a monster? It’s hard for me to put into words. I made the mistake of turning my back to him when I tried to leave.
I felt something slam off of the middle of my back. It burned, it hurt, and it made me stumble forward. I glanced down to look at the floor, my world was spinning. Red liquid was running down my pants and I guess I just fell over.
When I woke up I could feel a set of hands shaking me. I slowly opened my eyes, the world was fuzzy. My body was in so much pain, more pain than I have ever felt in my life. I tilted my head up and a girl was looking at me. “What?” I mumbled. I could see the blood running off of my blonde bangs and onto the floor. She was in bad shape too, I could see the blood all over her clothes.
“Who are you?” She asked me.
“Zoey,” I mumbled.
“Stephanie. How did you get here?” She asked me.
“Mechanic hit me,” I responded.
We went back and forth for what felt like hours. Sharing our stories before she finally went to sleep. From what I can tell we are sitting in an old school bus and we don’t know how we got here. I guess I am telling my story so my mother knows what really happened. Whatever you do, please don’t come to LittleBrooke.
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2023.06.09 12:05 vdholiday_nigeria 5 Best Worldwide Holiday Destinations for Visiting with Babies and Toddlers

5 Best Worldwide Holiday Destinations for Visiting with Babies and Toddlers
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Summer family vacation mother and baby
Planning a vacation with babies and toddlers can be both exciting and challenging. Finding the perfect holiday destination that caters to the needs of your little ones is essential for a memorable and enjoyable family getaway. In this article, we will explore the five best worldwide holiday destinations that are ideal for visiting with babies and toddlers. From magical theme parks to relaxing beach resorts, these destinations offer a perfect blend of family-friendly attractions and amenities.

Orlando, Florida, USA: The Ultimate Theme Park Experience

Orlando is often referred to as the "Theme Park Capital of the World," and for good reason. With world-renowned attractions like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando, it is a dream destination for families with young children. These theme parks offer a wide range of age-appropriate rides, shows, and interactive experiences that will leave your little ones in awe. Additionally, Orlando boasts numerous family-friendly resorts and hotels that provide amenities such as play areas, swimming pools, and childcare services.

Costa del Sol, Spain: Sun, Sand, and Family Fun

The Costa del Sol, located along the southern coast of Spain, is a paradise for families seeking sun, sand, and relaxation. With its beautiful beaches and warm weather, it offers the perfect backdrop for a memorable family vacation. The region also features family-friendly attractions such as the Bioparc Fuengirola, Tivoli World amusement park, and the Sea Life Benalmadena aquarium. Moreover, there is a wide selection of resorts and holiday rentals that cater to families, providing amenities like kids' clubs, playgrounds, and babysitting services.

Tokyo, Japan: Where Tradition Meets Family Fun

Tokyo may not be the first destination that comes to mind when traveling with babies and toddlers, but it has emerged as a family-friendly city in recent years. The city offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, providing an enriching cultural experience for the entire family. Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Sanrio Puroland are some of the must-visit attractions that offer magical moments for young children. Additionally, Tokyo is home to beautiful parks like Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park, where kids can enjoy open spaces and playgrounds.

Gold Coast, Australia: Beaches, Theme Parks, and Wildlife Encounters

The Gold Coast in Australia is a dream destination for families with its pristine beaches, thrilling theme parks, and abundant wildlife. Families can enjoy the famous theme parks like Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, and SeaWorld, where kids can have unforgettable experiences. Moreover, the region offers opportunities to interact with native Australian wildlife at places like Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. With a variety of family-friendly accommodations available, including resorts and apartments, the Gold Coast ensures a comfortable and enjoyable stay for families.

Bali, Indonesia: Tropical Paradise for the Whole Family

Bali is a tropical paradise that appeals to families seeking a serene and exotic destination. The island offers stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage. Families can explore attractions such as the Bali Safari and Marine Park, Waterbom Bali Water Park, and enjoy leisurely walks through the picturesque rice terraces. Bali also boasts numerous family-friendly resorts and villas with amenities like kids' clubs, playgrounds, and babysitting services.
When planning a vacation with babies and toddlers, selecting the right holiday destination is crucial. The five worldwide holiday destinations mentioned above – Orlando, Costa del Sol, Tokyo, the Gold Coast, and Bali – offer the perfect combination of family-friendly attractions and amenities. From the enchantment of theme parks to the tranquillity of beautiful beaches, these destinations ensure a memorable trip for the whole family, including toddlers.
Contact us now at https://vdholiday.com/
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2023.06.09 11:52 nuraman00 The Beverly Hills 90210 Show Podcast: Kelly Tata Interview.

