Drinking alcohol while taking metformin

Kiss impress press on nails. I’m pretty hard on my nails as I’ve got a toddler and an infant, and with the proper prep I get a solid week+ out of nails. I like to change designs frequently and touch up my cuticles, so I don’t mind a weekly change. I’ve seen other users say that they’ll use nail glues with the press on tabs and get even longer out of nails. My goal here is to be gentle on my natural nail while they’re growing, so I don’t opt for using nail glue.
I’m currently growing my nails and nail beds, as I’ve spent a long time as a nail biter and have not successfully grown my nails out before giving up and getting extensions at a salon, which always annihilate my nail beds, causing the cycle to repeat. I think I’ve finally broken the cycle!!
Prep:
Layout/arrange nails that fit your nail bed to have them ready.
I don’t use a water soak. Apply Blue Cross cuticle remover to remove excess cuticle and push down proximal nail fold.
Gently buff nail bed & file length slightly if free edge has grown a lot past bed. This allows nail bed to replenish without natural nail bending too much. The nail bed takes so much longer to grow.
Clean nail with rubbing alcohol on a qtip.
Go over nail with a dehydrator. I use Gelish pH bond.
One coat of nail strengthener. I use OPI nail envy.
Before nail strengthener fully dries, apply the press on nails firmly for several seconds.
That’s it! I have seen such healthy growth in the past few weeks when typically I’d have peeling at this point and have to cut down my pointers and middles.
Hope this helps someone else 🙂

I'm currently in Mammoth Lakes (Sunday, June 2).
If you need anything while you're in town - rides, suggestions, support, whatever - let me know (either here or on Instagram).
Don't forget that Ridge Merino gives free beer to hikers and they have a hiker box as well.
For those further south (who probably can't see this due to lack of service). I have a campsite reserved at Onion Valley (the trailhead east of Kearsarge Pass) from Monday June 3 through Friday June 7. I'll be there with snacks, drinks, chairs, and a vehicle.
PCT hikers are welcome to stay at my site (Site 4) in case you're thinking of hiking out late over Kearsarge or heading back to trail late.
I'll probably be doing at least one shuttle per day to Independence or Bishop depending on foot traffic. If you need a ride back to Onion Valley from somewhere on the each side one of these days, let me know.
Make good decisions and don't die out there, friends ❤️
PS: There has been some confusion about the Red's Meadow Shuttle. It doesn't start running until June 7 (i.e., it's not currently running) and it will only run Friday, Saturday, Sunday - $15 cash. It ends September 8. More info here. You can still walk the road to/from Red's Meadow if you're keen and don't want to exit over Mammoth Pass. There's a free bus at Main Lodge (at the top of the road) that will take you into town.
The Lakes Basin - where you exit via Mammoth Pass - has free public transportation to town and the road is now open to private vehicles.

Not sure if this is OK to post, but has anyone got any experience with a blood clot in the spleen? Not even sure how It happened, was drinking 2500 cals of alcohol a day for a fair while, sober now 58 days. Is doing weights OK? Any advice? Really hoping I'm in the right place as I was on a bunch of painkillers in hospital and don't really remember much that was said when being discharged or during.
Hope you're all doing well.

I can't honestly tell you how it escalated so quickly. We've never screamed at each other in the 5 years we've been together. But yesterday went off the rails quick and hard.
It started after I got off of work around noon. He had been napping with the baby while I worked. When they woke up, the baby walked over to grab me and bring me to the kitchen for lunch. I decided to make lunch for him since my husband had been with him all morning and give my husband a chance to go to the bathroom and wake up fully. Earlier in the week, I'd made my son a waffle and husband told me to not let it cook all the way cause the baby doesn't like it crunchy. So yesterday I popped the waffle early to keep it from toasting too much. When I pulled it out, it felt fine and solid but not toasted. By the time I put PB and jelly on it, one side (the side with jelly) had gotten super soggy and cold.
I couldn't put it back in the toaster so i handed it to my son who admittedly struggled with that side but was still making an effort. My husband came out, saw the baby and immediately said, You undercooked it. I thought he was being silly and I honestly didn't think it was a big deal. I reminded him of what he told me earlier and explained how eyeballing a waffle in a pop-up toaster isn't an exact science. He just kept criticizing the waffle and saying the baby was struggling to eat it. Finally I got fed up and said, Fine, Dad can make the waffles from now on. He said, I will.
I put the peanut butter away and slammed the cabinet closed. This is the first time he raised his voice, demanding why I was acting like this and why I was incapable of controlling myself? I said nothing and walked away. Then I made remarks about working 6 days a week and how he always seems irritated on Saturdays. He always denies this but his face constantly looks angry on Saturdays. He storms into the room and continues the argument. I had previously poured myself a glass of wine and had one sip. He accused my behavior of being because I had been drinking. "Maybe its the alcohol." I pour the wine back into the bottle and show him how it's effectively still full. I stop everything and get the baby ready to go to the grocery store. I switch car seats from his car to my car. When I come back inside, he says he's not letting me take the baby and he's concerned about my state of mind. All I can hear at this point is my ex-husband, throwing my mental health past in my face to discredit any position I would try to take. I feel angry and powerless and I think something snapped. By the time we are "done", he has climbed onto the couch between us to stand above me, screaming at me. I start crying, shake my head, and run out of the house and just start driving. I was trembling from head to toe. During my drive, some part of me decided to hate my husband and essentially demand a divorce. What I think he's failed to understand is I grew up in a house with domestic violence and when someone raises their voice around me, especially men and especially in anger, I shut down.
I know this is excessive. I know he is not violent. He never has been. But at this time, I can only think of how happy I would be to never see him again for the rest of my life. I don't want him near me. I don't even want to look him in the face. His response has been an apology but also saying that it wouldn't have happened if he hadn't been provoked. I've been so jumpy since yesterday. He pulled off his ring and asked if I wanted to end our marriage. I said yes, since he pressed the issue repeatedly. If he tries to process this with me, I can't trust myself to be rational. Am I wrong to expect at least a bit of space?
I know this was long. Thanks for reading it if you made it this far.
Tl;dr: Husband and I got into an argument, and it escalated to the point of triggering past DV experiences. Now he wants us to talk about it and I just want to tell him to fuck off.

So I'm (30)and have been seeing a girl (23) for the past 6 months. Previously I have had three relationships, and out which last two ended up me getting cheated on by them. Both these cases involved alcohol and drugs. The last relationship really took a toll on me, as it lasted 3 years and I was gonna marry her. After that one I was really done with relationships, but that's when I met the current girl. She was so mature for her age, she has had a 6 year relationship before and she got cheated on as well. We clicked, and I have told all my past stories without excluding any detail. The thing I got attracted to her was that, she was single for 2 years after her past relationship and she's an introvert living in a party city. She had a fair share of guys hitting on her and had every opportunity to become a fuckgirl in the past two years but didn't. She drinks very occasionally, not around strangers and definitely not during office parties. But when I visit her, we drink occasionally, that's when she gets really drunk when she's with me. Also we have had a lot of sober dates, so things are really going good. So 3 days back her best friend Jenna visited her. Jenna is the only person she drinks with other than me. She visits her very rarely. The thing is, Jenna is cheating on her current boyfriend who she claims to be toxic, with some other guy. Although my girl was asking her to breakup with the current bf, she couldn't accept the fact that her best friend is cheating on someone. She was really uncomfortable with that and she confronted her about this to which Jenna said she needs time to breakup but will do it for sure. Upon hearing this I felt really bad cus I've been on the other end. So last night she and jenna bought a bottle of vodka, had some drinks at home and went for clubbing. They were drunk and tipsy but she was texting me before. My girl knowing she can't handle alcohol well, I told her to be careful. Later around 1 am I texted her did you reach home safe to which she replied "we were supposed to go back home but Jenna took me to some of her friends and now Jennas at their house drinking". She doesn't know them very well, so she refrained from drinking, but she was a lil drunk from all the previous drinks. Flashes of my previous relationships struck me hard, which almost had the same scenario. She send me snaps and updated me the exact scenario even though I didn't ask for it. 2 hours later she texted me she reached home. I didn't talk much and I said okay. I'm in my 30s and I don't wanna fuck around this time and don't wanna be fooled again. She's clearly mentioned at the start that she is not a casual hookup person, infact I'm the first person she's had sex with, she's never had it in her previous relationship. The point is she felt different to all the girls I've Previously dated. About me, I've always been 100% sincere in my previous relationships, so I don't want anyone to take my love for granted this time. How do I confront her about this, there is nothing she doesn't know about me and she clearly knows my triggers. We haven't had the talk yet, as I'm planning to do it after Jenna leaves.

Hi! I am looking for couple playtesters for system I am working on. If this post is up, that means I am still searching, most likely even if you have somehow found this post in months or years.
REGARDING THE SYSTEM

• Uses d10+Modifiers vs DC. Involves explosive dice.
• The system tracks Health, Injuries, Diseases, Stress, Focus, Afflictions, Hunger, Thirst and Stamina.
• Stress mechanic as primary driver of emergent gameplay. Spending money for spa is important.
• Stress mechanic as way to flesh out character. It is up to players decision whether cheap watered wine increases or lowers their stress.
• Skill Based rather than class based. Classes serve only to give starting set of skill, equipment and traits.
• Magic uses pre written spells, similar to DnD. Spells can be fuelled using Stamina, Health, Items, Aura, Stress, or Memories. Cultists sacrifice people specifically to attain a lot of magical power quickly for their rituals.
• Spells can be improvised, meaning that if pre written spell exists, a mage can cast it at higher DC, even without learning it.
• Stance Based Combat system with dismemberment and lethal damage.
• Invention system, for engineers who wish to invent gunpowder, or clockwork mechanism (Or artificial way of casting magic)
• Character Card stretching over 13 pages.

The system is meant to be generic, set in timeframe between vaguely medieval to vaguely industrial age. Combat is deadly, and while detailed, meant to be avoided. I am currently lacking prewritten spells, items, crafting recipes, or character backstories, meaning that I would make them from scratch on demand.
WHAT KIND OF PLAYERS I AM LOOKING FOR

• The kind that find enjoyment in detailed overview of their characters.
• Farmers, Crafters, Engineers, Mercenaries, Mages, Necromancers and Mad Scientists.
• The kind that enjoys playing with spreadsheets.
• You looked at pathfinder and felt "I want more numbers".
• You seek emergent gameplay based on some mechanical need, such as travelling to the smith to fix your sword, seeking doctor for some sickness, becoming more paranoid after traumatic event, or drinking some alcohol because you just seen an eldritch abomination and while risky, it might make you feel better.

WHAT I AM OFFERING

• I will accommodate your character concept.
• While I do plan to first run you through pre-existing module, I would be happy to give you more sandbox experience.
• Let me know your character magnum opus, and we will try to seek it. Whether it is eternal life, becoming a dragon, inventing artificial intelligence, or becoming a king, the plot will strive towards it.

Hello all, this is a post inspired by u/Missile_Sandwich and their post: https://www.reddit.com/PrimarchGFs/comments/1d65l73/he_wont_last_long/ which gave me the idea of asking you all these questions in regards to the female Primarchs getting pregnant. So please feel free to pick one or multiple Primarchs and think of:

1. How would the Primarchs react to learning they are pregnant?
2. How would everyone else (Their Legion, The Emperor, Etc.) react to learning they are pregnant?
3. How bad would their mood swings/cravings be?
4. How long would it take the Apothecaries to heal their SOs hips?
5. How would they handle learning they are having more than one child, such as twins or triplets?
6. What kind of parent would they end up being to the child?

