It’s been almost three weeks and I’ve just been feeling the distance from him and I don’t feel the love from him or so called love from him like when we first met, which I think that is phase and I think he is at the discarding. He only thinks for him self and what he wants to do and plans his day like his family does not exist. He has every day been finding something about my daughter to get her in trouble and won’t stop nagging to a point i just feel he does not like her. Again he sleeps with the dog and it’s like I’m Not even next to him in bed cause he will push me to give room for the dog on the bed. I am feeling more lonely then I was before and im feeling evny other men who care for their spouse and im feeling I want to start going back to dating again. Is this wrong of me to feel😕 and it’s like we only say one word to each other when we get home from work because he wants to just eat and go to sleep and then go leave for work at 4am and wake up at 3am to get out of the house. I am just waiting for the day he just discards me so it will make it easy to Leave.

I doubt this will get read on the podcast, but I have no other idea as to how I can get any perspective from this. Be that as it may, here is my current situation. My wife and I moved into our first big, real home. It was built in the 60s and has maintained its allure and feel. With some updates and upgrades, this house was the one we wanted from the get go.
I work on the weekends and she’s a nurse who works as much as she can. Along with a 7 month old and two other kids, we make sure we run a tight ship. That means we have the blink cameras all over the perimeter. Remember how I said that our house was built in the 60s? Well, the original wood has stood the test of time, which means the floors are magnificent, but do creak when we walk on them.
Anyway, whenever my wife or I are upstairs, we can always tell when someone is awake. Whether it’s to get up or move around, we can hear floor creak. Audibly. The past few nights have been different though. At random times, I or my wife will hear what sounds like actual foot steps in our bedroom. As if someone was walking from one side to the other. The odd part is that when I am home alone, I hear it a lot. So when I do, I walk upstairs and of course, there is nothing there.
The reason why it’s getting more odd and why I’m posting this now, is that my wife and baby are asleep up there now. The dog is with me and I’m down stairs gaming. My wife is snoring asleep and the baby is in La la land with his mommy. However, I keep hearing the steps going across the floor and making the floor creak.
I am not some paranormal expert, nor do I have any idea what it could be. But all I can say is that I’m a tad freaked out and so is my wife. If there any updates, I’ll be sure to post it here soon.

My younger sister (50) has visited us every year in the summer with my nephew who is now 17. Over the years she generally stays 1.5-2 weeks and rarely lifts a finger to help, and never offers to cook/pay for take out etc. She basically treats it like a B&B.
Because she scheduled her trip this year without checking with me, she scheduled over 4 days when we were actually out of town. (She visits my Dad as well). We had a dog sitter staying overnight while we were gone, so I said they’d have to take over the dog sitting, which she was NOT happy about.
When we get home we see she has pulled the mattress and box springs off the bed she sleeps in and moved it to another room on the floor because the other room is ‘too bright.’ Also the thermostat was set way low, and when my husband turned off the A/C (it is 71 in the house and dropping to 59 degrees tonight outside) she starts texting me about it being hot, and can I turn on the a/c. (She always changes the thermostat to what she wants when she visits).
AITA for thinking I should suggest she get a hotel room from here on out? How far do you go to please a houseguest?

11PM. There was a dog that got loose from my neighbors place(they only way to get there was to walk all the way around my complex, which would take around 7 minutes) and the dog was running around barking at people and runnin up on them. Me and my roommate were drunk trying to her ahold of the dog in time so the owners could come out and wed be like (AYO GET YO MF DOG) but they weren't coming out. So my roommate grabbed his BRIGHT ass flashlight and started beaming tf out their windows for atleast 20 mins until they came out and when they did my drunk ass started trynna pick a fight with them and my roomate kept trynna tell me to stfu but i was willing to fight these mfs cuz who tf lets their dog run ramped this late at night. They kept apologizing and said she wouldn't hurt no one but i know there's people who be walkin they dogs or even kids who just go outside round here. FUCK THEM FOR NOT TAKIN CARE OF THEY DOG.(this is also not the first time this has happened they have a barbed wire fence so our only resort was blind their house with a bright ass flashlight.)

I vaguely remember this SCP article it talks about the 05 council and how they all eventually died. Its not orobourus cycle though. I remember it talking about how one of the members got turned into a dog and another might have been from the future at the end I think it’s implied the person reading and walking around the house dies. Any help would be welcome thanks

To start, this isn't something we've wanted to consider ever and this is a long one. We adopted the cutest, sweetest little 8 week old pit/dalmatian mix in 2018. He quickly became best friends with our dog and many of our friend's dogs as well as our cats. We trained him and he was literally perfect. We lost our original dog due to lifelong health issues she had (we spent more than $20k during her 6 year life span to keep her alive and healthy due to health issues she had from birth) and adopted another puppy shortly after as our pit was lonely. Everything was still normal with no issues, kept up with his training and socializing as we ALWAYS have people over and they often bring their dogs. Fast forward to the end of 2021, our other dog sustained and injury and subsequent infection which led to a leg being amputated. Everything was fine after until it wasn't. About 2 months in, our pit began to show aggression toward our amputee dog. We contacted trainers and tried to solve the issue with behavioral training and modified how we handled certain situations per the trainer's advice. The trainer was sure it was a prey mentality due to the other dog being considered "weak". During this time period the aggression became worse and our put began attacking our other dog. Not just a quick nip, he would violently attack and not let go. The first attack our trainer thought could have been food related as it happened after the grill was used. So we removed food from the situation, however that didn't solve anything and it's just escalated since which has led to both my husband and I being injured during an unprovoked and unexpected attack. No training has helped and we've resorted to keeping both dogs separated at all times because now my pit will attack whenever given the opportunity. He clearly sees red and doesn't acknowledge anything or anyone around him and just focuses on attacking our other dog. His aggression has escalated from just our other dog to any new dog that he hadn't met prior to the first attack (something clearly just clicked in his brain and he's not the same) and were now no longer able to even take him for walks because a few months ago he randomly tried to attack people while we're walking him and we haven't taken him back out since. Thankfully he was never able to attack, but he sure tried. He had never been human aggressive until that particular walk. He's fine when people come in my house, but clearly not outside of it. Our vet has pretty much told us our best option would be euthanasia, but I'm having a very difficult time making this decision as when he's not around our other dog or on a walk he's so sweet still. I also just found out I'm pregnant and can't see myself putting our child at risk in the future. I feel like I've failed as a pet owner and haven't tried everything I could but I just don't know what I'm missing. No one I know has ever been in a similar situation and I just feel judged because my friends don't understand and see him as this cute, sweet dog because they haven't been around during his attacks and don't live with the daily anxiety of making sure the dogs remain separated for their safety and ours. I'm always afraid the wrong door will be opened when people are over and another attack will happen and I feel like no one understands and I'm just being judged for thinking of this possibility. I don't feel like it's fair to either dog due to the constant separation and I definitely don't find it fair to my pit because the only way he can get his energy out is to run around the backyard since walks aren't happening anymore as it's too dangerous and I'd never put anyone else in harms way. Also I should add that our other dog has shown no signs of aggression even after being attacked.

Hello! We're based in Southern California and have an 8 y/o, 60lb female Greyhound who began throwing up around 2pm today. This is highly irregular for her, so we checked to make absolutely sure she hadn't ingested anything toxic or poisonous (which she hadn't) and also checked her over to ensure she hadn't been bit by anything crawling around the house (which again, she hadn't). She had mostly stopped vomiting, but she threw up water every time she drank it, so I decided to give her 32mg (two 16oz tablets) of Cerenia that I had on hand which was prescribed for one of my other Greyhounds. After I administered the Cerenia, she began to act more and more lethargic and uncoordinated. Approximately two hours after administration, she was mildly uncoordinated, drowsy, and had a muscle spasm in her back leg. Everything regarding side-effects in this medication suggests that these are all caused by the Cerenia itself. As a note, this was her first time taking this medication - however she was only given 32mg when the recommended dose for a dog of her size/weight was 60mg. She is currently drinking and holding down water and a few bites of gently cooked food, but she's still extremely drowsy. She has color in her gums, pupils that dilate, and is no longer experiencing muscle spasms, but she seems to be very "drugged out" for lack of a better word. Sedated almost. So I wanted to know if there's anything we can give her to help counteract the effects of the medication, or if we need to just let her ride it out. Thank you!