Joe E. Tata's daughter, Kelly, is a guest host. This aired in June 2021.
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E. Duke Vincent wanted Rosin to meet Joe.
Rosin said it was a great reading, and Tata was happy to be there.
Rosin and casting director Tony Shepherd told the director that they were hiring Mr. Tata. The director was shocked.
But they let it be more than that. They let him say things that mattered. They let him evolve.
Kelly didn't know it was fake, and ran onto the set. They had to yell "cut".
1) They wanted to show investors were needed, and that the Peach Pit was precarious.
2) After Rosin left the show at the end of season 5, he went on vacation. When he came back, he was reading a script for season 6, and he had a heart attack. He was 43.
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So that's why Rosin was involved with writing that scene.
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Rosin:
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2023.06.09 10:31 RavniTrappedInANovel Alchimia Rex [031] [The Big](Bonus)

Rick had expected that taking an entire tribe to Sinco would be slow. Who wouldn’t? It was a whole tiny village after all, one nearing a handful hundred.
But the Orcs, and by extension all the other maidens, had more than one surprise in store.
When the tribe had set off, they’d done so with a grand demolition. The moment everything of value had been picked up and packaged, the village was then torn to shreds by anyone willing to take part in the little destruction-derby.
Following this, the tribe would split up into hut-family units.
Every “family” would be made of one human and multiple maidens. The maiden with the highest standing within the family unit (almost always an Orc) would be in charge of carrying and protecting the human on their back. And the rest would handle the luggage and supplies that “family” unit would take with them.
And from there, they would break into a jogging pace that, to a human, would have been a dead sprint.
Rick had the distinct “honor” of being carried by Urtha since Monica’s job as the chief meant it was her job to be at the tip of the metaphorical spear. Meanwhile, Rick was left seated on a sort-of-backpack the tall Orc carried.
Kiara flew overhead with the handful of other flying maidens that’d been woken up from the boxes. Leaving Eva and Dia to carry their belongings. It left an unpleasant aftertaste in Rick’s gut.
The smirk Dia kept shooting his way as he petulantly crossed his arms and resigned himself to being glorified luggage. “I could at least be playing the drums to mark the pace or something. It’s not like we’re being subtle or quiet.”
“Humans have no place drawing attention where danger lurks,” Urtha said, the only one present that wasn’t even winded. “Less so the Father.”
“Some feral might think you are a cheesy snack.” Dia, huffing as she pushed herself, still giggled.
“The tribe is tense enough already.” The Orc shook her head. “We rarely bring this many weaklings with us.”
“One of many changes to come.” Rick held the sigh, mostly because he was holding on to the chair to keep from falling over. He didn’t want to think about it, but once they reached Sinco, things would get complicated.
They were effectively marching out, seeking to conquer a city. Whether it be through actual warfare or maneuvering, they weren’t sure just yet. They just knew that they were prepared for the former if the latter didn’t work out. The reports had come in: Sinco was not in a good place. The constant presence of highly aggressive ferals had been chipping away at their defenses.
The only hope the city held was that they would receive reinforcements from Aubria.
Rick would get there faster.
It was in these thoughts that he pondered throughout the day. The tribe traveled and rested too often to the Orc’s liking. There was much friction to be had, and the humans were guarded like the treasures the tribe considered them to be.
When night came, a singular large hut was made for the humans, and the maidens would sleep in rotations. There would be small songs and minor stories that were shared, small moments of comfort. But they were all held under the looming watchfulness of the tribe.
Because they were at their most vulnerable. One missed feral deciding to make a stand could mean a human getting hurt. Rick had to begrudgingly respect them for that. As much as he loathed being treated like some kind of porcelain doll, there was no room to question that the maidens were going the extra mile for everyone’s safety and survival.
Though they would sometimes go a bit overboard against the maidens that “slowed down the tribe”. His role mediating such disputes had become his main role throughout the following days.
One morning, as they were preparing to set out, he heard it.
It started with a scream, then a yelp, and then a rush.
By the time Rick realized what was going on, Monica was upon him. Drenched from head to toe and stinking of salt and seaweed. The massive maiden was looking at him with a smile that threatened to split her head in two.
“Rick!” She hovered over him, dripping water all over. “Come! Come!”
“Is everything alright?” He asked from the discomfort of the portable chair he was currently occupying.
“COME!” she insisted, hopping on her feet and skittishly looking back, aiming her ear in the direction she’d come from. “Quick!”
“The tribe is not heading that way.” Urtha pointed out.
Rick considered it for a second. “Are there any problems shifting course to travel nearer to the sea?”
“It is a bad idea. For many reasons.”
Her words brought nods from Eva and Dia, to which Rick could only respond with a shrug. “Ok, then we could call for a break for the day, give everyone a chance to properly unwind, and I’ll go with Monica.” He pointed over at the feline that was bouncing on her heels, just barely holding back from reaching out and yanking him into her wet embrace. “Seems like the chief is very excited about something.”