To start us off, I will give my own take on these in regards to Kassandra Kurze being the one pregnant.

1. Shock. Complete and utter dumbfounded shock as they wonder if their Vox devices are malfunctioning, or if something is wrong with their ears as they process the fact that Kassandra, The Night Haunter, is the first of their number to be with child.

They then feel something akin to respect to Kassandra's Beacon for the sheer balls it takes to do what they have done, though it is also mixed no small amount of pity as they realize just what form of hell said Beacon is going to endure not only over the course of her pregnancy, but also afterwards.
That is the moment they also realize that they will be Aunts, which makes them feel rather complicated feelings, namely a mixture of happiness at having a natural born niece or nephew along with the dread of just what form of hell a child born to Kassandra Kurze will raise over the course of their life.
A more detailed answer is:
Aurelia prays for the sake of the universe, she then decides that she will not let her sister be the only one pregnant as she sets off to make Slaanesh take notes on what she does to her Little Light.
Magna tries to scry into the future to see how fucked everyone is, she gives up eventually and decides that she will fortify the hell out of Prospero and then try and one up her sister.
Fulgrim...Fulgrim...Yeah she is not going to take that lying down. Her Muse is likely not going to be leaving her chambers for several weeks...or months as she also makes Slaanesh wonder how the hell she is not one of her Daemonettes.
She also paints a series of apocalyptic portraits inspired by the mental images that run through her mind when she wonders what her nieces/nephews will do, during the moments where she needs to let her Muse take a breather.
Freya, after she is done drinking herself into a stupor to try and forget the news along with her legion, the entire planet they are on joining in as they all try and wake up from what must surely be a nightmare, only to realize it is not a nightmare and that they are in fact in a timeline where the Night Haunter will have children.
She also decides that fuck it, she is not letting her sister be the only one to bring new additions to their family, something her Slayer is stuck helping her with as Freya shows just how feral she can be when it comes to intercourse in pursuit of breeding.
Atlanta...it is one of the few times the Nails seem to malfunction as she is able to feel genuine shock, unease, and a looming sense of horror at what may happen to the universe as she holds her Rose like a teddy bear to try and keep the nightmares away when she is not breaking both their hips and the bed.
The Twins are running around trying to make sure that their lover and them will be safe, failsafe after failsafe being prepared in case they need to vanish, all while taking turns with their own lover, not quite certain why they want a child, but knowing that they do.
Lion is busy making sure her Legion and their base are as prepared and fortified as possible, the training of both her Squire and her Legion is taken to a new level as they try to make ready for the approaching storm that a Mini Kassandra could bring.
Does she want a child of her own? Maybe, but that can take a back seat till she is certain that they will survive the coming storm.
Petra and her Assistant are currently building a planet sized fortress with the Iron Warriors, their shared horror uniting them in making the most fortified position in the galaxy as they layer trap after trap and wall after wall in the hopes of creating something to serve as their hiding place.
The Lady of Iron may feel jealous of her sister and have her own desire for a child now, but she wants a safe place to hide within first.
Sanguinia is happy for her sister, she is also stockpiling every singly slate and scroll she can find on psychology to make sure the child does not become like their mother, even as she tries to help Kassandra cope with the news.
She is torn between wanting a child of her own, and not doing so out of fear of them inheriting her curse and being condemned due to it, though said fear has not stopped her from taking her lover as much as she can.
Ferra has begun to build up a stockpile of power armor and weapons as she tries to make certain they can weather the storm, her Iron Heart having to reign her in and keep her from working herself to death as she designs dreadnought sized suits of armor to hide away with her lover within, any desire for a child pushed aside till she feels they are safe.
Cora has begun trying to find any form of stealth technology that can remove her and her Nightingale from the physical world, or at the very least the most well hidden planet that she can, so that they will have a safe place to hide away on.
Once she finds such a place, then she can try and have a child of her own, but that can wait for when they find a means of cloaking the entire planet.
Hestia has not left her forge since she heard the news, at first it was to make some gifts for her coming nieces/nephews, then, once they were done, it became a matter of creating the most powerful armor and arms that she can, her legion having joined in to make certain they will not be caught unprepared.
She has also been putting the Apothecaries through their paces due to how many times her Wyrmheart has had their spine and pelvis shattered.
Hathor has spent her time after learning the news dealing with the sheer influx of diplomats from various segmentums that have come to beg asylum and peace with the Imperium, her and Juno, along with their Consort and Centurion, having been so swamped with their work of ordering these seemingly unending additions they have had no time to even think of children of their own.
Morrigan and her Lily have begun contemplating ways of vanishing from the Imperium even as the Death Guard try and create some form of chemical that will repel miniature Kurze's, the intimacy between Morrigan and her Lily being more to deal with the stress than a desire for children, though she would not complain.
Alakhai has begun building the fastest ships she can conceive of, her legion pitching in to insure that if it comes to it they can hotfoot it from one end of the galaxy to another without the need for going through the warp.
Her Whirlwind has also been dealing with stress relief duty, along with the Primarch's growing desire for children of her own.
Regalia has begun making sure that the fortress of her Legions world will be genuinely impregnable, not even an ant shall be able to enter the walls of it without setting off enough alarms to wake half the galaxy, her lover having guided the legion to trap every single inch of it that they can as the labyrinthian fortress rises.
She can deal with any thought of children once she has made certain her home cannot be breached...and when she learns where they come from.

1. The Night Lords reaction is a mixture of awe, shock, and horror as they realize that by some form of Warp Fuckery there is a very real chance of there being multiple miniature versions of their mother running around the ship at one point in the near future.

They also have taken to saluting the Beacon every time they see them, along with having severely stepped up security around them in fear of what would happen should anything happen to them.
The Emperor and Malcador share the same reaction, they both pause in what they are doing and share a single look of genuine horror as they begin to make their own plans to try and mitigate the damage that is likely to occur.
The Four have ceased their squabbling and begun to fortify their domains, Nurgle has risen walls of miasma and plague that could melt flesh around his Garden even as he works to make more to act as a shield against the nightmare to come.
Slaanesh, between her notetaking, has begun to make certain that her rings cannot be breached, her daemons having been put to work erecting traps and fortifications wherever they can, along with seducing more and more to act as meat shields or offerings to keep the storm at bay.
Tzeentch has begun to make plan after plan to survive, his Impossible Fortress having grown more and more labyrinthian as he tries to see a future where he will survive the the potential nightmare to come, though such a thing seems dimmer and dimmer with each day.
Khorne has begun to ready his armies, his worlds are becoming more and more fortified as his daemons sharpen their fangs and claws and swords upon one another such that they will be able to meet the threat head on in what will likely be the most blood-soaked clash in history.
And in the dark, Malice has begun to plan and scheme...its laughter making the Four hurry in their efforts of fortifications.

1. Yes...Just yes. Kassandra switches from depressed sobbing and wailing over the slightest of things, to tearing apart her own Legion with her bare hands over that same matter, the Night Lords having since began to pray day and night that their legion survives the pregnancy.

As for her cravings...I will not elaborate, just know that it is going to be...interesting.

1. They nearly gave up. The Apothecaries of the Night Lords nearly gave up on trying to heal the Beacon before they realized that without them to help take the edge off of her stress and reign her in, their mother would likely slaughter most of the galaxy before the child arrives.

And so after several days, they manage to heal them and send them off as a sacrificial lamb with salutes and pats on their shoulder.

1. That is the moment that the Galaxy froze, as from the Ruinous Powers of the Four, to the Emperor, to the Aeldari seers, feel nothing but sheer terror as they all switch gears to panic mode, an unofficial truce forming as all try and fortify themselves.

The Night Lords have gone from being the most feared legion, to being the most pitied in the galaxy as all learn just how fucked they are, something that they genuinely agree with.

1. Helicopter parent on steroids. She will not let her child walk the same path as her, there will not be another Night Haunter, not so long as she draws breath, she will make certain that they never endure what she did on Nostromo, no matter the cost.

She will flay entire star systems to scare all others into horrified compliance, even as she spends her nights rubbing her stomach with tears in her eyes, whispering how she will always protect her child, and how they will never need to know fear so long as she lives.
That is what I have, how about all of you?

you HAVE to know that Jaquan is not spending the rest of his life with you😂 at some point this little delusional lala land that you’re in is gonna come to an end & when it does you’ll go right back to being the miserable insecure wrinkly dummy that you are because your happiness will always revolve around a man and never your kid. Just you wait until you’re the one taking care of Gigi all alone day in & day out while he’s out eating steak and having drinks everyday with another BM then maybe you’ll see how ridiculous you look. Your karma is coming soon boo😂😂 you’re literally so excited that you’re getting fucked by a man that you’re taking care of who ALSO left you after you gave birth to his kid lmfaooooo just so hype that you got “picked” and “finally have a family” but you really don’t have shit but issues. That vitamin D will turn into an STD real quick

I just turned 22 this year. Don’t know how or why I’ve made it this far in life. I’ve been miserable since I was born. My dad abused me physically, emotionally my mother abused and manipulated me emotionally and spiritually. I have never known peace ever. Sexually assaulted and molested by boys in the 1st grade cousins and my mom’s ex fiancé, constantly bullied or not liked in school every year until I graduated and gained an ED in middle school causing me to gain so much weight and not knowing what to do. Then developed HS which is a skin condition when I was 13 after my body hit a high stress point and puberty so I live in pain every single day. Graduated in 2020 so I lost my prom, senior trip, so many things. Dropped out of college due to depression and truly didn’t know what to do. I have tried to kill myself now 6 times and every single time I feel more miserable and more helpless. I’m homeless haven’t eaten in I don’t know how long at this point and I’ve been in an endless cycle of this since I was 19.
My parents won’t let me back home due to religious differences and mainly because my stepdad doesn’t want me to. My dad died in 2015 when I was 13 and that has really changed so much in my life including my emotional regulation. I developed bpd and my dad was bipolar. Now I struggle with taking shit lightly or even being able to calm down in a frantic state. I’ve cut off and fucked up every relationship I had or I was just tossed out because they didn’t like me. I don’t feel worthy of living anymore because I’m 22 and have nothing to show for it.
I’m actively watching as my middle school bullies aka the girls who ruined my life, have amazing lives and opportunities. Modeling, clothing lines, and even going to great schools. I don’t have anything or anyone but the bitches who made my life a literal living hell have everything they want. There was a time when my mom was still engaged to the man who molested me, I went to school he had given me money for snacks. Well I didn’t get any and planned on stopping for some while I walked home that day. I got on the bus and sat alone as always put my headphones in played my music. Well the girls who always bothered me on the bus started acting strangely kind saying they liked my purse. It was a $5 purse from the thrift store. They asked if they could see it and my dumbass gave it to them no questions asked. Well as I was walking home I dug through my purse to get the money so I could get snacks upon realizing it wasn’t there I freaked out and cried the whole way home. He had specifically told me to bring him back whatever change. When I was in middle school all my siblings were in different schools so I was always home first. He always got off work 10 mins after I got home. I went upstairs to change and still was upset and kinda in shock from what I felt would happen. Well, he came home drunk as he always did after work and came right upstairs asking for the change. I started crying and saying don’t walk in I’m naked because I was still changing he walked in anyway I said they stole the money and this man beat me with his belt while I was naked. 12 years old. Proceed to rub me and kiss me and told me to get dressed and stand downstairs with my arms held up as a punishment. Every day of my life was even more miserable after that and those same girls are living amazing or better than me in general.
I’ve been beat up by men and boys my whole life I’m worthless and not worthy of any love. That’s why I was born. To show people what they don’t want to be. I don’t feel I was born for any other purpose than to be people emotional and physical punching bag. I have an alcohol and weed problem now. I have issues with over indulging in giving people stuff. A man owes me 1400 and hasn’t given it to me and I gave him that when I was on my last and took it out of my savings. Now I’m homeless no house no car no nothing because of him. I’ve been trying to take responsibility for my life but it’s the little things that’s broke me and led up to this. I’m aware people have been through worse which makes this 10x more pathetic. I now struggle with borderline personality disorder, manic depression, anxiety, and PTSD.I think I’ll really just go ahead and end it.