Hello everyone, I think I might be in that kind of relationship where the first year is great and now after that here comes her true nature (manipulative, controlling, abusive).
First, I think she has an anger issue (she said she was abused physically by her dad when she was a child), then the first thought comes to my mind when she was mad at me is she need a target to burst his emotional which is me. She never getting mad at her friends like she did to me.
and Second from her Mother is literally just like her, her mother will easily get annoyed.
She would throw tantrum if her wish is not fulfilled like I didnt get a haircut or not following his simple wish (I didnt want to regularly fulfill her wish because i dont want to be controlled by her).
When she gets mad, she will blocked me, so I tried to reach her out by seeking forgiveness on other chating app, and often I come to her house. But she still mad and self-centered egoistic, i feel like she wont forgive me unless I'm begging, like literally begging for a forgiveness to please her ego. When i decided not to reach her then she unblocked one my my account and calls me hours later and she said "Why wouldnt you reach me?!", and I said "I'm giving you time to calm yourself", then she will getting mad again because "im not reaching her", how would I supposed to reach her if she blocked all my account?
She sometimes throw verbal abuses when I do small mistakes like "fuck you" "you're a dog/ugly/stupid" "kill me" and etc.
We've been saving money every weekend, She is very mad at me when she found out I bought $20 board games (with my own money ofc), she said that my behaviour is childish and it waste of money.
She always said let's break up, I sometimes said yes and in the end she calls me asking like "Why would you break me up? why is there no effort?" and the fight goes on until I apologize again.
Meanwhile when I said let's breaking up , she's agree too but she calls me again and asking "Is this what you want the whole time?" and we fighting agsin, and in the end I always apologize and we're back in relationship.
One day, I'm sick of what she's been saying to me and I wont give in anymore to her, I will stand up for myself to maintain my self-respect, and doesnt care anymore of what she said to me, I don't love her anymore but I still in this kind of relationship which trust and freedom doesnt work anymore.
I believe she couldn't let me go because I always help her with all of her problems, She is the type of person who will make you grief/make you feel wrong, eventhough you didn't do anything wrong.
How should I end this relationship?
TL;DR Im in a toxic manipulative relationship and want to end my relationship with my GF.

one of my employees lives with his Aunt as a result of his mother having a stroke several years ago. His Aunt took full control of his mother and basically required him to move in and care for his mother. (something he feels he has a moral responsibility to do). However, his aunt is a bitch. she treats him as a personal slave and forces him to often miss work because the lawn isn't cut, her dogs haven't been fed, she needs lumber to fix the deck she's too fat to walk on. She constantly plays mind games and restricts access to utilities like power, internet, etc to "teach him a lesson". What lesson you might ask? The lesson that it's her house and her rules. To be clear, he diligently does chores and regular upkeep for her. She makes things up so that he purposely will miss work. He has had issues at past jobs because they would simply fire him for showing up late. He has told me she really doesn't want him working, because that means she has to do everything herself when he is gone all day and takes out her fury on him when he gets home at night.
My questions are this:
Are there any tenant laws (even though he doesn't pay to stay there) that can help him avoid abuse?
Are there any antislavery laws that may apply?
Does mental anguish qualify as Domestic Abuse?
Are there blackmail laws that may help as she is using the situation with his mother to personally profit (she has full Power of Attorney over his mother) and keep him subservient?
​
I really want to help him. I've tried talking to him about getting leasing another place, but he is determined not to abandon his mother (which I totally understand).
The State is Mississippi.

Me and my family just recently moved into a new neighborhood. The first month was no problem from neighbors. A month later one afternoon I was sitting in front of my house in my car and all of sudden a woman comes out of nowhere and proceeds to bang on my driver side car window. I rolled my window down a little bit to speak and she then accuses me by saying she saw me hitting my neighbors bricks who lives directly next door to me and driving on their grass. I told her she was mistaken and that I never hit anyones bricks. She then proceeds to blow her cigarette smoke in my car. I then get out of the car and speak to her as I don't want her to continually blow her cigarette smoke in my car. I then asked her where she lives and she tells me she lives at the corner house while still blowing her cigarette smoke in my face. It seemed like she was doing all of this out of pettiness but as we were new to the neighborhood I decided not to start and argument and just politely ended the conversation. She then walks down to the corner house and turns the corner to another street. I thought nothing of it until a week later come to find out she doesn't live at the corner house and that she actually lives directly cross the street from me. I had hardly seen her or crossed paths so when she initially came up to my car I had no idea who this woman was. Please stay with me because this is where the madness begins. A week later I was leaving out for work. Now mind you I park my car on the street in front of my house sometimes and as you know you sometimes have to drive in a neighbors driveway when parking on the street to turn around. I did just that but instead of using the neighbors across the street driveway (cigarette lady) I decided to use the neighbor who lives directly next door to her to avoid any problems with cigarette lady since she lied and accused me of something I didn't do. As I was driving in this lady's driveway (who lives next door to cigarette lady) I ENSURED I didn't drive on her grass since again me and my family are new to the street and also since the cigarette lady has already made up a lie about me driving on someone else's grass I didn't want anymore problems. As I drove in her driveway was I went slow and made sure I didn't drive all the way in her driveway only up to the sidewalk. This lady then runs out her back door and comes up to her gate and yells something at me. I rolled my windows down and asked her what did she say because I didn't hear her. She then says "Don't get on my motherfucking grass". I was in complete shock. Because I made sure I wasn't on her grass and that I drove slow. I then say to her "You don't have to speak to me like that I never met you. You're being very ignorant with me. I'd appreciate it if you not talk to me in that manner" she then says "I don't give a fuck don't drive on my fucking grass, bitch" After this we get into a brief argument and I drive a way. When I come home she's already waiting on her porch and I was prepared to ignore her as I was still in shock someone could talk to someone like that who've never down anything to them. She then "Hey, I wanted to apologize for earlier." and I then say I do not accept your apology kindly as If Im being honest I was still upset by the names she called me. After I declined her apology she then says "Nevermind bitch". I knew then none of this was going to be good. I concluded that night that what might have triggered her to lie and say I was on her grass was because the cigarette lady told her I drove my neighbors grass so when I drove in her driveway she already had preconceived notions about me off of what she has heard from cigarette lady. Ever since then her and the cigarette lady has went to half the neighbors on our street lying to them telling them that I did this, that, and the third as if Im bullying them for no reason. Other neighbors has chosen "their side" because other neighbors would say stuff to me as Im walking my dog or when I wave at them they blatantly don't wave back. Whenever I would water my grass cigarette lady and driveway lady would get on one of their porches and gossip about me. I just ignore them until a week ago. Last week I decided to take my dog on a walk around the neighborhood as I normally do. Usually when I walk my dog I try to stay on my side of the street to avoid further confrontation but and sometimes I walk my dog on both sides cigarette lady and driveway lady side of the street as well as my own. And I decided to walk on both sides. As I began to walk my dog, driveway lady then looks out her front door and then rushes out her back door to walk her dog. I then said I will try to talk to her today and try to end the conflict. So I walked my dog to the corner of our street and waited for her to come around the block to speak to her. And I did I spoke to her and also mentioned to her I don't like the things she been doing and that it's ridiculous she has involved all the neighbors. She then said yes "I told everyone, I will keep telling everyone" from there I knew she was insane. So I politely asked her to stop the drama with my family and I and leave us alone and walk away and she agrees and we go our separate ways. Out of nowhere her mother and father pulls up in the middle of the street then jumps out the car and begin to yell at me. Mind you this lady is about 41 years old. I knew this was her parents because she called them mom and dad. I then say a few words back and just go home. I didn't even get to finish walking my dog. I go home lay down and 30 minutes later the police shows up at my door saying that the "driveway" lady parents called and told them I was walking my dog on the wrong side of the street and that I have been harassing her and the neighbors. I then ask him is it a crime to walk by dog on a public side walk although I always make sure my dog doesn't poop on anyones lawn. He says no and then actually agrees that her calling the police on me was ridiculous and that I have every right to walk my dog on either side of the street. So after that the police gives me an incident report number and I go inside. The police then goes over to driveway lady's front yard and speak to her and her family. So decided to walk my dog again since I didn't get to finish walking him the first time and I thought this was the perfect time since the police was there. I began walking my dog and this time I was going to walk around the corner to a different street. As I passing by the corner house on my street to go around the corner to a different street a man and his wife are on their porch starring at me with anger in their eyes I just looked away and kept walking. Then the woman on the porch goes "Who the fuck are you starring at" I said "I don't know you" and she then jumps off the porch and goes "Im [insert name] who the fuck are you" I tried to keep walking before I know it she's slapping me upside my head. Before I can defender myself the police who was once talking to "driveway" lady then runs up puts me in handcuffs then gives me a ticket for disorderly conduct. They then let me go and gave me my ticket. I was in tears and in shocked that this was really happening to me. I then told my family about it who lives near and my brother rush over and confronts the lady and her husband. Apparently she claims that I have been bullying "driveway" lady and that I'm a horrible person which is why she attacked me. The police refused to give her ticket for assault as they said "They didn't see anything" I know this was very long but what do I do. We have a court date set as well. She I hire a good lawyer or do I even have a case. Pertaining to the neighborhood do I contact city council? Where do I go from here?

Compiled by u/zhilia_mann and extensively revised by u/Loleeeee.

Reminders for Dust of Dreams

Notes on half a book

Dust of Dreams is an odd read. It hasn't seen the reconsideration that Toll the Hounds has; it's ranked ninth in our last reader survey. The Author's Note at the beginning spells out some of the reasons:

Dust of Dreams is the first half of a two-volume novel, to be concluded with The Crippled God. Accordingly, if you’re looking for resolutions to various story-threads, you won’t find them. Also, do note that there is no epilogue and, structurally, Dust of Dreams does not follow the traditional arc for a novel.