“I bet its food,” Eva said.
“Urtha?” Rick waited.
The Orc glanced over at the crowd. “We will set camp for the day. We cannot afford to lose any of the weaklings.”
That was as good as he could’ve hoped. Rick nodded and was immediately snatched by Monica’s fuzzy paw. The maiden picked him up, putting him over her shoulder and trotting through the shrubbery and trees with little regard for who might be following.
Rick got himself a face full of leaves, flinching and batting them away. “Hey, wait, the branches-”
The Sabretooth yanked him into her arms and broke into a full sprint. Dirt and rocks burst forth from where she stood as air whipped about them. Her fang-filled smile only grew. Monica’s eyes were only focused forward. Rick, meanwhile, was trying to avoid swallowing bugs. The insects that kept flying about appeared to prefer smacking against his face.
There was a moment of clarity, light, and blue.
And with a splash, he was underwater.
Rick made the mistake of gasping, swallowing sea-water, wildly flinging his arms to get himself to the surface. Monica yanked him out of the water, leaving him feeling like a half-drowned cat as he coughed and spat.
“LOOK!” she proclaimed, dropping him on the sandy beach as she hurried towards the crashing waves, kicking at them and sending sprays of foam high into the air. “Rick! BIG!” She waved wildly, rushing her way into the water, then back out.
“That’s the sea.”
“Monica see!” With wide arms, she tried to point at all of it at once.
“No, it’s a new word. Sounds similar.” He combed his hair out of his face with his hands, removing his shirt. “Sea. S-E-A. Big, wet, and salty.”
“BIG WET!” Monica was cheering and splashing, kicking her way up and down the shore, jumping into the waves and coming out a dozen meters away and then making her way back to the shore.
“It’s the sea.” He couldn’t help but smile, watching as she slapped the water with her huge paws, creating a billowing tower of water and foam to rise at least a dozen meters into the air.
He put the low-end terrifying notion of how much force was packed into that strike and kept an easy-going smile.
“It’s the ocean.” The voice called from above, Kiara leisurely drifting down and sitting next to him. “Too far away from anything or anyone. Few ships go through here.”
“So chock-full of dangerous ferals?”
“Just like everywhere else.” Her eyes weren’t on Monica. The Succubus’ gaze appeared more focused on trailing the waves as they crashed into the shore. “Likely they’ve been scared off, though. The rush must have eaten everything available near the shore.”
Rick looked at the waves, then at her. “How can you tell?”
“There’s nothing in the waves.” She pointed. “Usually there’s at least the odd Sprite.”
“Maybe Monica scared them off.”
“Doubtful.” Kiara shook her head, turning to eye him with a slight smirk. “You’re drenched. Maybe you’d want to take your clothes off?” Her gaze trailed over him in a distinctly predatory way.
“You’re hungry, huh?”
She leaned closer, hand reaching over to caress his shoulder. “Maybe a little more than that…” Gold eyes locked to his, her hand gently pushing his back into the sand, the Succubus moving in closer so that she could pin him down.
Rick grinned. “Careful with the splash.”
The momentary confusion turned to shock and horror as she was yanked away and flung into the sea. Monica stared with ample amount of self-satisfaction as the Succubus swore and sank into the waves. “No horny time.” The feline declared, looking at Rick with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
“I understand.” He raised his hands, playing the role of innocent bystander.
“Play time.”
His eyes widened with concern. Uh oh.
She reached down, pulling him up by the shirt. “Rick train swim.”
“I know how to swim.” He quickly proclaimed, grabbing hold of her claws as her arm tensed. “BUT!”
Monica hesitated, looking at the water, then at him with narrowed eyes. “But?”
“Don’t throw me like you did Kiara or I will break,” he said, quickly relaxing a little as he pointed up into the air. “Throw me a little up. Gently, into the water.”
She eyed him for a moment, and with a flick of her tail, caught a stone. “Like this?” She grasped the rock and gently tossed it into a high arch that fell into the sea with a little plop.
“Yeah, just like-AAAAAHHHH!!!”
He was flying, body spinning in the air as gravity quickly lay claim. Rick did the only thing he could think of, curling into a ball, drawing breath, and plunge. He was underwater in the next instant, bubbles and light, with the sandy bottom still within sight.
It was down there that he spotted Kiara looking up at him with a smirk, a bubble wrapping her head. The conspicuously naked Succubus used her wings to swim up at him, catching him in her grasp and pulling him down.
Rick clutched his mouth, trying to keep his breath.
Kiara’s amusement was apparent as she held him by the shirt, looking at him with a mischievous twinkle. The iron grip remained, and he could see what her plan was, so he leaned into her, breaking the surface of the bubble with his face.
The breath was cut short with the kiss.
Then she shoved him away, waving off and winking as she swam further away from the shore. The speed she was moving with clearly was one not meant for him to follow, so Rick didn’t, going up to the surface.
Monica was waiting for him, excitedly grinning from ear to ear.
“Again!” he declared the moment he stepped on the sand. “But this time not from the shirt or it might rip.”
By the time others were reaching the beach, the duo had figured out a way to make the launch procedure safer… ish. Mostly in that the victim of choice would stand on Monica’s palm and curl into a cannonball, so that she could then throw.
And the maiden had quite the throwing arm.
The couple of Goblins that showed up excitedly joined in. Then came the Orcs, Mousegirls, and Doggirls, and by the time Urtha had shown her face, the various tribe members had a line of eager volunteers to be thrown into the sea. While the Orcs were competing with one another to see who could get their cargo the furthest from the shore.