I’m posting from a throwaway about this, but it’s been bothering my wife and I for a while.
My wife (24F) and I (24F) live multiple states away from our families and seldomly get vacation time to ourselves. We took approximately 1.5 weeks off to attend my brother’s graduation and related festivities, including a vacation. This vacation was supposed to only involve myself, my wife, my father, and my brother when we originally agreed to it. However, when my father booked the house, he invited his girlfriend, her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend (19F and 21M). My father has been dating this girl on-and-off for 12 years, and she has had a history of making comments about my brother and I, and my dad has made it known in the past that she did not like my wife, leading to other issues. Historically, family trips involving her have not worked well, but since we have not seen my dad and my brother for almost half a year, we decided to go anyways. My dad paid for the house, and we had an agreement to bring all of the alcohol (beer and liquor) for those of us that were going to be drinking. My dad’s girlfriend handled the groceries.
The house for the vacation was 4 bedrooms. It featured a masters (which my dad and his girlfriend were going to stay in). A room full of bunk beds with a separate bathroom. And two rooms upstairs. The two rooms upstairs (a larger one with a balcony and a smaller one) shared a small bathroom. We originally were going to stay in one of the rooms upstairs with my brother staying in the other so that we could share the bathroom (the daughter of his girlfriend has had a history of fighting with female college roommates over shared bathrooms, and we thought that this was the best option to avoid any conflict that could happen). When my dad arrives to the vacation home, he mentions that my brother should take the bunk room and that the daughter of his girlfriend and her boyfriend should stay in one of the upper rooms to share a bathroom with us, but we said that it was okay and we opted for the bunk room instead so that my brother could have a larger room for his graduation trip (and to avoid a potential bathroom conflict). When my dad’s girlfriend’s daughter and her boyfriend arrived, my brother’s stuff was moved out of the larger room and he ended up having to move to the smaller adjoining bedroom anyways.
The bunk room turned out to be a uncomfortable for my wife and I. After spending 16+ hours driving for the trip and spending on gas and alcohol, this left my wife a bit frustrated so she stayed in the room the rest of the night to cool off. I joined her to sleep during the evening, and we got an extremely poor night of rest. In addition to this, the bathroom was connected to my father’s bathroom by a door, and the walls were extremely thin, leaving no privacy. My wife and I talked about it in the next morning, and decided that it was best to just rent a separate house that was a 1 minute walk down the road/beach so that we could still be close, but to spread out and have our own private space for the evenings.
After booking the house, and communicating to him that we were uncomfortable and are going to just have our own space to come to at night, he was irate. The same night, I found out from his girlfriend’s daughter that he was going to leave the next morning a week early without telling us. Knowing that he was threatening to leave the next morning, I walked over to his vacation house and asked him to talk alone with me about the situation. He was extremely drunk, said that my wife was at fault for staying in the room to cool off on the first night, and said that we disrespected him for booking a different house next to his. He called me a follower and other mean names (he assumed that it was my wife’s decision to book a different house), and said that he would not ever have anything to do with her again. I communicated to him again that we wanted to spread out and be comfortable for vacation while visiting them in addition to avoiding any conflict with rooms. I apologized to him for any disrespect that we have caused and after an hour or two things calmed down and the family vacation was salvaged.
After this event, no one mentioned it for the remainder of the week and things were okay for the most part. My wife apologized the next day and things were relatively smooth. Were we in the wrong for booking another house close by? We brought alcohol and left it in my dad’s vacation house as agreed, but were blamed for ruining the trip when we booked a neighboring place. Things were significantly less rocky by the end of the trip, but I still would like to have some external input to see if we went about things the wrong way.
Thanks!

Today is the last day of this cycle. I have been thinking about my life and want to “get it together.” I recently got a new job within my company and want to lay the foundations for a better life before I start. I have been drinking daily for three years straight. I stopped for a few weeks last January but didn't have the resolve. I enjoy drinking, but I'm not taking care of myself, and I know that I am damaging my future.
I'm going to start naltrexone for alcoholism There is a chance that it can also help me lose weight, which should help me kick start on my new path.
I plan to start the medication, take one week off from work before my new job starts, clean my room, and organize my chaos. I will also exercise for 30 minutes a day for the next 6months
To hold myself accountable, I will regularly post Reddit progress updates, pictures, and videos
I plan to start the medication tomorrow night with my nightly medication regimine
I am a 27 F that has not stepped on a scale in almost a year Based on the way my clothes it I assume that I weigh around 250 pounds

(Throw away account)
How f*cked am I?
Absolutely know and own what happened, I've been trying to get sober for a while now and could have killed someone. I don't care about myself as far as punishment goes... just looking for a little advice. I'm in Arkansas.
DWI - first
Reckless Driving
Speeding - More than 15mph over the speed limit (122 in a 55)
Failure to Register Vehicle (Will be taken care of before court (new car)
Open container
Will hire a lawyer, but at most I'm just hoping for the "diversion" program/probation if possible. It will not happen again. I have a hearing for the temporary license next month as I need my vehicle for work. I've already signed up for the MADD Victim Impact Panel, signing up for the DWI classes next week and plan to take a defensive driving course all before my court hearing. I'm starting AA next week and plan on trying to get some community service done, but it looks like in my area, the only community service that works for the court has to be assigned by the court beforehand.
ANOTHER thing. So I had some rights violated a few months ago for a disorderly conduct charge (surprise, surprise). My lawyer got it dropped and apparently it's a SLAM dunk lawsuit against the officer and department. The lawsuit is already filed... and it's the SAME police department.
I don't drink often anymore, but have had some serious substance abuse issues in the past and need the AA/sobriety anyway.

Hello, I'm looking for advice. One of my wisdom teeth on the left side of my lower jaw, has seemingly impacted on my mola has only partially come through the gums, leaving a small opening that food has gotten trapped in a few times(I have/ had a crowded mouth that was treated with braces in my childhood).
Admittedly, until the last 7 months or so my dental hygiene has been very poor, and I haven't seen a dentist in upwards of ten years. I have since decided to rectify that and have an appointment to see a dentist this Wednesday, that I've been waiting a few months for. However when brushing my teeth last night I noticed that the gums around the aforementioned wisdom tooth are looking slightly inflamed, and when I put pressure on them, pus started leaking from the opening. I assume it's infected.
I'm already scheduled to see a dentist on Wednesday as I said (it's early Monday morning for me), but stories of sepsis and infections spreading to the brain have me feeling extremely anxious. I don't know how long the infection has been present, but several weeks ago I started noticing persistent bad breath that I now believe was the infection beginning .
Other than the pus and inflammation I have no other symptoms, pain, etcetera. There is also no visible swelling on the outside of my face. But I am especially concerned because I'm a Type 1 Diabetic. I do not drink, and am an ex-smoker (quit a year or so ago)
My question is, is this something that can wait three days given my lack of symptoms (and pre-existing medical condition), or should I go to the emergency department and get antibiotics ASAP? Thank you for any advice.
I would attach a photo but I don't want to make the site of the infection worse by pressing on it, and it's difficult for me to take a photo of it while doing that anyway.

18m. To give a background, I had some allergy issues when I was a kid, and I remember I used to cough and sneeze a lot in class in elementary, but I never had any of these current issues. I currently weigh 267 pounds, I'm 5'10, caucasian.
My problem is more or less exactly the title. Ever since I got through Covid about a year and a half ago, every day I've had to cough up mucus consistently. I feel quite horrible when I wake up, especially if I've got that area moving from just swallowing. It's my main motivator to get out of bed. The mucus/phlegm itself is usually a kind of thick, white, bubbly/foamy, and sometimes there are what look like brown clumps in it. I did go to the doctor for this a while back, when I started noticing these problems.
At the time, I was having trouble breathing and just couldn't get a deep breath in. My doctor checked my breathing with a stethoscope, summed it up to be because of my allergies, then basically lectured my mom for taking me to the doctor and wasting money on this issue she was supposed to have known about and I could barely understand him because his accent was so thick. He told me it might be drainage from my nose. Anyway, I started taking Claritin for it and it only helped my sinuses, not my mucus/phlegm issue.
Flash forward to a month ago, I started noticing some difficulty eating solid foods. Currently, I can't eat most of anything without a drink, and even then it doesn't feel right. the way I can describe it is almost fear or feeling, and I don't want to test it. it feels like if I try to swallow a bite of food, I'm going to choke. I had to take nibbles of steak to feel safe enough to swallow that. I tried eating a very small bowl of cereal recently and didn't even finish that. Think of taking pills, and how the water helps you get the pill down. I'm doing that but with everything and the food has to be small enough to be carried away easily. Foods like noodles, however, I can get down. I occasionally still feel a little scared of choking, but the softer foods are my only option.
I'm seriously wanting to go to the doctor soon about both of these problems, but I figured I'd get a second, or third, or fourth, or fifth...
If I do go to the doctor, should I cough stuff out prior or hold onto it for examination or something? I'm sure you can guess I've never gone to the doctor enough.

over the last few months i have spent endless time trying to work on myself and improving my relationship for the better. in that time, i've struggled, and now i feel like i'm doing my partner an injustice. our relationship is far from perfect or ideal and we maturely recognize that, but we still love each other and support each other. however, it's not all so glitz and glamor as i stated. I've given up literally everything for them, and now I fear that because I have nothing left to give, they're getting more and more angry and frustrated with me as time goes on. Arguing over stupid shit that tends to drive a huge wedge between us because "I'll never understand" or that "im pathetic." Words spoken before. Amongst many other hurtful words. But I have no room to be mad or upset, it's up to me to deescalate the situation and kiss their feet and make it okay. If I don't, im the problem. I've given up friends, hobbies, family members, my biggest dreams and aspiration, my goals, my self care, my mental state, all to uphold this person so that they can thrive. And now the wells run dry. I can't do things of my own accord, they must always involve them or benefit them in some way. I hardly take a shower because it takes time away from them and they can't stand it. I'm tired, they can't stand it. I don't want to eat or drink, they can't stand it. I'm involved with anyone else, they can't stand it. Don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of love there, I wish to love them. But I've given so much of myself, that I'm not who i was or aim to be. We even got this app lately, where we find new friends, yet they monitor it and I just leave it alone. I sometimes think about wishing they would just b/u with me so that we can live our separate lives unhurt. I refuse to be the one to leave, all while they refuse to do the same. I don't want to leave but I don't want to lose myself entirely, though I fear I've already done so. They're also in a rough mental state and I want to help them through it, because they don't really have anybody else, but it's not even out of pity, I genuinely want to see them grow and help in any way I can. I do have a deep love for them. But in that, I've lost myself and in turn I can't love myself. I need help.