He's not kidding. But that's not the whole story.
DoD does have a climax, but it feels more like the mid-book climax that is Y'ghatan in The Bonehunters chapter 7. It's monumental, it changes things, but it doesn't reach out and incorporate disparate storylines or tie together themes. It also arrives incredibly suddenly and catches me off guard even when I know what's coming.
More generally, DoD takes its time. Erikson continues to lean in to the slow character moments that characterize Toll the Hounds, but now does so with the urgency dictated by the imminent conclusion of the series. Theme drives DoD as much as plot -- to the extent that some readers like to claim that basically nothing happens.
There are two specific things to look out for as you read. First, there's a specific plot that seems very odd if you don't catch one hint in the prologue. In order to not give away the game, u/kashmora and I have decided to discuss that plot in more detail under spoiler tags in order to maintain a balance between spoon-feeding the reveal and actually having something to say.
Second, there's a notorious event in chapter 15. It's effectively foreshadowed and won't come as a huge shock, but it's brutal. If any previous sexual violence has bothered you, this is guaranteed to turn your stomach. It's handled respectfully, but it's vile. As the chapter approaches, we will likely give lines and timestamps to stop and then restart reading if you feel you just can't do it.
I genuinely like Dust of Dreams (and, unusually, tend to rate it over The Crippled God). But it's an experience.

Characters

Since Dust of Dreams picks up largely where Reaper's Gale left off, we have a somewhat limited cast of new characters. That said, a) we continue to expand on the Lether continent and b) we're bringing back characters we haven't seen since The Bonehunters.

Gods and Ascendants

Elder

• Errastas: The Errant, Master of Holds. Likes to "push" and claims that to be his nature.
• Kilmandaros: Primarily known for pummeling her problems into dust. Mother of Sechul Lath.
• Sechul Lath: Knuckles, the Lord of Chance and Mischance. He, like his mother, seems to have extra joints and a horizontally hinged sternum.
• Mael: Bugg, Tehol's one-time man-servant and now Ceda, Chancellor, and Treasurer. Also the god of the sea.
• Ursto Hoobutt and Pinosel: Ancient gods of beer, wine, and fertility.
• Olar Ethil: Goddess and Soletaken Eleint Bonecaster of the T'lan Imass.
• Togg and Fanderay: The Wolves of Winter, gods of war and current occupants of the Beast Throne. Worshiped by the Perish Grey Helms and, before their destruction, the Grey Swords under Toc Anaster.
• Grizzin Farl: An ancient god, now disappeared.
• Tiam (or T'iam, or Tiamatha): Goddess of dragons.

New Gods and Ascendants

• Hood: You remember Hood, right? The Jaghut god of death that just died himself?
• D'rek: The Worm of Autumn, goddess of decay.
• Dessembrae: Lord of Tragedy. Divine aspect of Dassem Ultor.
• Shadowthrone and Cotillion: God of Shadow and the Rope, Patron of Assassins. Schemey plotters.

Letherii

• Tehol (the Only) is now the King of Lether
• Janath Anar is his Queen
• Brys Beddict titled a Prince now, Commander of the Letherii Army
• Aranict a promising High Mage, Atri-Ceda

The Wanderers

• Last: An ex-Letherii farmer. Lived with his father after his mother died when he was young. A big but meek fellow.
• Asane: A meek Letherii woman. Talked down upon by both Nappet & Sheb.
• Sheb: An ex-convict. Sentenced to what amounts to a death sentence, he survived prison, though was significantly changed for it.
• Rautos: A man with scant few memories, reminiscings of his wife, and a familiar name.
• Taxilian: An architect from the city of Taxila, Seven Cities, also with a familiar name.
• Nappet: Another Letherii ex-convict. He's a bully.
• Breath: A Letherii witch that's filled with spite & thoughts of drowning.
• The Ghost: An unnamed character that can move between the Wanderers at will. Has peculiar memories, though is presumably incorporeal.

The Refugium

• Rud Elalle: Son of Menandore and Udinaas, growing up very fast (think Silverfox).
• Ulshun Pral: A leader of the Bentract Imass of the Refugium. Son of Onrack T'emlava and Kilava Onas.
  • Seren Pedac: Acquitor and budding mage of Mockra, Trull's widow.
• Udinaas: Former slave to the Sengar household and former confidant of Rhulad. Dark, cynical, but way too insightful.

The 14th and its Allies

Malazan Leadership

• Lostara Yil: Former Red Blade, former lover of the Claw Pearl, now Tavore's right hand in T'amber's place. Trained in the Shadowdance.
• Blistig: Former commander of the Aren Guard, now Fist under Tavore.
• Kindly and Pores: The notorious captain and his long-suffering lieutenant, and/or Master Sergeant, and/or Quartermaster.

Marines

• Keneb: Fist who led the defense of Froth Wolf and Silanda in Malaz City. Detached to the Marines.
• Faradan Sort: Keneb's second in command. May have stood the Stormwall in the past.
• Bottle, Cuttle, Smiles, Koryk, Tarr, and Corabb Bhilan Thenu'alas: Fiddler's squad. Bottle is still a mage who can control animals and Corabb is still Oponn's favorite. 4th squad, 9th company.
• Gesler, Stormy, Sands, Shortnose, Flashwit, Uru Hela, and Mayfly: Gesler's squad, almost entirely composed of heavies. 5th squad, 9th company.
• Hellian, Touchy, Brethless, Balgrid, Tavos Pond, Maybe, and Lutes: Hellian's squad. Hellian is a drunk and has arachnophobia. Touchy and Brethless, her two corporals, have served under her since way back in Kartool. 8th squad, 9th company.
• Thom Tissy, Tulip, Ramp, Jibb, Gullstream, Mudslinger, and Bellig Harn: 12th squad, 9th company under Thom Tissy.
• Urb, Reem, Bowl, Hanno, Saltlick, and Scant: 13th squad, 9th company. Urb earned his own squad after dragging Hellian out of Y'ghatan, an event she still periodically wants to kill him over.
• Pravalak Rim, Honey, Strap Mull, Shoaly, Sinter, Kisswhere, and Lookback: 4th squad, 3rd company.
• Badan Gruk, Ruffle, Skim, Nep Furrow, Reliko, and Vastly Blank: The heavily Dal Honese 5th squad, 3rd company. Nep Furrow is a bush warlock, who talks in an incomprehensible accent.
• Primly, Hunt, Mulvan Dreader, Neller, Skulldeath, and Drawfirst: 10th squad, 3rd company.

New Bridgeburners

• Hedge: previously dead, now seemingly alive, Bridgeburner.

Other Soldiers

• Cord, Shard, Limp, Ebron, Crump, and Sinn: 7th squad, 9th company, largely former Ashok Regiment. Sinn is a traumatized girl and high mage. Crump's actual name is Jamber Bole, High Marshal of the Mott Irregulars.
• Balm, Deadsmell, Throatslitter, Galt, Lobe, and Widdershins: This humble writer's favorite squad, the 9th, 9th company. Deadsmell is a mage of Hood. Throatslitter's laugh can nearly kill all on its own.
• Masan Gilani: Dal Honese heavy and excellent rider. She has... other charms. Technically in Urb's squad?

Civilians

• Banaschar: Former high priest of D'rek, the Worm of Autumn. Stole the entire temple coffers after D'rek killed her followers (except Tayschrenn and Banaschar himself).
• Withal: "Foreigner" from The Bonehunters and the Meckros blacksmith who made Rhulad's sword for the Crippled God.
• Sandalath Drukorlat: Tiste Andii wife of Withal. First killed long ago, her soul was released by the Crimson Guards traveling with Seren Pedac in Midnight Tides. She was restored as a companion for Withal and it didn't go well at first. Now they're married, so something worked out?
• Grub: Keneb's adopted son. Walked the Chain of Dogs. Now the only friend of Sinn. Has a knack for saying prophetic things. Oh, and there's an epigraph in House of Chains (Chapter 19, if you're curious) that identifies him as a future First Sword of the Malazan Empire.

Khundryl Burned Tears

• Warleader Gall: still headed by him
• Hanavat: his wife

Perish Grey Helms

• Mortal Sword Krughava: Fifty-odd years old Mortal Sword of the Wolves of Winter (you may recall that Toc held that title in conjunction with Krughava).
• Shield Anvil Tanakalian: Shield Anvil of the Grey Helms. Homesick, young, and with some curious ideas about his role.
• Destriant Run'Thurvian: Destriant of the Grey Helms. Befriended Fist Keneb in the Bonehunters. Doesn't hold Tanakalian in particularly high esteem.

K'Chain Che'Malle and Associates

We meet a surviving nest - Ampelas Rooted - headed by Matron Gunth'an Acyl. She is guarded by J'an Sentinels (Bre'nigan), K'ell Hunters (Sag'Churok, Kor Thuran, Rythok) and Shi'gal Assassins (Gu'Rull). Her One Daughter is called Gunth Mach who was last seen cutting down Redmask at the end of RG, along with Sag'Churok.

The Snake

A group of refugee children on the run from Kolanse, marching through hostile lands and suffering from hunger and thirst. The train is led by the oldest/tallest boy among them, called Rutt. He carries a baby called Held. His second in command is Badalle, who is also our main Snake POV character. Other notable children among them are Saddic who follows Badalle and commits her poems to memory; Brayderal who seems pale inspite of the harsh sun.

The Shake

• Yedan Derryg: Half-brother to Yan Tovis. Known for a chiseled jaw.
• Yan Tovis: Preda at Shake Tower, also called Twilight.
• Pully and Skwish: Ancient Shake witches.

White Face Barghast and Associates

• Onos Toolan: Warleader of the White Face Barghast. You may note, technically not Barghast.
• Hetan: His wife. Daughter of the late Humbrall Taur.
• Cafal: Hetan's brother and Great Warlock of the White Faces.
• Setoc (of the Wolves): Known as Stayandi. A Letherii child and sole survivor of Redmask's attack in Reaper's Gale. Now a wolf-born child with an innate connection to wolves.
• Maral Eb:Chief of the Barahn clan of the White Faces
• Sekara (the Vile): It's in the name, really.