Dia caught sight of the glare before Rick could even speak up. “I’ve set up a rotation of guards with the ones keeping watch over the tribe,” the healer proclaimed. “And the water maidens are working as lookouts.”
“Do you think that would placate me?”
“Do you want to play in the launch games?” Rick asked, giving Dia a warning look. “I bet you’d give Monica a run for her money.”
“She is stronger.” Urtha spoke after just a moment of observation, shaking her head. “I would need to wait for her to tire.”
He looked at the Orc as she remained near them, but didn’t sit. He could almost taste the tension within her, that knot of uncertainty. “Would you like to build a sand castle, then?”
“A castle of sand?”
“Exactly that.” Rick sat up. “Just wet sand and more sand, and make a castle with it.”
Urtha’s thick brows furrowed. “That… sounds childish.”
He shrugged. “Sand is fragile and crumbles easily if mishandled. Consider it a test of skill.” A sly smile followed. “Or are you scared a little human will be better at it than you?”
With a scoff, she stomped her foot once. “Show me.”
“I’ll join in!” Dia said. “It’s been a while since I’ve played mud-walls.”
“The what now?”
“It’s a game we healers played when little helped give us finer control over our power.” She crouched down, grabbing a handful of wet sand and proceeding to carefully lay it down in the shape of a very thin tube. A tube no thicker than a straw, and tall enough to reach her knee. “The trick is in pushing the water away at the right time.”
Rick and Urtha shared a worried glance.
Two hours later, things had escalated… a little.
It turned out that the Orc’s ability to make wood nearly as tough as steel could be applied to sand to just enough of a degree that Urtha had made a box tower about two meters on the side and five tall. Rick, working with a knife, carved out details on the tower.
Mostly windows and bricks.
Dia, on the other hand, had built a miniature replica of the fortified city of Balet. Devoid of any details, the city was a configuration of boxes roughly knee height.
It was when some maidens that had tired of the Monica-Launcher™ had gathered to watch that things escalated. With Mousegirls quickly getting recruited by Dia so that they could turn the sand boxes into detailed houses, and Urtha recruiting other Orcs so that they could put together a second tower.
Somewhere along the way, Sheel had shown up to set up an impromptu grill service.
Rick got his fill as he watched the competition unfold, recovering his energy and feeling exhausted in a good way. He caught sight of Kiara emerging from the sea, sans clothes. The Succubus took one look at the gathering, and eventually locked on to him.
The alluring blue-haired Succubus shifted her walk, tucking away tiredness and presenting only assuredness and grace. Her ample hips swayed with a mesmerizing rhythm, tail punctuating every step with a flick. The maiden made a show of pushing her sky-blue hair over her shoulder, presenting her bare chest for him to drink in.
There was a twinkle of enjoyment in her golden eyes when his gaze locked on to her body. A sly smile played on her lips, seductive and coy.
As she reached him, the succubus knelt down and whispered in his ear, her voice soft and alluring. “Is this spot taken?”
Rick felt his throat dry, and he coughed a little. “Sure.”
Kiara grinned wider, taking his lap, tail reaching under his shirt to caress his chest. “It is very comfortable.” She punctuated her words by grinding against herself against his crotch a little. “You seem thrilled to see me.”
He wrapped his hands around her midriff, pulling her against his chest, ignoring the slight discomfort of her wings. “Be warned that Monica is looking our way,” he whispered. “Engage and you will get launched. She’s gotten great at it.”
The tail twitched. “Noted.” Her tone was begrudging. “I meant to ask, are you familiar with… this? The sea? The ocean? The depths?”
“I’ve been on my fair share of boats, and went diving in a reef once.” He admitted freely. “And I’ve flown over the clouds in one of the most boring technological marvel my world built.” A little chuckle followed. “But I think you were meaning to lead this somewhere else?”
Kiara shifted, staring over her shoulder for a moment. “I’d like to hear more about your world sometime.” Her voice held an edge of hesitation to it, and Rick had the distinct impression she was trying to hold something back. “But yes, I was meaning to lead the conversation to this.”
The tone was gone; the look was gone, replaced by smug satisfaction as she held up a blue gemstone. The object was the size of a pearl and a deep, glimmering blue.
“An impure elemental stone.” The Succubus declared. “Take it.”
Rick obliged, lifting it to get a better look. Light wavered and refracted within the sphere, adding a shimmer that made it look as if there was a tiny sea contained within. Twisting and shifting the stone did not make the illusion of change, making the little sphere appear like a looking-glass of some sort.
The refracted light swayed and shifted against his palm like an aurora.
“It’s… this is really impressive.” He declared after a moment, glancing back at her.
“I stumbled onto this while looking for something else. It has some minor value, but is mostly useless since it has a very low purity.” She shrugged her lithe shoulders, trailing his jaw with her sharp nail. “Consider it compensation.”
He frowned a little. “Compensation for what?”
She shrugged, beating her wings once and hopping on to her feet. “I will go get myself a change of clothes and a snack.” She turned to leave. “You’re more than welcome to join.”
Rick could only chuckle. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m exhausted right now.”
“Have it your way.” The maiden vanished into the thicket, sauntering off to the tribe. “If you’ve got nothing better to do, pay some attention to the little leech. Wouldn’t want her to feel neglected, now would we?”