First Previous Patreon Royal Road is up to chapter 30!
“FUCK YOU BOAR” Mark said triumphantly as he raised his arms up above his head in the shape of a V “Did you see that, Noah?” Mark looked to his cousin and noticed that he was struggling to prop himself up off the ground “Oh crap sorry, I got a bit too carried away there.”
“It’s fine, you did a great job. Now, let’s get out of here before the other two boars show up and decide to avenge their fallen comrade.” Noah began limping in the direction of the boar and put it away in his artifact. He couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t get a kill notification for that boar… “Hmmm?” in the corner of his vision, a bell icon suddenly materialized. It shook and enlarged as if it was ringing. He mentally pressed the ringing bell and out came a cascade of notifications.
Spell [Waterball] has leveled up!
Skill [Water Manipulation] has leveled up!
**Spell [Waterball] has leveled up!**
**Skill [Air Manipulation] has leveled up!**
**Skill [Mana Sense] has leveled up!**
**Skill [Analyze] has leveled up!**
**Spell [Fireball] has leveled up!**
**Spell [Air Bullet] has leveled up!**
**Spell [Air Bullet] has leveled up!**
You have killed Boar – lvl 3
**You have leveled up! You have 9 status points to spend!**
It was dizzying to see so many notifications so he swiped them all away intending to manage it all when they got back to their base. He started walking lamely towards the direction of the apartment building when Mark came and helped him walk.
“I can heal you while we trek through the forest.” Mark activated his skills, first, he cast his innate skill [Diagnosis] which halved all mana cost for healing skills while also identifying the specific problem, which in this case was a hairline fracture across the tibia, he then cast [Mend Wounds] and [Heal] in quick succession. Mark repeatedly cast his three skills over and over while they were walking until, a half hour later when Noah could finally walk well enough on his own
“Magic truly is miraculous. A fracture that should’ve taken a few weeks to heal on its own in the old world, healed in just half an hour.” Noah said admiringly “I told you you’d save my life one day, I just didn’t expect it to be this soon.”
“Yeah, yeah, you were right again mister right all the time. Now shush, I don’t want another random beast coming out of the tall grass while I’m almost out of mana.”
With that, Noah and Mark proceeded silently towards their destination. As they trudged along across the forest they heard a cacophony of animal noises, it was honestly kind of soothing but, just as they were relaxing, everything turned quiet. Wing flaps could be heard in the distance and they were just getting louder by the second. Noah looked up and he saw a small bird slowly getting larger and larger as his pupils dilated in distress and focus as he cast [Analyze] on the thing flying towards them with an extra 15 mana put into it to see its level.
**Wyvern - lvl ??**
“Crap” was all he could say as he heard and saw the Wyvern screech and swoop down.
“Noah, what are you doing?! Get down!” Mark hurriedly tackled Noah down to the ground and narrowly evaded the Wyvern’s sharp talons. That was when another, much louder screech was heard coming closer. They looked up again and couldn’t believe their eyes, a much larger bird-like beast the size of a commercial airplane dove down and ate the Wyvern in one gulp.
Noah and Mark curled themselves up into balls hoping, praying, that the massive bird-beast would hopefully think of them as too small and too insignificant to even count as a snack for it. Then, as if to mock them the beast flapped its wings toward them summoning strong gusts of wind enough to make them roll around, suddenly, the massive bird spoke but, not out loud, it was as if it was speaking straight into their minds.
“HAHAHA! YOU HUMANS ARE TRULY SUCH FUNNY LITTLE CREATURES. YOUR LIFE IS SAVED BY THE MAJESTIC ME AND STILL COWER IN FEAR”
The massive bird landed on the ground and proceeded to preen itself while speaking to them. Noah abruptly stood up and said “Um, hello Mr. Bird sir…” but before he could finish speaking, the bird screeched and laughed in their minds.
“ME? A MERE BIRD? HAHAHA. TRULY QUITE A FUNNY HUMAN. WHY DON’T YOU USE YOUR INNATE SKILL ON ME, THOUGH I DOUBT IT WILL GIVE YOU ANY INFORMATION WITH ITS PITIFULLY LOW LEVEL.”
“Analyze.”
Roc – lvl 9
Noah couldn’t believe his eyes. Didn’t Rocs only exist in mythology? How was there one standing and preening itself right in front of him?
“HAHAHA! YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR EXPRESSION RIGHT NOW”
“Ummm, Mr. Roc sir, thank you for saving us but, what can we do to repay the favor? Surely a Roc as majestic as you has everything it needs and whatever we could offer you, you could probably get with a simple snap of a finger, uhhh, a snap of a talon in your case”
Suddenly, the preening roc visibly shrunk then morphed into the shape of a human with a multicolored robe around him
“Oh, you are indeed right, you cannot do anything for me. I am only here because I find your little building here quite satisfactory for my new nest.”
“So, you’re telling us to get out of here?” Noah asked as his face turned white
“Oh no no no, this majestic me would not resort to taking the house of someone as insignificant like you. I am just saying hi to my new neighbors! I am moving into one of the rooms, and I am not asking you, I’m telling you.” The roc said threateningly
This was when Mark finally calmed down enough to say “So Mr. Roc sir, you’re telling us that you, someone who is leagues above us in strength and most probably level too…”
“Level? Oh, no, I’m still under level 10 actually but, yes, I am definitely way above you in strength thanks to my heritage as one of the mythological races. You see, all those myths and legends in your history have some truth in them, we’ve just been hiding among you because honestly speaking, humans make some really cool shit. I was an avid gamer myself so color me surprised when game like blue screens suddenly appeared in my vision.”
“I know right?! It’s all so exciting!” Noah beamed at the Roc turned human and asked “So Mr. Roc do you guys have classes too?”
“Please, just call me Talal and no, we don’t. I confirmed it with my fellow Rocs and other mythological creatures but we all only have race and levels as far as we know but, we do get massive increases to our stats per level. Unfortunately, we can’t pick where we put our stats unlike you humans. Anyway, enough talk, I’ll take the top floor and rooftop, you guys get all the other floors, but I will only say this once, since I am taking something from you, you will get one favor from me, otherwise I will not protect you nor will I involve myself with your lives”
Noah and Mark looked at each other and nodded. They were obviously the ones who came out on top of this deal with no obvious downsides, except maybe, living with someone that can pretty much just kill them with a sneeze, but that wasn’t going to happen right?... right?
While they were thinking of the potential downsides to this deal, Talal turned around and started heading towards the building. Noah and Mark hurriedly caught up to him and said “We were previously living on the top floor so it might be a little messy… Want us to clean it up for you?”
“You would do that for me? Oh, but I don’t like it when people are in my nest, I’ll do it myself.” Talal abruptly disappeared from where he was standing. At first, they thought that he could teleport but then they saw a colorful ball flying across the sky towards the apartment. They started running in order to catch up and a few minutes later arrived at the building just in time to see full on concrete slabs flying out of the top floor windows and falling onto the parking lot.
“Guess he’s renovating.” Noah said trying to lighten the mood as he noticed that Mark wasn’t really into the whole idea of living with a mythological creature “Come on Mark, look at the bright side, if he lives here, we probably won’t have to worry about waking up to random beasts knocking on our doors.”
“How’s that?”
“Don’t animals have territories and stuff? Like how wolves and dogs pee on their territory to mark it. Maybe he has something similar.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right”
“Of course I’m right! Now let’s go set up on one of the lower floors. I am tired after having almost died so many times today. We also need to strategize how we’re gonna use all our abilities in order to survive, we can’t rely on that one favor from our new neighbor.”
With that, they started heading towards the building and went up the stairs to the ninth floor which they picked because it was only logical to live close to the powerful neighbor they found themselves with.
Noah filled a couple buckets with [Waterball] which they used to drink and wash themselves with, then, they went out to the parking lot and Noah took the boar carcass out of his artifact and said “So what do we do with this thing?”
“If memory serves me right, we need to bleed it out first. It makes the meat taste better and last longer.”
Noah looked at the 5 feet tall furry boar with the bald spot from when he threw a fireball at it and said “So do I just burn off the rest of the fur?”
“Yeah, that should be fine”
Noah went ahead and summoned a fireball and proceeded to carefully burn off every bit of fur. It took a few minutes and a bit of elbow grease to flip the whole boar around and burn the fur on the other side but they managed to do it. Then they took a kitchen knife and slit its throat, but there was one problem. “Where do we hang it?” Noah asked after unsummoning his fireball.
Mark looked at the now bald boar and said “We could get some rope and tie it to a ladder? No, the ladder probably can’t take that much weight.
Noah began thinking and then had an idea. “I know! I’ll just make something like an arch with earth manipulation and hang it from there!”
Noah walked a few meters away from the concrete floor of the parking lot and began manipulating the earth. It took all of his mana to just make it half way up his planned arch then he suddenly fell down panting.
“Noah! You okay?” Mark asked worriedly
“Uh, yeah. I think I just found out what happens when you use up all your mana.” Noah just laid there on the ground panting and holding his aching head. “I’m definitely not doing that ever again, I feel like shit.”
“You look like shit” they looked at each other and just laughed. They were not laughing because it was funny mind you, they were laughing at the absurdity of the situation. They were building an arch from which they’d hang a boar twice the size of old-world boars, all this they did with magic, real fucking magic. Not to mention that Mark healed an injury that would’ve taken weeks of healing.
Truly absurd indeed.
But all they could do was laugh and accept the situation because otherwise, they’d die and they'd die horribly.