T'lan Imass

• Nom Kala: Bonecaster of the Brold T'lan Imass.

The Bolkando

• Chancellor Rava: Chancellor of the Bolkando Kingdom. Is oddly attracted to Felash. Is also in his seventies while Felash is fourteen.
• Conquestor Avalt: Military commander of the Bolkando Army with the glaring exception of the Evertine Legion. A decent military commander and he looks the part.
• Queen Abrastal: also called Firehair, commands the Evertine legion, co-ruler of the Bolkando lands
• Princess Felash: 14th daughter of Queen Abrastal, deemed the cleverest by her mother, 14 years old, away from the kingdom on a diplomatic mission.

Forkrul Assail

There are Pures, Watered and Shriven. The Pures are - as the name suggests - pure-blooded Forkrul Assail. The Watered are hybrids of Forkrul Assail and other races - often humans - while the Shriven refer to any race that doesn't have enough Forkrul blood to be considered Watered. The Shriven are essentially the slave caste of the Forkrul.

Other

• Icarium: Half-Jaghut son of Gothos. Cursed to forget but immensely powerful.

Wait, what's going on again? What you need to know to start reading.

The Malaz 14th - now Tavore's Bonehunters - invaded the Letherii Empire, ostensibly as a punitive expedition against the Tiste Edur raiding on Imperial lands (namely, Sepik). At the same time, due to machinations by Tehol Beddict, in conjunction with the Malazan invasion, Letherii society was in intense upheaval which ended in a defacto revolution placing Tehol at the head of the Kingdom of Lether.
In a similar timeframe, Icarium Lifestealer activated a strange machine with far-reaching consequences, one of the many among which being levelling an entire city block and killing - among others - Taxilian, Senior Assessor, Taralack Veed, and Rautos Hivanar.
The Errant was bound to Feather Witch through a temple sanctified in his name, and though he eventually won out - drowning Feather Witch in the fetid waters beneath Letheras - he lost his eye. The loss of power stings, and due to a combination of factors, the Errant craves a return to his ancient power. Also, Brys Beddict has returned to the world of the living.
There's a whole lot of skykeeps within the Imperial Warren, as well as a handful of dragons nailed to crosses throughout the books - among them, an "otataral dragon" as witnessed by Pearl & Lostara in House of Chains, and Sorrit, a dragon aspected to Serc, as found by Icarium & Mappo in the Bonehunters.
Redmask failed - and died - in whatever quest the K'Chain Che'Malle set to him, and it seems they're getting desperate.
Silchas Ruin set off to attack Letheras but was beaten back - chiefly by a few well-placed cussers to the face. "Fucking dragon."

Geography

We mostly stay in the continent of Lether but now we also include the Eastern end called Kolanse. Here is a fan made beautifully rendered map of all the places we encounter- done by u/joshuabbutler
Note: Given the extensive Dramatis and the convergence of dozens of threads in this pre-final book, we are stopping the intro here. We plan to update more and expand this further as we keep reading.

Me and my family just recently moved into a new neighborhood. The first month was no problem from neighbors. A month later one afternoon I was sitting in front of my house in my car and all of sudden a woman comes out of nowhere and proceeds to bang on my driver side car window. I rolled my window down a little bit to speak and she then accuses me by saying she saw me hitting my neighbors bricks who lives directly next door to me and driving on their grass. I told her she was mistaken and that I never hit anyones bricks. She then proceeds to blow her cigarette smoke in my car. I then get out of the car and speak to her as I don't want her to continually blow her cigarette smoke in my car. I then asked her where she lives and she tells me she lives at the corner house while still blowing her cigarette smoke in my face. It seemed like she was doing all of this out of pettiness but as we were new to the neighborhood I decided not to start and argument and just politely ended the conversation. She then walks down to the corner house and turns the corner to another street. I thought nothing of it until a week later come to find out she doesn't live at the corner house and that she actually lives directly cross the street from me. I had hardly seen her or crossed paths so when she initially came up to my car I had no idea who this woman was.
Please stay with me because this is where the madness begins.
A week later I was leaving out for work. Now mind you I park my car on the street in front of my house sometimes and as you know you sometimes have to drive in a neighbors driveway when parking on the street to turn around. I did just that but instead of using the neighbors across the street driveway (cigarette lady) I decided to use the neighbor who lives directly next door to her to avoid any problems with cigarette lady since she lied and accused me of something I didn't do. As I was driving in this lady's driveway (who lives next door to cigarette lady) I ENSURED I didn't drive on her grass since again me and my family are new to the street and also since the cigarette lady has already made up a lie about me driving on someone else's grass I didn't want anymore problems. As I drove in her driveway was I went slow and made sure I didn't drive all the way in her driveway only up to the sidewalk.
This lady then runs out her back door and comes up to her gate and yells something at me. I rolled my windows down and asked her what did she say because I didn't hear her. She then says "Don't get on my motherfucking grass". I was in complete shock. Because I made sure I wasn't on her grass and that I drove slow. I then say to her "You don't have to speak to me like that I never met you. You're being very ignorant with me. I'd appreciate it if you not talk to me in that manner" she then says "I don't give a fuck don't drive on my fucking grass, bitch" After this we get into a brief argument and I drive a way.
When I come home she's already waiting on her porch and I was prepared to ignore her as I was still in shock someone could talk to someone like that who've never down anything to them. She then "Hey, I wanted to apologize for earlier." and I then say I do not accept your apology kindly as If Im being honest I was still upset by the names she called me. After I declined her apology she then says "Nevermind bitch". I knew then none of this was going to be good.
I concluded that night that what might have triggered her to lie and say I was on her grass was because the cigarette lady told her I drove my neighbors grass so when I drove in her driveway she already had preconceived notions about me off of what she has heard from cigarette lady.
Ever since then her and the cigarette lady has went to half the neighbors on our street lying to them telling them that I did this, that, and the third as if Im bullying them for no reason. Other neighbors has chosen "their side" because other neighbors would say stuff to me as Im walking my dog or when I wave at them they blatantly don't wave back. Whenever I would water my grass cigarette lady and driveway lady would get on one of their porches and gossip about me.
I just ignore them until a week ago.
Last week I decided to take my dog on a walk around the neighborhood as I normally do. Usually when I walk my dog I try to stay on my side of the street to avoid further confrontation but and sometimes I walk my dog on both sides cigarette lady and driveway lady side of the street as well as my own. And I decided to walk on both sides. As I began to walk my dog, driveway lady then looks out her front door and then rushes out her back door to walk her dog. I then said I will try to talk to her today and try to end the conflict. So I walked my dog to the corner of our street and waited for her to come around the block to speak to her. And I did I spoke to her and also mentioned to her I don't like the things she been doing and that it's ridiculous she has involved all the neighbors. She then said yes "I told everyone, I will keep telling everyone" from there I knew she was insane. So I politely asked her to stop the drama with my family and I and leave us alone and walk away and she agrees and we go our separate ways. Out of nowhere her mother and father pulls up in the middle of the street then jumps out the car and begin to yell at me. Mind you this lady is about 41 years old. I knew this was her parents because she called them mom and dad. I then say a few words back and just go home. I didn't even get to finish walking my dog. I go home lay down and 30 minutes later the police shows up at my door saying that the "driveway" lady parents called and told them I was walking my dog on the wrong side of the street and that I have been harassing her and the neighbors. I then ask him is it a crime to walk by dog on a public side walk although I always make sure my dog doesn't poop on anyones lawn. He says no and then actually agrees that her calling the police on me was ridiculous and that I have every right to walk my dog on either side of the street.
So after that the police gives me an incident report number and I go inside. The police then goes over to driveway lady's front yard and speak to her and her family. So decided to walk my dog again since I didn't get to finish walking him the first time and I thought this was the perfect time since the police was there. I began walking my dog and this time I was going to walk around the corner to a different street. As I passing by the corner house on my street to go around the corner to a different street a man and his wife are on their porch starring at me with anger in their eyes I just looked away and kept walking. Then the woman on the porch goes "Who the fuck are you starring at" I said "I don't know you" and she then jumps off the porch and goes "Im [insert name] who the fuck are you" I tried to keep walking before I know it she's slapping me upside my head. Before I can defender myself the police who was once talking to "driveway" lady then runs up puts me in handcuffs then gives me a ticket for disorderly conduct. They then let me go and gave me my ticket.
I was in tears and in shocked that this was really happening to me. I then told my family about it who lives near and my brother rush over and confronts the lady and her husband. Apparently she claims that I have been bullying "driveway" lady and that I'm a horrible person which is why she attacked me. The police refused to give her ticket for assault as they said "They didn't see anything"
I know this was very long but what do I do. We have a court date set as well. She I hire a good lawyer or do I even have a case. Pertaining to the neighborhood do I contact city council? Where do I go from here?
​
SORRY FOR THE TYPOS.

I live on a cul de sac with 4 other houses. My immediate neighbor who recently moved in a couple years ago let’s their two dogs run wild, darting in front of cars and charging anyone who walks in the cul de sac if the dogs are freely running around, which happens often.
One of the dogs jumped on my brand new car to bark and scratched my paint awhile back.
Today I went to get my mail and turned around and was greeted by the two dogs running a foot away from me and barking at me. I feel I shouldn’t have to experience this harassment from his dogs in a shared cul de sac.
This neighbor is entitled and has had a feud with my dad prior to me moving in and tried to fight my dad while he was drunk and my dad was undergoing chemo.
Am I the asshole for telling my neighbor to get ahold of his fucking dogs that charge and aggressively bark at my feet?