Where had that come from? Rick watched her go, taking a moment to stand up and check that the little get-together was going nowhere. From there, he turned his focus inwards and sought the bond to Eva. It was tougher than he’d expected, especially with the noise from all the other bonds trying to drown out everything.
He found her sitting on a rock, at the very edge of the sandy shore, staring off at the setting sun. The maiden had her knees tucked against her chest, body covered under her black cape, only her red eyes and pale face exposed to the sunlight.
She noticed his approach, but didn’t react.
Rick took a spot next to her, not quite within arm’s reach. “You’ve avoided talking with me. Anything I should worry about?” His question caused the intended result. Eva looked at him with wide eyes. “Don’t look at me like that. I know you don’t like small-talk, and this is just about the most important subject I could think of.”
The Fledgling turned away. “True.” She acknowledged. “I cannot answer your question, sir.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Can’t.” She hugged her knees, turning away and towards the horizon.
Was she hesitating to take a stance, or was she unsure of what stance to take to begin with? Rick nodded a little. “If it’s any consolation, it’s weird for me, too.” He lay back on the stone, looking at the orange clouds above. “Especially with how stiff you’re acting.”
“The Wildling-King calls me his property, and then complains he is treated with the due formalities?” Eva glared.
“Point taken.” Rick sighed. “I just expected that you’d learn from the others.”
“I cannot compare myself to the monster that is Monica or Kiara, nor consider myself to hold a fraction of the trust you give Dia,” she summarized. “I am a Fledgling. Anywhere within the kingdom, a slip of the tongue, a mistake, or a perceived fault would earn me severe punishment.” The maiden glowered, then sighed. “I myself have given such for less.”
“So you don’t know what to expect from me, but will avoid talking with me about those expectations.”
The glare intensified. “I would trust you of all would understand the matter is not that simple.”
“You’re not calling me sir.” He replied with an arched brow, watching her flinch. “I don’t want to insult your intelligence, but it seems like you’re intentionally running on a groundless hypothesis. So my question would be, why have you kept at it?”
She deflated with a sigh. “I don’t know.”
Rick reached out, ruffling her hair. “Well, while you think about it, how about spending some actual time together with the others? Brooding didn’t get you the answer you were looking for, so how about trying to change the pace a little?”
The glare intensified. “I was not brooding. What do you take me for? I am older than you! I was the head of a noble house of great prestige!” She shot to her feet, glaring, lips curling into a snarl.
Rick stepped closer, directly into her personal space. “Evangeline.” He declared, his tone holding only the barest edge to it.
The Fledgling flinched, looking away, hands hiding under her cape. “You are right.” She spoke, deflating. “I… am Evangeline now.”
She moved to kneel, to lower herself, but his hand on her chin held her in place. He raised her gaze so that they would meet eyes. “The only line you stepped over was baring your fangs at me. Nothing else.”
He wanted to step away, to turn around and go to the beach with the others. But something else held him in place as he looked down to those ruby red eyes, the way she trembled against his palm, how she inhaled deeply and her eyelids fluttered. The maiden leaned into his touch, taking a hesitant step closer.
“Th-this…” Eva stammered, swallowing.
Rick leaned closer. “This is your chance to step away.”
She didn’t.
The Fledgling followed the gentle tug of his palm, raising herself to her tiptoes, leaning into the kiss. She froze, opening her mouth a little and scratching his lips with her fangs in hunger. They pierced, only enough to draw a drop of blood, only enough to make him flinch.
Eva recoiled, eyes wild, face beet read. “I, no, I-… This isn’t…”
The maiden vanished into the shadows before he could say anything. He could sense her quickly making an escape through the darkness. The human was left mostly amused at the reaction, chuckling as he took the long way back to the others.
He could understand why Kiara found entertainment out of teasing the Fledgling. Idly, he wondered if they could exchange some notes.
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Hello, I'm back, kinda.
Things have been a monumental mess over on my end. Lots of things happened over the past couple months.
I'll be clear: Reddit isn't a convenient place to post stories. Yes, there's a community, but the website is very clearly designed for other kinds of content creators. Story writing is more of a "Despite" thing. Combined with the upcoming policy changes (what with the site being sold off and wanting to coerce users into their App, at the cost of all else), I don't think I'll be sticking around.
The story will continue being regularly posted over at Royalroad and Scribblehub.
There's practically a full volume already posted over there. Seriously, as a writer I can't stress enough just how monumentally important the post-scheduler is for me. My life is far too chaotic and sometimes I spend weeks without time or energy to prepare the posts, and then just dump 15 of them into the auto-loader.
I will try to get the next full volume (up to chapter... 62?) posted here throughout the next couple weeks, and unless something changes, I'll mostly stick to those other sites from there onward.
See you guys around, and thanks for sticking this long with the story.
[First]
[Standard Patreon Link].
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2023.06.09 09:04 No_Beginning_2247 Anybody else feeling very sad after the movie?