Waldo could feel the tension in his body. He hated breaches. He used to be a general in the armada. Waldo had not figured out exactly what happened but in a few weeks leadership had changed all across the galaxy. Waldo had sensed something was different and Waldo had changed his identity adding himself to a low level unit while he tried to figure out what had caused the change. However, his contracts slowly disappeared and he was having a hard time cultivating new ones. Waldo had heard the name Bastion a lot in the changeover and Jonah seemed to have fallen off his radar, which Waldo found very distressing. So now he was just a lower level grunt Waldo had to follow orders and keep his identity hidden. That meant he saw lots of action thus why he was on a breaching team. All the prep in the world never made him feel safe on a breach and they had no prep time for this one. Toby slammed the charge on the handle of the Iron door and deftly ran the blasting cord around the frame, in a single smooth motion. Waldo felt Juan tense in front of him as they prepped for entry after the blast. Waldo would be second in on this one having lost the coin toss. Not that he really minded due to the lack of information. Juan would be going right, Waldo had the left, and Brett would be going down the middle. Juan, Waldo, or Brett always led the breaching team; they were their units cowboys. At least, that is what they called themselves. Their lieutenant Frank called them his lovely ladies but everyone was a girl to Frank. Waldo didn’t care about it, Brett would get angry with Frank out of combat, and Juan only ever laughed over it. Waldo was pretty sure Brett was putting up a show as he had caught Brett offering to be a bottom to a guy at a bar three months ago, which had led to him swearing secrecy over it. Waldo found himself smiling as Frank started into it.
“Lovely ladies, Juanita, Betty, and Wilma. Tina is spreading her legs in three.” Frank said loud enough for the breaching team to hear as he raised his hand holding up three fingers starting a countdown to Waldo’s 4th breach of the day. As the door blasted in they moved smoothly forward like a well rehearsed dance. Juan moved through the door into a hallway with Waldo close on his tail. Waldo saw it a second too late as Juan had completely missed the tripwire. Waldo grabbed Juan a hair too slow as Juan’s foot hit the wire tripping whatever the trap was. Waldo felt the magic in the blast before he heard the tremendous roar. Waldo felt himself pushed back by Juan while trying to pull him. Waldo felt certain he had Juan’s pack firmly gripped as he fell back. Suddenly, there was nothing in his hands. The air felt cool and instead of the hot sun beating down he felt a warm glow off to his left.
Waldo rolled to his feet and spun, assessing the room, but everything was wrong. He had lifted his rifle up to sight as he spun but it was missing so instead in the middle of the spin he drew his side arm. However, as he finished his spin his arm fell loosely to his side. Waldo stood in the middle of three empty round tables. In what, he would call the common room of a themed bar or restaurant. He saw humanoid creatures standing near a long wooden bar with 4 patrons seated at it and another dozen or so scattered around the room with more on the two levels above him. Off to the side of a warm glow that Waldo realized there was a fireplace with a fire happily burning in it and there was a stage. Waldo would have loved to hear the music from the group on stage with their odd assortment of instruments but it was at this moment Waldo realized the blast had deafened him. Waldo felt certain no one would attack him, having noticed an odd assortment of humanoids. Waldo saw gnolls, tabaxi, and maybe lizardperson. Waldo holstered his side arm but in looking down he noticed a growing pool of blood at his feet and saw a piece of rebar sticking out of his arm. Waldo saw the enchantments engraved in the rebar and part of him said magic wasn’t real then something else said that humans were the only intelligent race. Waldo pushed those back knowing better. He had seen lots of races and humans were just one of them. Waldo felt more than one voice trying to take control and he pushed back, calming his mind. Waldo attempted to quiet his mind as he was flooded with memories and thoughts he did not recognize as he pushed against them he felt someone or something help him in quieting his mind.
Waldo had not noticed the pain of his injury because of how much adrenaline was pumping through him. Waldo examined the rebar seeing the blood running down his arm. Waldo estimated he had ten minutes before blood loss would start to impact him if it did not clot on its own. Waldo glanced around the room seeing a few gnolls who had noticed him but no one seemed to care and decided he could care for the wound. Waldo grabbed the quick releases on his backpacks shoulder straps letting his bag fall onto a table he positioned behind him. Waldo quickly turned to face the bag and flipped it over so he could easily access it. Waldo grabbed a strap on the pack and deftly released it. Wrapping the loose strap above where the rebar was sticking out of his arm. Waldo smoothly grabbed his folding knife, flicking it open and cutting the sleeve away. Waldo placed the sleeve on the table and checked to see if it was all there or a piece was missing. Waldo grimace realizing a piece of sleeve is probably in his muscle. Waldo flicked the knife closed and placed it next to the sleeve. Waldo pulled out a bottle of water, a small bottle of rubbing alcohol, a healing tonic, and a sealed bandage for once it was clean. Waldo was so focused on what he was doing at the table he had not noticed the small group that had gathered behind him.
“I don’t think he can hear us.” Strisk, a large drake, said, preparing to tap the strange human’s shoulder to get his attention.
“Really, Strisk. You don’t think the guy bleeding on the floor that I shouted at can hear us?” Lydia, the only human in the commons, asked angrily, placing her hands on her hips.
“I think he is going to pull that piece of metal out of his arm.” Kna, the gnollish innkeeper and owner of the establishment, said surprised. Watching Waldo’s back tense as he stretched his arm out to the table. Grabbing the rebar in his other hand.
“Sir! Don’t!” Lydia screamed as Waldo ripped the 4 inch piece of rebar stuck halfway in his arm out.
“Fuck!” Waldo yelled as the piece of metal came free. Waldo looked it over for cloth finding a small piece that he carefully removed from the end of the rebar and placed in the hole of the sleeve and frowning seeing there was still more. Waldo screamed as the onlookers watched him shove his fingers into the hole in skin.
“Strisk, help me stop him.” Lydia said. Grabbing Waldo’s arm. Strisk hesitated. A moment before grabbing Waldo’s other arm.
"Stop! There is more fabric in my arm!” Waldo screamed as the two strangers forced his arms apart. Waldo looked at the sleeve. Unsure if they could even understand him. The strangers released Waldo as he attacked the problem again.
“Aer, go get me water. I will clean this up once he is done” Lydia said, to a gnoll barmaid nearby, deciding to stay next to this stranger.
“I’ll get the mop and some rags to help.” Kna said not wanting to watch anymore and stepping away.
Waldo pulled out a piece of fabric and placed it in the sleeve. Smiling now that he could account for all of the sleeve. Waldo grabbed the water bottle using his teeth to remove the lid and poured it down his arm. Followed by the rubbing alcohol to which he could not help but scream again as it burned.
“That looks bad.” Strisk said, fingering a potion at his hip. Seeing Waldo was prepared to heal the slow way. Strisk was trying to decide whether or not to help the stranger out by giving him the healing potion he carried as a city guard.
Waldo was looking at the hole in his arm knowing it would take time to heal even with the help of the tonic. He estimated it would be a day or two. Waldo looked back at the lizard person standing behind him in armor. Waldo grimaced as he drank the healing tonic. Waldo looked at the only human girl in the commons. Waldo instantly recognized her but could see she did not recognize him. Waldo hated this feeling but took his time looking over her sandy blonde hair and the gentle curves of her face. Waldo let his eyes wander across her chest and down her legs to the floor even though there was not much to see since she wore a high neck dress that was rather plain. Waldo expected she worked here and was not one to take crap from the patrons. However, Waldo knew her face and her shape as just as he remembered her, he did not need her clothes off to tell this. Waldo turned back to the table and opened the bandage and applied it to his arm. “He took his time looking you over.” Strisk said, eying Lydia himself.
“At least, he seems to know not to touch.” Lydia said, without looking at Strisk. She had been rebuffing advances from him and other drakes like him since she took the job. She hated the drakes, which was not unreasonable as they had burned her home to the ground, killed her parents, her betrothed, and enslaved her for five years. Lydia had fled to the nearest city not under drake control once she was freed. Lydia knew that not all drakes are slavers but getting over somethings are easier than others.
“Do you think he can hear us?” Strisk asked, ignoring the jab not wanting to be thrown out by Kna again. Strisk still was fingering the healing potion not having decided on whether or not to offer it. The human seemed to be taking things to remedy his condition. Strisk stood over the two humans by about a foot when he extended to his full height at the moment he was hunched down a bit so he did not tower over them. Strisk thought he looked good this evening having cared for his bronze scales before coming to Kna’s inn. Waldo rolled up the sleeve and piece of rebar and placed it in his pack then pulled out a healing tonic with a dropper on it and a tin a bit larger than his hand slipping the tin into a pocket. Waldo used the dropper to put a few drops of his second healing tonic down each of his ears. Waldo knew it would take a minute for the tonic to kick in and heal enough damage to restore hearing. Waldo returned the spare tonic to the pack and turned around letting his eyes meet Lydia’s. Waldo thought he saw her eyeing him and she had a small smile on her face as their eyes met. Her face made various emotions flare inside him and it had to focus to stay in control feeling a bit like someone else was trying to take control. Waldo felt his hearing return as the sounds of the room washed over him.
“Hello.” Waldo said, smiling at the woman ignoring the large lizardperson or dragonkin. Waldo could not really tell but he knew getting it wrong would probably offend them.
“Hey, I am guardsmen Strisk.” Strisk said. Waldo glanced at the drake and then looked back at the woman. She crossed her arms and her smile turned to a frown. Waldo could not help but think crossing her arms only accentuated a certain feminine feature of her form.
“Any chance I could get your name?” Waldo asked, meeting the woman’s eyes.
“Lydia. Why are you bleeding on our floor and where did you come from?” Lydia asked, feeling her pulse raise with the way he was looking at her. Lydia had not been in the presence of a human male for ten years. Lydia had not been avoiding them there just weren’t many humans in the city she had fled to and she would not risk going back to drake territory as much as part of her wanted certain things, saving up to get off his continent had been her focus. Human also from what she had seen human men did not survive long under the abuse the drakes applied to there slaves in the nearby Xalas empire. “I am Waldo Winter.” Waldo introduced himself looking at Lydia. “As for why I am bleeding, I think it was an explosion of some kind. The shockwave knocked out my hearing. I am from Halcyon. I was in an outlying district at the time of the explosion and the wood in this room tells me I am not there anymore.” Waldo stated calmly.
“So you entered Protham via an unauthorized teleport?” Strisk asked, trying to sound official.
“One I did not initialize or agree to but yes. Are you going to arrest me?” Waldo asked.
“I will have to report it. I will let someone else decide if you should be arrested. Assuming you don’t cause additional trouble.” Strisk said.
“It is an honour to make your acquaintance Strisk. Thank you for not arresting me.” Waldo said, giving Strisk a smile before turning back to Lydia.
“Why were you caught in an explosion?” Strisk asked the strange human, smiling back at him since he was being respectful.
“Well that is a little difficult. I was entering a suspected criminal's residence just before finding myself standing in this lovely room.” Waldo said deciding to omit details since it would be simpler than explaining. “There was an explosion of some kind and then I was here. I have to assume the hunk of metal hit me before I appeared here somehow.”
“Sounds like a teleport spell gone wrong.” Lydia said, allowing herself a moment to look over Waldo since he was not causing trouble. She could see the muscles in his arm and thought she recognized his jawline but knew that could not be the case since she had no idea where Halcyon was.
“I wouldn’t know much about that. I can only hope my brothers are alright. Can one of you tell me where I am?” Waldo asked, masking his face, wondering if he had died. The blast had been strong enough to rupture his ears. Waldo was not sure he could have actually survived, even with Juan in front of him. Waldo expected he had died and this was some sort of reincarnation. Waldo knew he could not return home if the was an arrival on this planet as a child of Halcyon he had heard of this experience but this was his first time. As he thought about this he realized he did not want to go back even if he could. He had been in hiding and now he was probably well outside of the problems he had and doubted anyone hunting him would keep it up after death if he had died. If not then he was incredibly lucky he had landed in a place where he did not die instantly. Looking at Lydia something told him that someone powerful had intervened but Waldo could not imagine who. Jonah had abandoned him and Waldo could not think of another player with enough power to do anything who would also care about him.
“Spriggan Inn, in Protham.” Lydia said, looking carefully at Waldo. Aer walked over carrying a rag and pushing a bucket of steaming water. Kna walked over with a mop and an empty bucket to wring the mop out.
“Oh, thank you.” Waldo said, taking the mop from Kna and starting to clean up.
“Protham is nowhere special, Lydia. We are a weeks travel from Neakar City. Neakar is the district capital here and a port city.” Strisk said, looking at Lydia.
“You don’t have to do that.” Kna said, as Waldo deftly cleaned up the blood on the floor. “Just let him. He is probably in shock.” Strisk said, as they watched Waldo clean the floor easily.
“Just a bit.” Waldo said after a moment, having finished mopping and given the mop back to Kna. Waldo used one of the rages Aer had to clean the table his pack had been on ending by wiping the drying blood from his ears. Waldo looked down and realized he was a mess.
“How far did you travel?” Aer asked, frowning having heard the conversation.
“Far enough, those names mean nothing to me.” Waldo replied.
“So you are gonna need work.” Strisk half asked and half told Waldo.
“Seems like that would be wise.” Waldo said, placing the rag over the edge of the bucket holding the dirty water from Waldo’s cleaning efforts.
“Protham needs good city guards.” Strisk said, smiling. “I can get you an interview tomorrow. I will come by tomorrow morning and get you. If you are interested?”
“I’ll need some training on your laws, but sounds interesting to me.” Waldo said, sticking out his hand to Strisk. Strisk looked at it a moment then realized he was supposed to grab it and did with his clawed hand.
“Thanks, for your help Strisk.” Waldo said, firmly shaking Strisk’s hand.
“Sounds like you want a room for the night. Unless, Strisk is offering to pay. Do you have any money?” Kna asked, frowning at Strisk.
“You can put one night on my tab, Kna.” Strisk said.
“Only if you pay your tab off tonight.” Kna said, feeling a bit bad but knowing Strisk’s tab was getting out of hand.
“Do you accept silver?” Waldo asked, before Strisk could reply to Kna.
“Yes, take a seat and I will get my scales.” Kna said, having heard enough to know she was going to need to calculate an exchange.
“I am glad you happened to have some coin on you.” Strisk said, frowning at Kna’s back.
“Yeah, my dad was big into carrying certain things every day. Good thing, I listened to him cause I bet my country's paper money is worthless here.” Waldo said, pulling the tin out of his pocket and carefully opening to make sure it was the right one then closing it again.
“Well, your bag is probably worth quite a bit. I have never seen anything like it. Fine craftsmanship.” Aer said, examining his pack.
“I would rather not part with it if possible.” Waldo said sitting down at the table his bag had been on since he moved it to the floor beside the table in cleaning the table. Strisk sat down across from him as did Aer with Lydia sitting close and she was still looking at him.
“Lydia, you are being weird.” Aer said, quietly.
“Looks like Lydia wants to bed the man.” Strisk said, frowning at Lydia.
“Watch it, Strisk.” Lydia said to Strisk with an edge in her voice. “Waldo just reminds me of someone.” Lydia followed up with a softer tone.
“Good memories I hope. I think I’d like to get to know you.” Waldo responded, not looking away from Lydia. “You remind me of… Someone.”
“Well, be nice and maybe we can share some memories.” Lydia replied, not breaking his gaze. Waldo felt there were some additional implications in her words.
“Is there a price?” Waldo asked, before he could stop himself. Waldo was not entirely sure where the words had come from in saying them they just burst from his lips like someone else was running the show. The words had sent Lydia’s hand flying. Waldo easily caught it mid air. “I will take that as a no, which is nice. A woman with a price isn’t a woman worth having.” Waldo said, speaking again without being sure where the word came from. Waldo wondered if he was going mad but something told him he was not. Waldo edged closer to Lydia as he thought this and realized he seemed to be of multiple minds in this moment. Words and actions happening that he was not sure were all him. Aer and Strisk were watching in surprise. “Maybe I misinterpreted your words.”