I’m gonna make this as direct and short as I can
I discovered porn and masturbation as a coping mechanism from family issues (that I won’t touch on) at an extremely young age
I decided to start my nofap journey cause I feel more motivated to crush it in life, talk to guys and girls (im bi) and the sex is better
I willing to admit I have a severe addiction to masturbation and porn (less porn though)
I’m back at home for a good amount of time (which is the source of discovering this nasty habit)
I’m am fine up until the 5 day mark I feel so anxious my heart feels like it’s going to explode and despite my efforts Went out and as I was driving home I was speeding and my legs were shaking

• working out -calling a friend
• cold shower
• listening to music
• make something to eat
• spend time with my dog
• sit outside so I wouldn’t be tempted And legit taking care of anything that needed to be done around the house I gave in to P&M

It’s like this other person takes over my mind and I go absolutely feral
I’ve taken so many cold showers it doesn’t even do anything anymore
Any solutions would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏼

Hey all, I have experience with training dogs and caring for them, but for a good 10 years of my life I was gone for 10-11 hours per day 5+ days a week.
Things have changed with hybrid working and a new job. I'm now gone 2-4 days out of 7 for around 8-9 hours. There isn't anyone who can watch the dog during the day aside from paying a dog walker, but I can give the dog access to the exterior with a 3 seasons room I have. I live in the country part of the city so it's fairly quiet from a people/cars perspective, but there's deer, squirrels, rabbits, etc..
Most would say get a cat i know, but I also like walking a lot and being outside or hiking. So I'm looking for a companion to do things with and walk every day. I'm also allergic to most cats :(
Can I get away with taking them for however long of a walk they need in the morning and the evening on days that I'm gone. I definitely want to make sure my dog is happy and loved, but it's just me. Thanks!
Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?
First dog that I am primarily responsible before but experienced in training not necessarily caring for a dog
2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?
I would prefer to rescue a dog
3) Describe your ideal dog.
Small to medium sized. Happy loving and hungry
4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?
I’m not sure I was looking at beagles recently
5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?
My dog will be trained on his day to day and his capacity to continue to learn beyond that would be stimulated but I don’t really want my dog to do “something”
6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?
No
Care Commitments
7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?
2 hours max
8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?
For me I understand the dog needs daily exercise but some days it’s 20-30 min and other days I have 2-3 hours of walking. For reference I averaged 3.5 miles walked per day working from home last year. I’ve walked/hiked 20+ miles in a day though
9) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?
I do not want to regularly have to brush and trim hair. I have significant issues with my hands that make things like that difficult. I would hire someone if I could not perform
Personal Preferences
10) What size dog are you looking for?
20-50 lbs
11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?
Barking and slobber are eh prefer not to much shedding but definitely not a deal breaker I’m outside a lot so I track in my fair share of dirt
12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?
Not important
Dog Personality and Behavior
13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?
I want a dog that is ok if I give it tons of attention but I’m gone for 8 hours
14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?
Does not matter to me we are all our own person or in this case dog 🙂
15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?
Someone at the house let me know I live in a semi secluded area on a walk or in a park i definitely want them to be friendly to people and dogs
16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?
I can manage and train a dog that reacts incorrectly but would prefer not to have to do that
17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?
No
Lifestyle
18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?
I’m gone for 4-8 hours every day, but I’m a giver I go out of my way to give to others so I’d prefer a dog who isn’t going to freak out
19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?
N/a
20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?
N/a
21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?
N/a
22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?
Own home
23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds
N/a USA no covenants
24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?
North Carolina hot and cold
Additional Information and Questions
25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.
Just looking for a Best bud to share a large home that I live in alone. I cook and walk/hike a decent amount so a buddy to enjoy that with
26) Feel free to ask any questions below

I have only visited her parent’s house a few times but every time I just get so angry and sad seeing their two dogs outside begging to be let in. one of them is chained up so he can only roam a limited amount. their food/water bowls always look gross like they never get cleaned. we live in texas so they have to endure extreme heat/cold. they do have doggie houses but obviously that does not compare to a clean, dry, insulated home. I just hate that we cannot do anything for them. why the fuck even become a dog owner in the first place if you’re gonna treat them like prisoners?