Ever since I walked out the theater there has been a lingering sadness. I don’t know if that is because the movie was so immersive going back to the real world was depressing. I don’t know if that’s because it was one of the best movies I have ever seen and I am sad I won’t experience another like it. Or honestly it could be my jealously of miles and Gwen’s romance. Is anyone else feeling this sadness? I would love to talk to people who are feeling the same. It’s been 5 days since I’ve seen the movie.
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2023.06.09 09:03 No_Beginning_2247 Anyone else feeling very sad after the movie?

Ever since I walked out the theater there has been a lingering sadness. I don’t know if that is because the movie was so immersive going back to the real world was depressing. I don’t know if that’s because it was one of the best movies I have ever seen and I am sad I won’t experience another like it. Or honestly it could be my jealously of miles and Gwen’s romance. Is anyone else feeling this sadness? I would love to talk to people who are feeling the same. It’s been 5 days since I’ve seen the movie.
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2023.06.09 08:43 David-From-Stone It’s been six years.

In 2017 my brother committed suicide. He walked onto the tracks and allowed a freight train to take his life. If I think about it for more than a passing moment, I lose myself. I forget all order in my life and experience chaotic and swirling emotions.
Recently, I’ve decided that enough time has passed and I opened a small lockbox that he put little life things in. Movie and concert tickets, prom bracelet, old high school notes between crushes and friends, birth certificate, etc. underneath that were pictures of mostly himself when he was around 5 and younger. The last picture was one of him and I sleeping together on a little twin sized bed. At the very bottom of the box was a single sheet of paper folded once, horizontally. His signature was placed in the corner. After I read it I had uncontrollable tears run from my eyes for about an hour. I just miss him so much.
If anyone can relate I would appreciate hearing how you get through the day. Some days it’s like I’m walking through life at the bottom of the ocean.
submitted by David-From-Stone to CPTSD [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 08:24 bucketsofpoo Manly or Bondi to rent?

Currently live in the inner west.
I go surfing a lot and have a dog. Generally I surf at Tamaramma as the waves are good. But I also go to Whale Beach , Curl Curl and Manly.
Every summer I resent not living by the ocean. Like I get over there for the early 3 times a week but in the evening. I can't be bothered to beat the traffic to have a dip and go for a walk.
Bondi is closer to family but doesn't seem as friendly. It's not as dog friendly.
Also it's totally new to me. the harbour beaches and the surf. Bitch to get back to the inner west. It seems more chill and has that great dog park on the lagoon. Seems to have a total holiday vibe. Also its totally new to me.
Im 41. Single and living off passive income. I no longer work other than an hour or 2 a day.
Where would you live out of those 2.
submitted by bucketsofpoo to sydney [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 07:07 Exciting-Bumblebee37 Did I miss a sign?