“If you can pay for your room. I am willing to let the words go. Now if you would let me go.” Lydia responded, carefully feeling the strength in his arm and seeing the ease with which he caught her slap. She had used a skill to hit him, one that had landed on Strisks and other guardsmen when they got out of hand. She felt he could be dangerous and even though he had caught the slap and was easily holding her arm in place he was not hurting her. In fact once she relaxed, from making the slap, she realized how relaxed he was in stopping her slap. She saw him considering letting her go. She met his eyes letting her anger show at being held in place. Lydia realized how close he had come moving a little to block her slap and left him close enough she felt his breath on her face. Lydia realized she was breathing on him too and something in his eyes seemed to be enjoying the closeness they were sharing.
“I want a taste.” Waldo said, kissing her before she could react and sliding his hand along her back. Lydia wanted to struggle but part of her had been aching for this for years and she did not put up a fight. After a moment she found she was kissing him back for a moment and just as she was about to pull away. He did first. Waldo had been wanting to kiss her since he had laid eyes on her and at least this time he was sure that was him. “Well, that was… special.” Waldo felt a memory tug at him in the back of his mind. One of a girl that looked just like this woman.
“Maybe, for you.” Lydia said, trying to hide how much she enjoyed it. Waldo released her hand and turned looking for Kna. Waldo watched Kna approach with the scales. Waldo quickly opened the tin, pulling out a bundle of five carefully wrapped gold coins before closing it again and placing the tin back in a pocket.
Waldo unwrapped the coins asking “What exchange rate can you offer on these?” Aer gave a quiet gasp at the sight of them. Waldo feared he had made a mistake. As kna set the scales on the table.
“You have gold?” Strisk asked. Kna seemed unphased as Kna placed the coins on one side of the scale and started to carefully weigh them.
“Just a little. For an emergency.” Waldo responded.
“That should be enough to live here for a month.” Strisk stated, watching Kna carefully.
“You underestimate my rates. This will buy you three weeks.” Kna stated, as the scales balanced.
“What? That is highway robbery!” Strisk said.
“I have to take them to a blacksmith to get them minted in local coinage, they will need to be paid. Or I will have to take them to a money changer, who will also take a cut.” Kna stated.
“What would that include?” Waldo said, realizing his hand had wandered from his leg and found Lydia hand grabbing it tightly. Waldo felt Lydia tense as Waldo grabbed her hand but noticed she did not pull away from the sudden contact.
“A room, hot bath every day, standard laundry service, the common breakfast, and dinner daily with one pint of house ale. You will have to pay for lunch if you come here to eat.” Kna said, listing from memory the services she included in her standard room offering.
“Sounds good to me.” Waldo said smiling and looking out the window confirming it was dark. “I assume we are in the middle of dinner?” Waldo asked, hopefully.
“Yes.” Kna answered.
“May I take dinner in my room? I would like to wash myself before bed. It has been a surprising day.” Waldo asked Kna.
“Yes! I will grab you a plate and show you to your room.” Lydia said, releasing Waldo hand and standing. Waldo let her hand go as she stood. Kna at Lydia with what Waldo expected was motherly concern. As Lydia turned away to get the room key and a plate of food.
“Is there running water in the room?” Waldo asked Kna.
“Yes, but I cannot recommend using it for anything other than bathing.” Kna said.
“It is fine I can purify water. Can I get this filled with water?” Waldo asked, holding out a metal canteen.
“Yes. Aer go fill this and bring it back.” Kna said, handing the canteen to Aer who quickly walked off. “Leave Strisk. I would have a word alone with this man.” Kna growled at Strisk looking angrily. Strisk knew better than to argue with Kna when she gave him this look.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Waldo.” Strisk said standing to his whole sevenish feet of height stretching as he walked away. Waldo only now realized how small he was compared to Strisk.
“Indeed.” Waldo said to Strisk and turned back to Kna.
“I have never seen Lydia take to a man as she has to you. Have you cast a spell on her?” Kna asked Waldo. Waldo burst out laughing, taking a moment to control himself.
“I have no skill in that kind of magic. If you know how to test one for magic I would happily submit. I suspect I know why she has taken to me but there is nothing magical about it.” Waldo said, having gained control of the strange urge to laugh at magic.
“Why?” Kna asked, eyeing him coldly.
“Now why should I answer you?” Waldo asked. “What do you care for, of freed slaves? Or are you not her enslaver?” Kna drew back surprised.
“You said you knew nothing of this place?” Kna replied.
“I have never heard of this city in my life or this land, but I have eyes. Lydia is the only human here beside me. You are a gnoll and Strisk is one of the scaled people’s. I never been around any of them long enough to learn to tell them apart. Lydia clearly has some aversion to Strisk which seems to be unconscious on some level. That suggests it is not that she does not simply dislike him but something more than that. It is obvious to me that she does not belong here and would choose another home, but something prevents that. When I kissed her I ran my hand down her back. I felt the cursed marks of a whip. Is she a free woman or do you own her?” Waldo said, sliding his hand to the knife attached to his lower back.
“My people do not enslave others. She is free. I did not know she hated it here.” Kna said going from angry to crestfallen. “I did not know she had been a drake's slave.”
“You will say nothing of this. If you value your friendship with her. I did not say she hated it here. She works for you, which I expect is because you are not a drake and probably more than that. I get the sense she misses her people. How long has she been here?” Waldo replied, smoothing his voice.
“Several years.” Kna said, drifting in her own thoughts.
“If she hated you she would have left. You must make her feel safe in a dark place so she does not wander from your light.” Waldo said.
“All the more reason to not let her be abused.” Kna said, gauging Waldo.
“You misunderstand something. I will always respect Ma laska.” Waldo said, changing languages without thinking and looking to where Lydia stood talking to Aer as a memory flooded over him for a moment. Waldo felt the other part of him pushing forward for a moment. “Good help you have. Deftly slowing Lydia while we talk.”
“What is ma laska?” Kna asked. Waldo hesitated, surprised by Kna's words, then realized he had called Lydia by accident. Waldo knew what it meant somehow but decided he better not translate it directly.
“A woman’s right.” Waldo said, choosing a lie over the truth. “Or at least that is a close enough translation in this context.”
“So that is another language?” Kna asked.
“Yes, one from my a place long ago.” Waldo answered. “Have we not strayed topics at this point?”
“I think I have made myself clear and you have made yourself clear now.” Kna said, glancing at Aer and making a low growl. “I will let Lydia make herself clear as she chooses. Now that I do not think you will take something Lydia does not freely offer.”
“Have you accepted her as your cub?” Waldo asked, turning to look at Kna.
“I ha... “ Kna stopped herself, looking surprised at Waldo.
“I see it in your eyes, witness it in your fur, and hear it in your voice. She is a daughter in your house. Does she know or do you keep it a secret from all but those who know how to see?” Waldo asked, calmly moving past Kna’s surprise.
“You said.” Kna started to accuse trying to remember his words.
“I have not seen another race in so long. I cannot tell the scaled races apart. However, I ran with a pack for six years. I was a brother to a gnoll, and son to his parents. I sat at their table and went on their hunts. I sang the rights and washed in their bath. I was once an adopted son, which fills me with pride. If you are not a slaver then I would call you friend.” Waldo said quickly as Lydia approached. Just as he finished speaking he gave a quiet howl in the gnoll tongue he had learned many years ago living on the plains of Halcyon long before the war that had landed him here. Aer stopped mid-step and stared at Waldo as the gnolls in the room turned looking at the grimy human who had named himself to the room in gnollish. Kna openly stared surprised Waldo had been named and knew the proper introduction for himself in a public place. Lydia was confused as to her it appeared Waldo was growling threateningly at Kna. Suddenly, the room responded with a quite gnollish welcome that made Lydia jump. Aer gently placed her hand on Lydia’s shoulder.
“They are greeting Waldo in our tongue.” Aer explained to Lydia, seeing she did not know what was happening in the room.
“He speaks gnollish?” Lydia said surprised.
“I guess.” Aer said, pulling her hand back and moving forward again.
“Why did you not say something before?” Kna asked, Waldo as Lydia and Aer walked up. Aer set his canteen on the table.
“It was not the time. All things have a place and now was this things place.” Waldo responded.
“You are a strange human, but I am comforted and feel as if there is nothing to fear.” Kna said to Waldo then turned to Lydia. “Lydia, you may do as you will the rest of the night and I will not interfere.”
“Thank you. May we call this the end of my shift then.” Lydia asked, feeling a little excited. Aer turned moving around the room with the other staff in the inn.
“Away with you before I find a need for your aid in tending to my customers. Who I have ignored, too long.” Kna said quickly moving away to help her staff tend to tables. Waldo picked up his pack and canteen.
“Lead on, Ma laska.” Waldo said, nodding to Lydia.
“Ma laska?” Lydia questioned not saying it quite right.
“Sorry, my lady. Old habits.” Waldo said, lying again feeling unsure as to why he felt like he was fighting to stay in control. Lydia raised an eyebrow questioningly but led on. Waldo followed her up the stairs to the second floor and down a hallway lined with six doors. She stopped in front of the door and placed a brass coin over the lock which clicked and the door swung open. Led him into a good sided room with an all wood floor and completely open. A large bed was on one side of the room, a table with two chairs by the door. Space at the foot of the bed. There was space between the bed and a bathtub with a toilet near the back wall with a screen by the toilet and a sink between the tub and toilet. The room was lit by glowing stones fixed to the walls Waldo saw what appeared to be a control for the glowing stones by the door before the table and chairs. There were towels by the sink. Lydia set the plate on the table and the brass coin next to it. Waldo set his bag at the foot of the bed and started to strip away his body armor until he heard the door shut causing him to turn. Waldo smiled seeing Lyida had not left.
“Would you like help?” Lydia asked, slowly walking to him with a gaze that excited Waldo. The kiss he had stolen had aroused something in Lydia and the urges she had been pushing back had rushed forward.
“I can manage. I am just removing some outer layers. They are deceptively heavy.” Waldo responded.
“Please allow me. I want to.” Lydia said, stepping next to him quickly. Waldo allowed her to help him, carefully guiding her hands to the straps holding the armor in place and allowing their fingers to get tangled. “You seem to be intentionally making this difficult.” Lydia accused, after it took almost a full minute to unhook one strap.
“Does it bother you?” Waldo asked, playfully nudging her and Lydia realized he was enjoying the delay.
“Your food will get cold…” Lydia said, blushing as she started to enjoy the fumbling of their hands and his contact.
“Hot or cold it is still food. However, this moment... is all its own.” Waldo said, dragging out her helping him remove his outer layers, which took another five or more minutes. After which, they sat across from each other as he ate his dinner. Lydia studied him as he ate.
“Have we met before?” Lydia asked, feeling at ease in his presence.
“After a manner…I believe so but not for more than a lifetime.” Waldo responded. “Do you believe in reincarnation?”
“Reincarnation?” Lydia asked not being familiar with the word.
“My people believe when you die a piece of you, what we would call a soul, starts a new life.” Waldo explained.
“I am not much for religion. In my homeland, they said the gods are dead. The Drakes of Xalas seem to think there are gods and people have souls. Most of the gnolls of Grofeas say there are no gods but there is a temple to the gnoll god in Protham and I believe the high priestess is the wife of the city's guard captain.” Lydia replied.
“Xalas? Grofeas?” Waldo asked, suspecting these are countries.
“Neakar, a large city in the Xalas empire. It even has a palace for the emperor. I don’t think it is the capital of the Xalas empire but I might be wrong. The Grofeas plains are ruled by the gnoll tribes. There are not very many cities on the Grofeas plains and Xalas has tentative peace with the plains gnolls that largely control Grofeas. Protham is the first city in the Grofeas plains after leaving the Xalas empire. Mostly, the Drakes have mined the Grofeas plains of all they are interested in so they leave them alone.” Lydia explained.
“What is your home land called?” Waldo asked.
“Northumbria, but last I heard it fell to the drakes in the war. I was captured before the Northumbrian king fell. The Teaniel Empire is the last human hold out against the drakes and if it falls the drakes will effectively rule the continent of Atios. Not that they bother much with the Grofeas plains.” Lydia explained.
“Ah, so you stay because there is no easy human stronghold to flee to?” Waldo questioned.
“I am trying to save up to go to Ibrix but that is a long boat ride off after traveling to the only gnoll port city because I refuse to go back into the Xalas empire. Only problem is Grofeas port city is three hundred leagues to the south east of here. The roads are less than safe and each year there are only about three caravans that make the trek. If I were to cross alone it is unlikely I would make it. The cost of going from here to Ibrix are a little more than a year's wage working here.” Lydia explained sadly.
“How many humans reside in Protham?” Waldo asked.
“Twelve. All women. Eight are too old for the trek and two are too young to go alone.” Lydia said.
“All former slaves of the drakes I assume.” Waldo said.
“What?” Lydia said surprised.
“I worked interrogations. I learned to read what was left unspoken. You have nothing to fear from me. Slavery is the evilest form of commerce.” Waldo said, kneeling by his chair with his back to Lydia and bearing it. Lydia saw thin white scars from wounds that had healed and been reopened only to heal again over and over again. Lydia was speechless. After a moment Waldo covered himself and sat down facing her.
“How did you know?” Lydia questioned. Waldo slid his chair close to her so they were a breath apart. Lydia stared at him waiting for an answer when he kissed her. This time she felt his hand running down her back touching her hidden marks. Waldo pulled back from the kiss after a moment.
“Slavers tend to have the same tricks. They leave the same marks on one's body and some people's souls.” Waldo said quietly as he sat a breaths distance from Lydia’s face. The moment stretched as shared history passed between them and without a word spoken they had shared secrets too dark to udder in the quiet of the room then there was a roar of cheers from the commons breaking the spell that dark secrets of shared history had woven for a moment.
“I hope we can talk more.” Lydia said, after a moment now that the spell was broken. Lydia stood now that her head had cleared. Lydia was not sure what she would do if she stayed and questioned what she wanted.
“Will you stay?” Waldo asked, gently touching Lydia’s hand. Lydia did not pull away. Standing Lydia moved to the door. She intended to open the door and leave but she grabbed the night lock turning the knob. Waldo was not sure what he expected but he would not stop her from leaving. Waldo heard the door lock click into place, Lydia took a few steps toward the bath and moved her hair to one side exposing the ties along her back. Waldo stood and moved to her beginning to untie her dress. Once he was done. Lydia let the dress fall to the floor. Time stretched and shortened all at once and before he knew it exhaustion took them as they lay on the bed together. Lydia snuggled up to him and in a moment her breathing was even and gentle. Waldo knew she had fallen asleep in that moment of respite. Waldo watched her for a moment only to realize how tired he was and started to doze off but just as he heard a voice speak in his mind.
“Class gained Soldier, Level one. Skill gained, find allegiance.”
“Cancel! Reject!” Waldo whispered, angrily not wanting to wake Lydia.
“Class and level canceled.”
Waldo was fully awake now. Realizing he is on a game world, Waldo frowned. He considered this for a moment. Waldo had heard of these but never been on one. Now the injury made more sense. He had died on Halcyon. Waldo wondered if Jonah even cared that he had died. Waldo took a moment to consider the implications of being on a gaming world. There would be no intergalactic armada base here. Waldo knew the gaming worlds had been cut off, largely due to proximity. All the gaming worlds were the opposite side of the galaxy. The armada was still a thousand years of growth away. Waldo now knew with certainty there was no simple way back. As he considered this he realized there might be a way. Waldo thought about it for a few minutes as the idea grew in his mind and realized he truly did not want to go back. “I am a God.” Waldo thought to himself, Waldo felt something rush to the front of his mind, something that believed it or he was a god.
“Class gained God, level one. Skill gained, anoint worshiper. Quest assigned, claim domain.”
Waldo smiled, surprised it was that simple. Waldo considered trying to cancel it but part of him said if he was going to stay here he might as well be a god. Thinking he could do anything as a god. Another part said it was a bad idea and it would not be easy. Waldo wondered why he was feeling so conflicted about everything and why he did not feel like he was in perfect control. Then he wondered if the gods were dead on this world, would he be the only god around, and if so what domain he should claim. Waldo slowly drifted to sleep with these conflicting thoughts.