Please let me know if you're interested in bundle deals, willing to work price down for multiples. Cash App/Venmo/Paypal (No FF unfortunately) accepted! Price firm for single codes
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Name	Price	Format	Redemption Site
3:10 to Yuma	$5	4K	Vudu
31	$3	HD
The 355	$4	HD	MA
A24 Horror 5 Film Collection (Hereditary/ X/ The Witch/ Green Room/ It Comes At Night)	$15	HD	Vudu
Addams Family 2	$3	HD	iTunes
Aladdin (2019)	$5	4K	MA
Aladdin (1992)	$4	HD	MA
Alien	$3	HD	MA
Aliens	$3	HD	MA
Alien: Covenant	$3	HD	MA
Prometheus (Alien)	$3	HD	MA
Amsterdam	$6	HD	MA
Anchorman 2	$3	HD	MA
Ant Man Quantumania	$10	4K	MA
Ant Man Quantumania	$8	HD	MA
Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm	$5	HD	MA
Avengers Age of Ultron	$3	HD	MA
Avengers Infinity War	$3	HD	MA
Avengers Endgame	$6	4K	MA
Back to the Future Trilogy	$9	HD	MA
Bad Boys	$3	HD	MA
Bad Boys for Life	$3	HD	MA
Bad Grandpa	$3	HD
Banshees of Inisherin	$6	HD	MA
The Batman	$4	HD	MA
Batman and Superman Battle of the Super Sons	$4	HD	MA
Beast	$5	HD	MA
Belly	$5	4K	Vudu
Black Adam	$5	HD	MA
Black Panther Wakanda Forever	$7	4K	MA
Black Panther Wakanda Forever	$5	HD	MA
Blacklight	$5	HD
Blues Brothers	$5	4K	MA
Bob's Burgers Movie	$4	HD	MA
Bohemian Rhapsody	$6	4K	MA
Boss Baby	$3	HD	MA
Boss Baby 2 Pack	$6	HD	MA
Boss Baby Family Business	$5	4k	MA
Bullet Train	$4	HD	MA
Casablanca	$5	4K	MA
Call Jane	$4	HD	MA
Captain Marvel	$3	HD	MA
Captain Marvel	$5	4K	MA
Cars 3	$5	4K
Clerks 3	$5	HD
A Clockwork Orange	$5	4K	MA
Coco	$4	HD
The Commuter	$4	HD
Creed 3	$8	HD	Vudu
Cruella	$5	4K
Cruella	$4	HD
Daddy's Home 2	$3	HD
DC League of Superpets	$4	HD
Deadpool	$3	HD
Deadpool 2	$3	HD
The Dentist (1996) & The Dentist 2 Brace Yourself (1998)	$6	HD
Despicable Me 2	$3	HD	MA
Devotion	$5	HD	MA
Die Hard With A Vengeance	$3	HD	MA
A Good Day to Die Hard	$3	HD	MA
Divergent	$3	HD
Doctor Strange	$3	HD	MA
Doctor Strange Multiverse Of Madness	$6	4K	MA
Doctor Strange Multiverse Of Madness	$4	HD	MA
Dolittle	$3	HD	MA
Downtown Abbey A New Era	$4	HD	MA
Dreamwork 10 Movie Collection	$20	HD	MA
Dumbo (2019)	$5	4K	MA
Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves	$10	4K	iTunes/Vudu
Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves	$8	HD	iTunes/Vudu
80 for Brady	$7	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Elvis	$4	HD	MA
Empire of Light	$5	HD
Fast & Furious 8 Film Collection	$15	HD	MA
Fast and the Furious	$5	4K	MA
Fate of the Furious	$3	HD	MA
Fifty Shades Darker	$3	HD	MA
Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy	$6	HD	MA
Flashdance	$5	4K	Vudu
The Forever Purge	$6	4K	MA
Free Guy	$4	HD	MA
Friday the 13th (1980)	$4	HD
Frozen	$3	HD	MA
Frozen II	$3	HD	MA
Game of Thrones House of the Dragon Season 1	$6	HD	Vudu
Gentlemen	$3	HD	iTunes
Ghosts Season 1	$6	HD
Ghostbusters	$3	HD
Ghostbusters II	$3	HD
Ghostbusters Afterlife	$4	HD
The Good Dinosaur	$4	HD
Guardians of the Galaxy	$3	HD	MA
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2	$3	HD	MA
Halloween (2018)	$4	HD	MA
Halloween Kills	$4	HD	MA
Halloween Ends	$5	HD	MA
Hitman's Bodyguard	$3	HD	MA
Hitman's Wife Bodyguard	$3	HD	MA
Hunger Games 4 Movie Collection	$10	HD	MA
Incredibles 2	$3	HD	MA
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark	$3	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom	$3	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade	$3	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull	$3	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Independence Day Resurgence	$3	HD	MA
Insidious Chapter 2	$3	HD	MA
Insidious Chapter 3	$3	HD	MA
Insidious The Last Key	$3	HD	MA
Jesus Revolution	$5	HD	iTunes/Vudu
John Wick 1 & 2 Combo Pack	$5	HD	MA
John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum	$3	HD	MA
Jumanji 2 Pack (2017/2019)	$6	HD	MA
Jumanji Trilogy (1995-2019)	$4	SD	MA
Jungle Cruise	$5	4K	MA
Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom	$4	4K	MA
Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom	$3	HD	MA
Jurassic World 6 Movie Collection	$12	HD	MA
Justice League x RWBY Super Heroes and Huntsmen Part One	$8	4K	MA
Justice League x RWBY Super Heroes and Huntsmen Part One	$6	HD	MA
Justice Society World War II	$4	4K	MA
The Kid (2019)	$4	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Kin	$5	4K
Knock at the Cabin	$8	HD	MA
Knives Out	$3	HD	MA
Legion of Super Heroes	$5	HD	MA
Leon the Professional	$3	HD	MA
Lightyear	$6	4K	MA
Lion King (2019)	$5	4K	MA
Lion King (2019)	$3	HD	MA
Lion King (1994)	$3	HD	MA
The Little Mermaid	$3	HD	MA
The Lost City	$6	4K
Luca	$5	4K
Mad Max	$6	4K	Vudu
Mad Max 2/ Mad Max 3/ Mad Max Fury Road	$15	4K	MA
Magic Mike Last Dance	$7	HD	MA
Mary Queen of Scots	$5	4K	MA
Man on the Moon	$4	HD
Matrix Resurrections	$6	4K	MA
Memory	$4	HD	MA
Men	$5	HD
Minions The Rise of Gru	$4	HD	MA
Minions 2 Movie Collection	$6	HD	MA
Miss You Already	$3	HD	Vudu
Morbius	$3	HD
Mulan	$3	HD
Mulan 2	$3	HD
Mulan (2020)	$5	4K
Mummy	$3	HD
Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor	$3	HD
News of the World	$3	HD	MA
007 No Time to Die (iTunes only)	$5	4K	iTunes
NOPE	$5	HD	MA
The Northman	$4	HD
The Old Way	$6	HD
Onward	$6	4K	MA
Operation Fortune Ruse De Guerre	$8	4K	Vudu
Pitch Perfect	$3	HD	MA
Pitch Perfect 2	$3	HD	MA
The Pirate Fairy	$3	HD	MA
Plane	$7	4K	Vudu/iTunes
Plane	$5	HD	Vudu/iTunes
Dawn for the Planet of the Apes	$3	HD	MA
Rise of the Planet of the Apes	$3	HD	MA
War for the Planet of the Apes	$3	HD	MA
Pocahontas 2	$3	HD	MA
Predator 4-Pack	$12	HD	MA
Prey for the Devil	$5	HD	MA
Queen and Slim	$4	HD	MA
A Quiet Place	$3	HD
Rambo 5 Film Collection	$15	HD
Raya and the Last Dragon	$6	4K	MA
Raya and the Last Dragon	$4	HD	MA
Reservoir Dogs	$6	4K	iTunes/Vudu
Rock Dog 3 Battle the Beat	$2	HD
Rocky 4 Film Collection	$20	4K	MA
Ron Gone Wrong	$4	HD
Scream (1996)	$6	4K	iTunes/Vudu
Scream (1996)	$3	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Scream (2022)	$4	HD	iTunes/Vudu
The Scorpion King	$3	HD	MA
Secret Headquarters	$4	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Secret Life of Pets	$3	HD	MA
Shazam Fury of the Gods	$8	HD	MA
Shivers	$4	HD	Vudu
Silent Night, Deadly Night Collection	$10	HD
Smile	$7	4K	iTunes/Vudu
Sonic the Hedgehog	$4	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Sonic the Hedgehog 2	$6	4K	iTunes/Vudu
Sonic the Hedgehog 2	$4	HD	iTunes/Vudu
Soul	$6	4K	MA
Snake Eyes GI Joe Origins	$6	4K
Snow White & The Huntsman	$4	4K
Space Jam A New Legacy	$4	4K	MA
Spider-Man	$3	HD	MA
Spider-Man 2	$3	HD	MA
Spider-Man 3	$3	HD	MA
Amazing Spider-Man	$3	HD	MA
Amazing Spider-Man 2	$3	HD	MA
Spider-Man Homecoming	$4	HD	MA
Spider-Man Far From Home	$4	HD	MA
Spinning Gold	$8	HD	MA
Spirit Untamed	$4	HD	MA
Spider-Man No Way Home	$4	HD	MA
Star Trek Into Darkness	$3	HD
Star Trek Beyond	$3	HD
Star Trek The Motion Picture	$6	4K
Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan	$6	4K
Star Trek III The Search For Spock	$6	4K
Star Trek IV The Voyage Home	$6	4K
Star Wars The Last Jedi	$4	4K	MA
Strange World	$4	HD	MA
The Super Mario Bros Movie	SOLD	HD	MA
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)	$3	HD
Thor Ragnarok	$3	HD	MA
Thor Love and Thunder	$6	4K	MA
Thor Love and Thunder	$4	HD	MA
Ticket To Paradise	$6	HD
Till (iTunes Only)	$5	HD
To Kill A Mockingbird	$3	HD
Top Gun	$3	HD
Top Gun Maverick	$6	4K
Top Gun Maverick	$4	HD
Toy Story 4	$6	4k	MA
Toy Story 4	$4	HD	MA
Training Day	$6	4K	MA
Transformers Age of Extinction	$6	4K	Vudu/iTunes
Transformers Dark of the Moon	$6	4K	Vudu/iTunes
Transformers The Last Knight	$6	4K	Vudu/iTunes
Trolls	$3	HD	MA
Trolls 2 Movie Collection	$6	HD	MA
The Turning	$4	HD	MA
Turning Red	$6	4K	MA
Turning Red	$4	HD	MA
Uncharted	$6	4K	MA
Underwold Rise of the Lycans	$3	HD
Venom	$3	HD	MA
Voyagers	$5	4K
The Walking Dead Season 11	$6	HD
Wayne's World	$6	4K
West Side Story (2021)	$3	HD	MA
West Side Story (2021)	$5	4K	MA
Wolf of Wall Street	$3	HD	MA
The Woman King	$7	4K	MA
The Woman King	$5	HD	MA
Wreck It Ralph: Ralph Breaks the Internet	$6	4K	MA
X-Men Apocalypse	$3	HD	MA
X-Men Trilogy (First Class/DOFP/Apocalypse)	$9	HD	MA

The following movies are the current Universal Rewards and are $3 each or 2 for $5
May 2023 Rewards 4 LEFT

Assault on Precinct 13	HD	MA
Being John Malkovich	HD	MA
The Black Dahlia (2006)	HD	MA
Fifty Shades of Grey	4K	MA
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry	HD	MA
Larry Crowne	HD	MA
Snow White and the Huntsman	4K	MA
This is 40	HD	MA
12 Monkeys	4K	MA
Welcome to Marwen	4K	MA

​
June 2023 Rewards
​

9	HD	MA
About Time	HD	MA
American Pie	HD	MA
The Boy Next Door	HD	MA
Definitely,Maybe	HD	MA
Eastern Promises	HD	MA
Empire	HD	MA
Fifty Shades Darker	4K	MA
The Great Wall	4K	MA
Jarhead 2	HD	MA
Josie and the Pussycats	HD	MA
Reservation Road	HD	MA

My boyfriend (M25) and I (F20) had a really great relationship at the start. Within the last couple months everything seems to be going downhill.
I have always struggled with my mental health as I have anxiety, bipolar, and depression to name a few. He knew this before we even started dating. He use to care when I’d get into a bad space. He’d lay with me when I was feeling suicidal, he’d talk to me to calm me down when anxious, and he always helped when my bipolar flipped. We even came up with a code when I felt like self harming or had self harmed. “I want to play fruit ninja” or “I played fruit ninja” just so I didn’t have to stress myself more with the words. I loved our relationship.
Recently he has seemed to stop caring about me in general. I tell him somethings wrong and all he says is “well, that’s not good.” And goes back to his video games. I slack with house work because my depression makes it hard to do anything, he gets mad and says I never do anything. He’s started throwing things at the wall and yelling at me.
The other day we were sitting and talking and he tried to break his phone in half before I stopped him. I told him I’m scared of him and he told me I’m too sensitive.
He keeps yelling at me over little things, he says I do nothing around the house and I do nothing for him (I just bought him the puppy he wanted.)
I have a 3 strikes rule. I’ll ask things to get better once, the second time I will ask again but say I will only ask one more time. The third time I will say that this is the last time I’ll ask and if I feel like I need to have the conversation, I’ll leave. He knows he’s on his third strike and I told him I’m not going to let him walk all over me anymore.
He said if I leave he will kill himself, to which I replied by saying “Holy, manipulation at it’s finest.” He told me he wasn’t manipulating me but he would do it. I told him that if or when we break up I will call the police to put him on suicide watch. Which, yet again, I got yelled at for.
I don’t know what happened to my sweet man. He use to show love with every part of him. He use to be a big teddy bear. He use to be caring and kind. I want that man back. I moved 6 hours away from everyone I know and love to be with him. Now I’m stuck with him in a city I don’t know and with nobody to help me.
I miss my kind hearted and gentle man. Now instead of the kindness and love, I feel fear and stress. I’ve started self harming more recently and he doesn’t give a single fuck. I tell him I’m suicidal and he just tells me “that’s not good.” I’m stuck in a place I don’t want to be in physically and emotionally. I don’t know what to do.
He keeps threatening to shoot and kill my dog just because she growled at the puppy who was trying to bite her tail. He threatens to kill other people’s animals just because their owner made him mad. He tells me I can’t be friends with the neighbours because he thinks they need to stay out of our business. These neighbours have become my closest friends here since they have come to comfort me as I sit in my car and cry my eyes out.
I have nothing here and nothing to live for but my dog.
I want my man back.