So I am a M(18) and recently went to the movie theaters with this W(18) we watched the new Spider-Man movie and when we went to buy the tickets for seating she picked the ones all the way to the back of the theater in a spot where if the projectionist where to look down they couldn’t see us but I didn’t think anything of it at the time the theater was practically empty and she didn’t seem very responsive to my banter over how cool it was to see all the spidermen and women come together keep in mind I drove 2 hours to see her so I thought she would want to talk allot more then we did and I know it is the movie theaters so it’s not the place to have huge conversations but I at least expected her to make a remark or two over the movie but instead she shook it off like I wasn’t talking to her at the end of the movie I stayed inside the theater waiting for a post credit scene and she got up and left when I finally got up (There was no post credit scene) and walked out the theater to take her home she seemed visibly upset or at the least disappointed did I miss a sign did she want more from this movie night? she ended up texting me later that night saying “hey I hope you enjoyed your bday n I just wanted to say I don't feel like anythings gonna happen between us like that. it was fun getting to know you tho but I think we should stop things here”
submitted by Exciting-Bumblebee37 to dating_advice [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 06:28 FollowerOfD1onysus A poem I wrote for my grandpa

Hey everyone,
My grandpa just passed away on Wednesday, and I’m still feeling a bit stunned. Things feel strange and surreal. I’m not really sure how to grieve, or process things… but I wrote this poem for him, and I just thought I’d share it with you:
——
Hi thatha. I’ve been thinking of you lately. The memories are sweet, like warm gulab jamun with ice cream, or maybe like the chikoo fruits that grew outside that house you watched them build from the ground up, where you watched me grow up, with that coconut tree suspended above the balcony, and the kind watchman who would walk through the garden picking flowers with me.
Remember that time we played soccer with a stray coconut that landed on your rooftop? And then, we took the coconut to paati, who cracked it open, only to find that there was nothing inside. Ah, well, that’s alright. At least we tried.
And I still remember that day we went to the beach. That ocean water was so pure and clean it was practically crystalline. I still remember the ripples. What a magical place, so beautiful it felt fictional.
Let’s go there again someday, just you and me, to that enchanted forest right by the sea, and there, beneath the sun-streaked sky, let’s sit a while, just you and I, and I will tell you everything.
submitted by FollowerOfD1onysus to GriefSupport [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 06:13 Insatiabledoobie About Meh.

Hi. I’m Jazzy. I’m as of right now 33, F and African American. I wish I spoke creole or French but my parents didn’t come from that line of Africans lol so I’m just the regular one language gal. I’m a natural born Floridian, but that is no longer my place of residence. If you stalk my earlier posts, you’ll see that. I like holding hands and long walks on the beach - just kidding, I’ve held hands maybe a couple times with a potential lover but not on the beach. Also I tend to fall on my ass while walking on sand. There’s not much I have going on, I’m pretty boring in my everyday life, I work two jobs, both I love. I have like two friends but most times it’s just me and my thoughts. If I weren’t so used to it, I’d probably go crazy. So what do I do on my time off? Sleep. Lol I’m always tired and I do have low iron. So if you’re ever down for nap dates or sleepy talk, I can’t think of a better partner then myself. I’m a lover of cartoons and I don’t mean anime. Certified Disney whore, so if you love to watch those kinds of movies with me, you just got major points, friend. I sing randomly sometimes, but I have massive stage fright so don’t ask me to do it, just let it happen. I’m allergic to cats, they’re adorable but bad for me. I also love dogs to but even some of those mess me up. So, I’m sorry to all the cat daddies out there. I’m sure your sassy kitty is the best. I can’t always promise a great conversation or a great mood, but I’d just love someone to talk to. We don’t have to be attracted to one another but I’m not against a deeper connection. I just want someone who doesn’t mind being there, reaching out, listening to me. TALKING. I love listening so, you’ll always be heard. I wanna hear a voice too. So again, it’s okay if this isn’t you. But thanks for reading. Down to send a voice note if you’re ever interested.
submitted by Insatiabledoobie to u/Insatiabledoobie [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 05:49 jdogamerica 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Hopes to Dissociate Itself From the Franchise Bay-ham - Ticket Sales Tracking (6/5-6/8)