There’s a saying in Italian, In vino veritas “In wine, there’s truth”. I want to know which of the two versions of this girl is the true one:
Tl:dr; I (M29) have a friend (F25) who I have feelings for, but the circumstances in our lives aren’t supportive of anything more than friendship. But, I at least will have some peace knowing that she also feels the connection I feel. She displays to versions- one warm and other cold. I have no clue which one to trust.
On coffee:
Now, during conversations over coffee when we meet 1:1 - she is very straightforward that she never has any feelings for me and never will. She also doesn’t always want to be around me but somehow we still end up hanging out multiple times a month. Initially, we used to hang out 1:1 a lot too but after having a real conversation about this - she definitely avoids 1:1 drinks.. walks, coffee, day time things are ok in moderation but she prefers 3 people.
But despite all this, she is incredibly adamant on being friends and they we are close friends and she is willing to forget any conversations of non-platonic relationships and just be friends.
If it’s worth mentioning - a year back for a very short time it was clear and undisputed that she was into me but the “obvious” nature of it lasted a short time. This was very early on when we met.
Lastly, I am still the one who she enjoys having long conversations with and reveal her softer side (which is rare. She has very very high defenses)
On wine: While she avoids going to bar with me 1:1, she would do it if there are 3 people. To be honest, it seems that who the third person is doesn’t even matter. She doesn’t really engage that much with the third person and we talk.
These moments are very different. She is so wonderful to me, we share those eye connections that are just a little longer than usual. She would put her arm around me, laugh on stupid jokes, and just be so much more warm with me.
She would hold my hand while walking (but not just me, the other person as well) to make it look balanced, I guess. But she would hold my hand tightly, or whatever.. I can’t comment on this.. to me the third person just feels like an excuse to behave with me the way she would want to but doesn’t otherwise.
End of night, our goodbyes will be hugs and warm exchanges of greetings and promises of meeting tomorrow again.
Sober next morning: Late text replies, no meeting, less priority to meet me etc.. and then similar behavior as to someone who “will never be anything more than a friend”.
This cycle continues…..
So, which one is the truth!? What’s your take here ladies?