(Posting this in other communities I’m part of)
both f20- my partner and I ended things today after a week of space that I asked for. We talked about things we reflected on during the week, realizations we had, and she decided that we needed to part and put ourselves first. We cried, held each other, apologized, cried more, laughed about how snotty we were from crying and the sounds we were making, thanked each other, and hugged for a really long time. I said goodbye to her dog, we said I love you and I went home. We’re going to have no contact for a month or two, and whenever the time is right we’ll reconnect and see how things are.
I have BPD and have known deep down for years, but in this relationship specifically I tried to hide it and pretend like it wasn’t really there. In her last relationship, her partner had bpd and it was really hard for them, specifically for my partner. For some reason I felt like because of that, I couldn’t have what I knew I was going to have no matter what. I felt like I had done “enough” work (I now know that there’s no such thing, I’m always going to have to consciously and consistently work on my headspace) and quickly told myself it wasn’t going to be an issue.
It was fine for a few months, then it wasn’t. We went through a lot of back and forth, we’d be good for a bit then we wouldn’t, again and again. All of my symptoms started to creep back in, even though the love was and is still very much there, and i subconsciously and stupidly ruined the relationship and hurt her in a way that I promised I never would. It would have been so much easier to just find the right words and tell her what was going on then and there. But I never could and it was very hard for her. I had a self imposed mental block stopping me. She showed me endless patience, assured me of her love and that I could always just talk to her.
I abruptly left her house one night because I felt sick, but I was also at a breaking point with my mind and was letting “that” side of it win. I drove home, she called and asked me what was going on, and I ended up saying I wanted a break. As soon as I said it I immediately regretted it but it was too late. We agreed on a week and I had the intention to figure out what I was really feeling, accept what it was, and figure out how to talk to her. I did all of that and got a lot of clarity on everything. But I have a feeling now that it was already over, at least before we talked about it. We talked and said what we had to say. She’s rightfully hurt by the person I’ve become and can’t be in a relationship with someone that makes her feel like that. And I’m proud of her for making that decision. I’m also devastated for her and disgusted with myself that i became another person she’s loved that has made her do that.
no contact for a month or two, we’re going to come back to ourselves, be with friends, work on the things that need work, and grow, then whenever the time comes we’ll reconnect. She doesn’t know if we’re going to try again at the end of all of this and thinking of the uncertainty makes me physically sick. It’s insane that all of this had to happen for me to realize that I can’t continue to be the way I am and that the love I have for her should have come first.
my head is killing me from crying, my wrist is sore from writing, and I wish I was holding her.
I’m fully responsible for all of it, at some point this was going to be the only outcome. I know the time we take will be immensely helpful for both of us, and whether it’s together or apart everything will work out. But it still hurts like nothing I’ve ever felt before. She’s been my best friend for a year and the only person I’d want to talk to, especially now. Even silly or boring things.
Idk what kind of feedback I’m looking for, I’m just sad and hate that I know I’m going to wake up tomorrow morning, and have forgotten about all of this for a few moments before I remember.
Has anyone gone through this? What happened? Any advice, words of wisdom, or really anything welcome.
Tldr; partner ended our relationship because I haven’t been the best partner, and we’re still in love. I struggled with my bpd and accepting it in our specific relationship. Going no contact until we’re ready to reconnect. Overall just disappointed in my self and sad.