'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Hopes to Dissociate Itself From the Franchise Bay-ham - Ticket Sales Tracking (6/5-6/8)
Hi,
I've been tracking ticket sales for movies recently at my two local NJ AMCs that do fairly well.
Last week, my Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse tracking got me to a Thurs total of $20.78 mil and Fri total of $47.04 mil for a Thurs+Fri total of $67.82M. As expected, both Thursday and Friday actuals were a bit below my predictions for what was still a stellar, breakout opening day. Thankfully, things were much better for The Boogeyman as actuals came in vastly over my Thursday and Friday predictions of $.345M and Fri total of $2.59M for a Pre+Thurs+Fri total of $3.19M. As we start to get deep into the Summer season, it is always great to see films big and small stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Coming out of franchise hiatus, it's time to roll out to theaters this week with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. 6 years after the last Bay installment and 5 years after the last film in the franchise, the Autobots are back. With such a long break and no Michael Bay at the helm, it will be a true IP test to see if the audience comes back out. Given the walk-up nature of the franchise and prime June date, we will be using Jurassic World Dominion as a comp. I have recorded ticket sales for this Thursday and Friday for 3 Days. The green bars are how much ticket sales increased from day to day.
https://preview.redd.it/hmb0vof5lw4b1.png?width=2342&format=png&auto=webp&s=999a689cc6493d0c8423889a1782b582e32c77e2
Kicking off the weekend, the Transformers are back and more ready than ever. With a gradual growth throughout the week, sales for Thursday thankfully grew to a comfortable outing. For the raw Thursday, T:RotB is looking at $7.22M compared to JWD. Things to note: T:RotB had Wednesday previews of around $.5M, while JWD had no additional previews. With a budget of $200M, a studio would be hoping for me. Yet, as part of a franchise on the edge of extinction, this feels like an initial sigh of relief. Currently, T:RotB has a theater capacity of M: 7.02% and EH: 10.16%. As expected from a smaller franchise, T:RotB lags behind JWD's capacities of M: 11.34% and EH: 24.43%. While the numbers may be behind JWD, T:RotB's numbers feel strong enough in this over-saturated action marketplace.
https://preview.redd.it/4y92a4rgtw4b1.png?width=2332&format=png&auto=webp&s=eafd7d8753eb2de69c880b08fa9c93fee838ef32
After a robust Thursday, Friday is looking to slow things down...for now. While sales were not strong in the early week, activity has luckily picked up in the last day. Hopefully, it's not too late. For its opening day, T:RotB is aiming towards $11.94M compared to T:RotB. Sadly, this is more in line of expectations for the seventh outing of a once ginormous franchise. As of today, T:RotB has a theater capacity of M: 6.58% and EH: 11.40%. Like Thursday, T:RotB is pacing behind JWD's capacities of M: 14.95% and EH: 29.07%. While the smaller capacity is not surprising, it is possibly a sign of a smaller turnout incoming. Granted, Thursday had a strong walk-up growth, so don't be surprised if Optimus Prime brings out more recruits.
Overall, this will bring Transformers: Rise of the Beasts to a Wed+Th+F opening of $19.66M. For a franchise entry that has to overcome poor WOM and a generational audience gap, this is a...decent outing. Just don't look at the $200M budget, for now. If these numbers stick, we are looking at an opening weekend of around $43M. With what looks like a walk-up heavy title and positive WOM, Paramount can only hope that Transformers not only grows throughout the weekend, but breaks out in an already loud marketplace.
I have taken some suggestions to help make this post better. Please comment if you have anymore!
TL;DR:
Previews: $.5M
Thursday: $7.22M
Friday: $11.94M - expect higher
Opening Day: $19.66M
submitted by jdogamerica to boxoffice [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 05:24 Stelljanin Suggestions for a 19-day roadtrip in North West USA?

Hi all,
I'm from Australia (23 F) and my parents and I have booked return flights to Seattle. We're not interested in LA or SF, so Seattle seemed like a great option for its proximity to nature/mountains/Canada. We'll be there for 21 days, two of those are getting to/from airport. So 19 days of actual on-the-road sight seeing. Parents have been to USA before, I haven't.
We're heading over in August, and we're planning on hiring a car and doing a road trip. While we also want to check Washington (the state) out, we are also interested in seeing Vancouvesurrounding areas and Montana or Wyoming for the national parks there.
Some things we like:
Things we don't like:
Anyway my main question is... what would you suggest for a 19-day road trip in the north west that somewhat pertains to the above? Any cute picturesque towns you would recommend, or nice nature related stuff? Do national park permits get booked out quite in advance? Should I be worried about bears?!?!
Olympic National Park looks awesome, but so do the national parks in Montana/Wyoming. We've got a fair bit of time and are used to driving long distances.
Thanks all!
submitted by Stelljanin to travel [link] [comments]

2023.06.09 05:23 Stelljanin Suggestions for a 19-day road trip in the north west?

Hi all,
I'm from Australia (23 F) and my parents and I have booked return flights to Seattle. We're not interested in LA or SF, so Seattle seemed like a great option for its proximity to nature/mountains/Canada. We'll be there for 21 days, two of those are getting to/from airport. So 19 days of actual on-the-road sight seeing. Parents have been to USA before, I haven't.
We're heading over in August, and we're planning on hiring a car and doing a road trip. While we also want to check Washington (the state) out, we are also interested in seeing Vancouvesurrounding areas and Montana or Wyoming for the national parks there.
Some things we like:
Things we don't like:
Anyway my main question is... what would you suggest for a 19-day road trip in the north west that somewhat pertains to the above? Any cute picturesque towns you would recommend, or nice nature related stuff? Do national park permits get booked out quite in advance? Should I be worried about bears?!?!
Olympic National Park looks awesome, but so do the national parks in Montana/Wyoming. We've got a fair bit of time and are used to driving long distances.
Thanks all!
submitted by Stelljanin to usatravel [link] [comments]