Welcome back to my running series of WWF PPV Reviews from a ‘blind’ perspective (I have no idea what’s going to happen; the results, the feuds or how good any of the matches will be). I have always heard stories of the attitude era and golden age but never watched it myself so I set myself to watching every single PPV event chronologically. I am also watching Wrestling Bios ‘reliving the war’ series to keep me updated inbetween the events with the feuds, and to get excited about upcoming matches.
Before I review the matches, based on the past few episodes of raw and last PPVs I’ll let you know, going into the event, which match I’m most excited for and which feud I’m most excited to see.
The card tonight isn’t particularly stacked, mid card and opener wise, but it’s gotta be dude love vs stone cold. They had by far the best match last PPV and it will be the same story again tonight guaranteed. Anything involving stone cold will have McMahon involved and that feud is the big draw right now. Feud and match wise that’s my most anticipated match.
WWF Over The Edge 1998 Match Ratings
LOD 2000 vs DOA 1.75/5
Double J vs Steve mofuggin Blackman 1.25/5
Marc Mero vs Sable N/A
Kaientai vs Bradshaw & Taka Michinoku 1.25/5
Farooq vs The Rock 0.75/5
Kane vs Vader 1.75/5
D-Generation X vs The Nation 2.5/5
Dude Love vs Stone Cold Steve Austin 5/5
The absolute nerve of the wwf here to book LOD and DOA two PPVs in a row… to be fair though the crowd actually really seemed into this match. LOD still have a little juice left in the tank but they are truly just openers here. DOA I really don’t enjoy their in ring ability. It was an okay match and really not too much to say here. There was a very big pop when LOD won though.
The Rock cuts a promo next and he’s got his own entrance music, although it’s nowhere near as good as his future theme it’s still great that he’s not got that NOD music anymore, he’s finally his own wrestler. He shit talks the crowd but Farooq comes to the ring to get something damage in early before their match later. Not an amazing promo or anything but it builds some hype for later on although this is thrown up in the air as rock is injured from a pile driver on top of a chair. I suppose this is to make rock over as a champion?
Austin cuts a promo and says “mr McMahons ass belongs to me”… okay Steve if you say so.
Double J is brought to the ring by Tennessee Lee with some crazy visuals behind him as he does his strut in the ring but there’s just no crowd reaction apart from a few boos which made me laugh. Steve mofuggin Blackman then makes his way to the ring and double J doesn’t know what he’s in for.
The crowd seemed to be more entertained by the Al Snow silliness on the outside of the ring and you can’t blame them, this match was very very slow. The interference from Tennessee Lee was kinda interesting but there weren’t really many good looking moves, one of Blackmans kicks looked good in the middle of the match though. Another just below average okay match.
Next we get to see who sable has picked to represent her for the match and she makes her way to the ring but gah dayam she looks great tonight. Let’s see if she can get herself out of this toxic relationship… by fighting Mero herself? Mero then pretends to care about sable and lets her pin him… but then the switcheroo and what a scumbag! He gets the pin on sable and sings her out of the stadium. I feel like they should’ve done a little more with this match… or at least the post match angle.
The next match is apparently a “bonus match”? What does that even mean… I know what it means they didn’t have the roster right now for a full ppv so they booked this match in the middle as filler. But to be fair I have really enjoyed the light heavyweight Japanese wrestling recently so let’s see what they can do.
I actually enjoyed seeing Bradshaw just demolish multiple people half his size and taka did well but something about this match I really didn’t enjoy. It didn’t really flow well it felt random there was no story the crowd wasn’t into it… just not really a great viewing experience. Bradshaw was out over kinda here as he demolished the opponents but his team still lost…? I don’t know. But this first half of the ppv has really not been good.
Farooq comes to the ring and the rocks music plays multiple times before sgt slaughter comes to the ring to tell us that the rock has to compete or he will be stripped of the belt. There’s a countdown and rock just about beats the count making his way to the ring with a brace around his neck. If this does anything it only puts the rock over even as a heel, proving he has the heart of a champion, whereas I’m pretty sure they did this to make you enjoy seeing the heel struggling. But this is the wrong way round… Farooq is baby face in this situation but he’s done the heel move and Rocky has done the baby face move. Confusing by the wwf as you route for Rocky in this situation.
Farooq starts off demolishing the rock on the outside but eventually rock makes a comeback and delivers the peoples elbow. Farooq to be fair to him has improved his in ring ability and he’s actually able to have a coherent 1v1 match now. I have no idea what happened in the middle of the match but there was a false 3 count or something? I don’t know what they were going for there but it came off very badly and just looked weird. The rock wins and gets a pop but Farooq once again is playing heel as he assaults Rocky with two piledrivers after the bell. This was just a bad match… the angle was weird the match was bad the roles were reversed I don’t know what the wwf was thinking with this one.
DX comes to the ring after the match ends to help Farooq out to a big pop and they’re clearly the biggest group in the wwf now.
We’ve got Kane vs Vader next and last time these two wrestled I really enjoyed their chemistry so I hope they can pull something good off here, this PPV really needs it as honestly it’s just been bad so far… really bad.
I don’t know what to think of this match. It was average but the slug fest was good in the middle of the match a couple of times, and vaders moonsault looked good even though it missed. The stipulation for the unmasking was an okay gimmick but since Kane won and Vader had to unmask… which we’ve seen multiple times before so it was a little pointless.
Oh man this ppv is REALLY bad so far I just don’t even have the motivation to properly dissect these matches. Vader was looking pretty slow, Kane wasn’t performing that’s well it just wasn’t that great and the crowd had no pops during the whole bout.
The whole next section was so weird… the king literally takes a hall of famers leg off and gets assaulted by a literal like 80 year old? I don’t know what on earth this was all about. I looked it up and apparently Vince was telling Lawler to do this but it just came off as mean spirited and cringe. Please DX, please do something fun and save this event.
DX is very over with the crowd as they do a little showboating and talk to the people in attendance which was good before the match. The nation then walk out to the rocks music for whatever reason.
The crowd was pretty disinterested, chanting boring at points in this match and you can’t blame them it’s been a very slow night with not a lot to get hyped about. This PPV has really shown how thin the roster can feel. We’ve had Edge promo videos recently so I’m very excited for him to come in and mix up the matches in the mid card.
I thought the match was well worked though it just dragged on a little bit too long. I thought Owen hart and Hunter looked great and it made it interesting when they were at each others throats in the match because of their feud continually going on. Road dog actually impressed me as well he took some great hits and looked clean in the ring. I really don’t enjoy The Nations reliance on rest holds, they always do it and in a 6 man tag team match during a ppv semi main event they just shouldn’t do it; tag in someone else and mix it up. The crowd did have one pop for the spiked piledrivers on top of the belt. But when the nation won the crowd absolutely went mild. They did okay and it was better than anything else we’ve seen tonight but that’s not really saying much.
If this main event doesn’t hit then this PPV I will class as an absolute STINKER!! It has to hit, with all the heat between McMahon and Austin at the moment it just has to be interesting at the very least.
I didn’t realise that pat jerry and McMahon were all involved as officials for this match all playing roles to screw over Austin. The odds are completely stacked against Austin. We get a brilliant promo video really hyping up this main event and okay I’m back alive now I have faith that this match will save the event from being a failure. I will note though they seriously need to improve the mid card matches.
It was a great idea to have the ring announcers read from cards, it portrays that they’re just bigging themselves up to levels they don’t deserve, a great small detail to put themselves over as the heel “team”. They all get a huge round of boos as they are announced and brought to the ring, I can’t wait for the Austin pop. People REALLY don’t like Vince here as he’s got drinks and trash being thrown at him in the ring. Dude love is up next as the corporate version of his character, and I think it’s a combo that works really well. THIS IS GREAT WWF MORE OF THIS!! I applaud them for stretching this out as long as possible this is the right type of hype and buildup that works well. The ring announcer pat did a great job introducing everyone to the ring and refusing to introduce stone cold. The glass shatters and the crowd loses it, everyone is ready for Austin to open a can of whoop ass on all these fools, and I’m excited for the first time during this ppv. ALL OF A SUDDEN UNDERTAKERS MUSIC PLAYS AND YES! YES YES! I’m so glad he’s involved in this ppv in some way I had no clue he was going to be here. He will act as a “protector of the peace” kind of character here and make sure no shenanigans goes down. Great work. Would’ve liked to see him actually wrestle though 😒.
The match is underway and after Vince breaks Austin off foley he flips McMahon off for a MASSIVE pop from the audience. They continue to wrestle and it’s just getting going when the crowd chants “Vince is gay”, brilliant. Austin then takes foleys teeth out and stamps on them, complete disrespect. Austin takes a great looking bump on the steel steps as they both make their way to the outside of the ring as undertaker looks on. Just him being there improves the match even more. Austin takes another hard bump from an Irish whip to the corner and foley is in control during the early goings of this match. The crowd is thunderous right now having the JR and Lawler needing to shout to be heard.
Austin is thrown over the Spanish commentator table (this always makes me laugh as it’s ALWAYS them that people get thrown into) and it’s announced that this is a NO DQ match. Just brilliant stuff. Austin gets back in control though just demolishing foley by throwing him into the timekeepers area, over the barrier and he plays to the crowd in the middle of the audience, this was an amazing visual. It’s so impressive how Austin can have these matches even with his neck injury and knee troubles that he’s had. It’s then announced that falls count anywhere and there’s just less and less regulation as we go on, this could get really chaotic and I’m all here for it!
Austin is thrown on top of a car hood and foleys laying in some damage but Austin hot shots foley into another car. They’re making use of the creative set getting on top of one of the cars but foley throws Austin face first across another of the cars. Foley sunset flips off a car to a close 2 and a half kick out. This back and forth is f***ing brilliant.
Austin’s been busted open as foley assaults him with a metal pipe but Austin comes back with a flurry of right hands. But foley once again counters hitting him with two suplexes on the concrete floor but still Austin manages to kick out. Foley goes to drop an elbow from the top of a car but Austin rolls out of the way. McMahon slow counts but foley kicks out and Vince is intimidated by undertaker watching on closely. They make their way back to the ring and foley has exposed the turnbuckle after brisco trips Austin up and foley gets a chance to lay in some damage again. Foley hits Austin with a clean looking running knee and throws him into the exposed turnbuckle again, to which foley locks in a chin hold and we get a shot reminiscent of WM13 with hart and Austin. Patterson hands foley a chair and he hits Austin with a massive shot to the back, and a DDT on top of the chair but Austin continues to kick out.
The crowd is electric for this match as Austin counters with a kick to the face while foley holds a chair up, Austin then hits the chair on the ropes hitting himself in the face which was really funny. Foley hits McMahon with a chair, Austin hits a stunner, another ref comes down, brisco drags him out, undertaker drags brisco out, he hits him with a choke slam, he hits Patterson with a choke slam, Austin with another stunner and Austin uses McMahons arm to count himself and retain the title.
I couldn’t even keep up with the ending to that match that was pure insanity! It’s a car wreck in and out of the ring as the undertaker and Austin share a respectful look at each other and Austin celebrates in the ring after overcoming the odds. The crowd absolutely loved that match and so did I. By far match of the night, BY FAR. They absolutely knocked it out of the park, pure entertainment from bell to bell including before the match even started with Patterson and brisco. This also sets up some other potential matches in the wwf off this main event as I’m assuming dude love won’t get another chance at the title. A fantastic main event that exceeded expectations for me.
Overall this event is not worth watching at all, except for the main event. The main event seriously saved this ppv from being a complete failure, the crowd were bored and disinterested and even booed and chanted boring during the semi main event. Skip absolutely everything and just watch the main event because it was really good. This should be a message to the wwf that the mid card is really lacking any proper star power and I’m assuming at some point this year they will bolster their roster to improve this.
Irrespective of the main event I can’t give this ppv over 2 as the mid card was so unbelievably weak.
Overall rating 2/5