[←Chapter 63] [Cover Art] [My Links] [Index] [Discord] [Subreddit] [Chapter 65→]
In a rare moment, Sorore was actually having a nice dream, a normal one, one could even say. She was back home, in that moderately seized house in Erratz, laying on her mother’s lap. She could even hear the gentle sound that the needle made as it went in and out of the cloth. It was peaceful, pleasant, surrounded by familiar sound and smells, though her sight was blurry and confused.
It was not to last, as the sound of rushing water overtook all else, until she was forced awake by its unrelenting pace. When she sat up, rubbing her eyes in the broad bed, she released that it wasn’t the sound of water, nor was it relegated to her dreams. There was a commotion outside people talking in hushed but harsh tones.
Neither Lillian, nor Aya were within the room, and she wondered if they were having an argument. That wouldn’t be good - she’d watched them have the spat earlier, and that dispute didn’t need much worsening. Sorore crept to the door to the outer hallway - she loved how they slid to create whole new rooms. It was something she’d have to think about more she decided as she pulled it open and realised several things at once.
One, there were a whole lot of armoured figures in the hallway, at least four, maybe half a dozen. Two, the balcony door was open, and Lillian was currently arguing with one of them, Aya standing by looking like a mining explosive had gone off right next to her. Three, her brother and Niche had just emerged out of the room beside, and Niche was about to draw his sword at the sudden intrusion.
For a moment, she panicked, her mind going completely blank. Her mind raced with visions of bloody aftermath, and a chase through the city, back to the dinner she’d had with all those nice people.
“Oh, hello!” she blurted, drawing the surprised stares of several of the men, “who might you be?”
There was an instant of shocked silence between all parties.
“Nobody do anything!” called the man who was out on the porch, “We are representatives of the sand-shell legion, on behalf of the matriarch of the Eisen. We have come to retrieve her granddaughter.”
Niche lowered his hand from his sword belt, but Sorore could tell that he was ready to fight on a moment’s provocation. She also noticed that Kieren, in the same gown she’d worn to the square was standing in the stairwell. The woman looked so nervous Sorore thought she might fall over and down the stairs.
“Let’s move to a less cramped area,” said the captain, in a tone that brook no argument.
Eventually, it was sussed out, though not without considerable resistance on part of the paladins, that they were to meet in the great hall. As they sat, they were brought simple drinks of milk and honey, flavoured with something else that Sorore could not quite place. The two paladins looked like pacing cats, constrained on their chairs, arms crossed and eyes hard.
“Under no circumstances can we give one of ours into you custody,” said Lillian, locked in a match with the captain.
“Within the city, you are under the authority of the guard, no matter who you are. If the matriach has sent for this girl, then we have our orders.”
“As do we, captain,” said Niche, “to protect and guide each of these young women and… man, unto the holy lands of Angorrah.”
One of the guards flanking the captain whispered something in his ear.
“She’s not going to like it,” the captain said, then heard something else.
“Very well. Bloodshed before the Festival would be unwise. We have enough of that already. Right then, one of you paladins, assuming you are who you say you are, shall come with us and the lady to be received by the Eisen. I cannot say it’s likely you will have a happy reception. They will expect you to come unarmed.”
The paladins were bristling at the implied threat, and several hands were already dangerously close to their sword belts. Sorore gripped the mug that she was being offered, before Aya sat up and proclaimed to the group.
“Leave two of your men with us, then,” she said.
The captain’s eyes furrowed.
“I don’t wish to second guess you, my lady,” he said, “but why would I do that?”
“Trust,” Aya said, with a side long look at Lillian, “simple. If you leave your men with us, you can’t simply waltz off with me and my friend. Plus, it gives us men who know, and can quickly get around the city, so they can find you whenever they need to.”
The captain considered, and nodded.
“Very well my lady. Two men will be left for the disposal of your party members. But you shall have to come with us, immediately.”
“Me as well,” said Lillian.
“As you wish,” he said, “but you must disarm yourself. That is non-negotiable.”
Lillian was fuming, but unbuckled her belt and handed her armaments to Niche. The legionaries surrounded them, and departed with them out the front of the pyramid. They were left in front of the roaring fire, Kieren sitting beside them holding a considerably more full glass of the amber coloured alcohol.
“You said that this-” Niche began, his face reddened, “you sold us out!”
“Sold you out?” said Kieren incuriously as she swirled the glass around, “sold you out?”
The woman slammed down the glass on one of the nearby table, somehow not breaking it in the process.
“Maybe, you should of told us that you had the granddaughter of Aystara godsdamned Eisen in your retinue? No, forgot that little detail?”
“Okay, can we get this over with?” said Frare, picking at his nails.
“What?” said both the paladin and the trader, staring at the temerity of the youth.
“Blah, blah, we’ve all kept things from eachother,” he said, “so let’s all move on. Who is this ‘Aystara’? Why is she important?”
While Niche gaped at the casual ease from which Frare dismissed the turbulence, the trader seemed to settle.
“Only one of the two most powerful people in the city, young man,” she said, downing a shot from the glass, “between her and Edmund Poutash, it’d be easier to list what they don’t own. The docks, the schools, the farms… if you want an import or export licence? You go through her. You want to own a ship bigger than a rinky-dink fishing boat? You go through her or Potash.”
She finished the glass, and reached for the decanter, and stopped herself.
“And you waltz into the city, and conveniently forget to mention that you have her granddaughter, who hasn’t been in the city ever, if I remember correctly. To say she’d be furious that you didn’t bring the young lady before her immediately would be an understatement. And worse, you dragged us into it.”
“She must be awfully mean - you had nothing to do with us. You just hosted it.”
The woman blinked at the boldfaced remark, and Sorore delivered a good kick to his shins to drive the point home.
“No, no,” she ultimately said, “no I don’t think she’ll do anything to our family, if she believes us. She’s not unreasonable. At least, so I’ve heard. I’ve only met her once, and that was for a brief time. As for what she’ll do to you...”
She gave a pointed look at Niche.
“You tried to hid her granddaughter from her, maybe unintentionally, maybe not. If I were a betting woman, which I’m not, I would say that means trouble. If you want my advice-”
“I don’t,” said Niche, crinkling his noise.
“Don’t be stupid,” said Frare, before he howled at another kick.
Sorore’s face was burning with indignation and embarrassment. This was all too much.
“If you want my advice,” Kieren pressed on, “you’d go find and talk to your commander immediately. I could fetch for him if you wish - I know where Amicio’s home is.”
Niche, through narrowed eyes and clenched teeth, acquiesced.
“Good, now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some letters to send,” she said, “of course, though this has earned you no small amount of displeasure from certain peoples, we’ve been instructed to provide you with house and board for as long as it takes to sort this out. You are still welcome guests and you will be treated as such.”
The tepid truce struck, the children were sent back up to their rooms. Sorore tried to sleep, and managed no more than half an hour before she was woken by her brother.
“The commander’s here,” he said, “he wants to talk to us.”
The commander, looking very tired, but light of step than Sorore had ever seen him, waited by the fire. He was talking with Kieren and the two remaining legionarries in the fast-paced trading tongue of the city, but stopped when he saw the girl come downstairs.
“My lady,” he said, “it seems there’s been a huge misunderstanding.”
She realized that it was his manner of dress which was throwing her off. Instead of his usual worn and thoroughly practical travelling clothes, he wore the long flowing silks of orange and cream. It suited him, matching his calm personality.
“What misunderstanding?” she said.
“Well, we had no idea that our own Aya was the granddaughter of Aystara Eisen herself. I was surprised as anyone. Of course, I knew she was an Eisen, from her mother.”
He looked at Kieren, who looked like she was about to fall asleep.
“But I never imagined that she was a direct descendent of the main house. I thought she was part of the branch, not necessary to cause any fuss, especially during the preparation of the festival. Ah!”
He slapped his head to indicate his shock at the realisation.
“What a terrible mistake I’ve made,” he said, patting the woman’s arm, “this is all on my horrendous lack of judgement. Here’s what’s going to happen, one of these gentlemen and trader Amicio will be vouching for me at the gate. I’m going to the Eisen estate and having a friendly chat with the matriarch, to clear up this misunderstanding.”
Sorore felt at last some suggestion that someone around the city knew what was happening and what they were going to do.
“Here’s what I need you and your brother to do,” Naia said, “I want you to wait and enjoy the hospitality of the madame of the house.”
The term seemed to flatter Kieren, who flushed at the complement. Or that might’ve been the drink, Sorore wasn’t entirely sure.
“Niche, you take care of them. I expect that I might be at the estate for the rest of the night, and possibly onto next afternoon. Things are always so chaotic around the Festival. There’s no reason for you not to attend the festival opening tomorrow, if you can.”
“You want us to attend a festival?” said Niche in disbelief, “right now?”
“Well, not right now, it hasn’t started yet,” said the commander, “but, if Kieren would graciouslly agree to take you as guest of honour, you’d have excellent seats. If that’s not too much to ask, especially after our little debacle.”
Kieren nodded, and affirmed that she wouldn’t mind at all, if the matter was going to be soon cleared up. Sorore was now certain that it wasn’t just alcohol.
“Great. You’re all taken care of, now I’d better explain myself. If you wouldn’t mind,” he said, pointing to the quarter full glass, which Kieren handed to him. The commander downed it all in one, rolled his shoulders, and smiled.
“Don’t worry. It’ll all work out in the end,” he said, “in fact, I would say to enjoy yourselves, as much as you can. And best go back to bed, unless you want to be sleeping during the festival, which, I assure you from experience, you do not.”
Before they could say anything, the commander had swept by them, vanishing out of the front of the pyramid.
“You should heed him,” said Kieren, picking up the decanter and the glass and moving towards the kitchens, “if you’re stuck here for the time being, you might as well enjoy it And that starts with getting good sleep.”
“Last time you said that, we woke up to armed guards,” Niche said flatly.
“Well, I assure you, I’m not boring enough to do that a second time. It would be assassin’s from across the streets, who approach over the rooftops.”
“Do they actually exist?” asked Frare, suddenly excited.
“Oh, I’m sure,” said Kieren as she stowed away her drinking equipment, “but not tonight. Go get some sleep sir paladin, and you two young ones as well. You’ll need it.”
Sorore was cajoled up the steps, Frare coming up after her. Niche seemed placated enough for the time being, though he was clearly unhappy with the outcome. The pleasant dreams neglected to revisit for a second time, but at least the sleep was uninterrupted. When Soroe next awoke, it was a young handmadein, pulling open the screen doors.
“Good morning, my lady,” she said, “how did you sleep?”
“I- well enough, I suppose,” she said, stretching and yawning, before quickly covering her mouth.
The maid had the presence of mind not to notice as she revealed the bright sunlight streaming through the open balcony.
“It must almost be midday!” Sorore exclaimed, leaping out of the bed as she tried to straighten herself.
The maid chuckled as she finished opening up the room.
“Not to fear, my lady,” she said, “it’s customary to sleep into the early afternoon. The Festival does not start until just before sunset, afterall. In fact, you might be earlier than many of the household.”
“Oh,” Soroe said, feeling rather foolish, “Um. Well, I guess I’ll get dressed.”
“Of course. I’ve left out some clothes for you. Madame Kieren suggested that you try clothes from our city. I hope you’ll love them. Do you bathe?”
Sorore wrinkled her nose at the prospect. What kind of question was that?
“Of course I do,” she said.
“Well, there’s a place to bath at the bottom of the pyramid. If you wish to bath alone, you should go now - I’ll bring you clothes for you to change at the waterfront.”
“You bathe together here?” Sorore said
“In the mornings and evenings,” she said, “we do not bring water up into the house if we cannot avoid it. To the stone goes the sea, and to the home goes the sky.”
She looked around, then leaned in with a smile.
“Also, water is very troublesome to carry up all those flights.”
“So just come down to the waterfront?” she said, gathering up what spare things she needed.
“Just follow me, my lady,” said the handmaiden, picking up a pile of clothes and leading her down the stairs.
They emerged onto an inset pool carved into the pyramid interior. A smooth stone deck, with benches and chairs and stacks of towels, as well as several large paper screens, presumably for changing. Sorore was glad to see they were alone, at least for the time being.
At the handmaid, Kiroe’s, direction, she stripped down naked and plunged into the pool. The water was a perfect temperature - cold enough to dispel the last of the grogginess, warm enough to be pleasant to float in. She swam around for a bit, constrained by the relatively small volume, while Kiroe prepared her outfit on the deck.
“Do you mind if I join you?” came a voice from the other end.
Kieren slipped out of a thin morning dress and stepped into the water. Sorore swam over and came to stand beside her.
“Is there any news? About Aya and the commander?” she said, a little too quickly.
Kieren, who’d been sinking into the water with a sigh of contentment, opened one eye.
“Straight to business? Perhaps you are better suited to the city than I thought.”
Sorore tried to smile, but her concern was betrayed, judging by the woman’s softening of expression.
“My knowledge is limited. My uncle is serving as our representative for now. Sounds like your commander was at least allowed to make his case to the Eisen. He made note of one other companion of yours.”
“Oh? Who?” she said, pushing out into the pool, feeling the water surge over her shoulders.
“A man in black clothes,” she said, “who hides his face behind a mask. He was there for the meeting.”
“The mage?” said Sorore, before considering that she maybe shouldn’t have mentioned it.
“A mage?” said Kieren, before submerging herself in the water.
She tossed her hair back as she came back up, spraying water in a neat arc.
“Well, that explains his odd demeanour,” she said, “now, regrettably, that’s all the time I have today for bathing. I will see you at the festival.”
“Hello cousin! May I join- oh,” came a voice from the steps leading out.
It was Ivers, dressed in nothing but a loose robe, which was already half-way off his body, sculpted with muscle from hauling rope and tackle. Sorore stifled a gasp and turned away, trying not to redden.
“I can come back later,” he offered.
“Do you mind?” Kieren said to Sorore, “if you do, it’d be best to finish soon and let others bathe.”
“No, no,” she said, waving her host away.
Kiero had warned her, after all. It would be best to become accustomed to the strange ways of this beautiful city. Besides, it’s not like she hadn’t bathed before in the company of men her age back home. She cursed herself for being so self-conscious, and forced herself to turn around.
“Are you sure? I can leave if you want, it’s not-” Ivers began.
“No, it’s fine. It’s fine,” Sorore said, smiling at him, “it’d be good to have companionship.”
“Well, then, Ivers, I trust you’ll behave yourself,” said Kieren rising from the water.
“Of course, cousin,” Ivers said, casting his eyes to the floor.
Sorore tried not to take a wicked pleasure at the blush that crept across his dark complexion.
“Oh, one more thing,” whispered her host, bending over to the girl, “it’s considered polite to not look when they’re outside the water.”
Kieren laughed at Sorore’s own furious blush as she made for one of the poolside changing screens.
[←Chapter 63] [Cover Art] [My Links] [Index] [Discord] [Subreddit] [Chapter 65→]