Album first: https://imgur.com/a/MGXfOcM
Why Mexican shoes? Because I live in Mexico, and they are more affordable and easy to find than other options. Besides, I get to support local business, and that is a big plus for me. Obviously, English is not my first language, so bear with me.
Disclaimer: This review has been completely sponsored by my compulsive shopping. I have not received any free boots or discounts, but if someone wants to give a free pair of boots, my feet are ready.

Brand: Urban Wolf Club

https://verneleather.com/
First, a little clarification. I got this boots from Verne Leather, but they were made by Urban Wolf Club. Verne Leather is just a brand. I think the guys from Urban Wolf Club deserve the credit here.
There's a couple of review for them already on this sub. Urban Wolf Club has a made to order model. You can see some of their models on their website, but I would recommend contacting them on social media so you can customize your boots.
Urban Wolf Club: https://urbanwolfclub.com/the-urban-wolf/
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/theurbanwolfclub/
Verne leather: https://verneleather.com/
Take a look at their last videos on IG, you'll see they can do some interesting and different boots.

The boots:

I'm gonna piggyback a few comments made by other Redditors:

• "They would qualify as a bludgeoning weapon, very heavy". I completely agree on this. I have no proof, but also no doubt that in the event of a nuclear apocalypse, cockroaches and these particular boots will be the last things standing.
• "They're impeccable to my eye". I also agree on this. A lot of $150-$200 are good quality "for the price". These boots are good quality for any price range, but the fact they're only $150 is outstanding.

They have thick leather uppers, full leather lining, Goodyear welt construction, cork filling, steel shank, leather midsole and rubber outsole. No gusseted tongue, but they have a lace loop (or whatever it's called) in the tongue which keeps it from sliding to the side. The welt joint is almost invisible, it's the best I've ever seen.

Would I buy from Urban Wolf Club again:

Yep, I actually ordered a pair of boots for my brother as a gift. I have a few tips if you're planning on buying from them:

• Don't be afraid to contact them on social media and modify their usual boots. I would love to see these boots in a shedron or burgundy color with tan stitching. I'm starting in leather crafting and I got a few samples of some really nice leathers from Lefarc Tannery:
  • Albatros Leather: Corrected grain, chrome tanned and mix retanned. Hot stuffed with pull up effect. Link
  • Argos leather: Full grain leather, 100% veg tan, pull up effect. Link
• Ask them about sizing and width. I bought stock boots from Verne Leather that had an E or EE last, but I'm a 9D. I should have ordered directly from Urban Wolf Club to get my proper size.
• I'm not a fan of the stamped logo on the side, you can ask them to leave that out.

Hi selling manga sets and cheap singles covers. I couldn’t get a timestamp photo that showed everything in one shot so I did two. The first will be of the manga sets and the second will be all the miscellaneous singles/hard covers. Everything show second timestamp in the box is 50% off msrp if you purchase more than 40$ shipping is free within the US otherwise I’ll just add 5$ to the total. All manga sets will have free shipping within the US. If you want more photos of anything just let me know. Sorry if it’s a bit confusing but if you have questions/offers shoot me a message.
Timestamp for manga sets: https://imgur.com/a/QT0AlOg
(Sold!) Basilisk complete 50$ volumes 1-4 are in G4 volume 5 is ex library but with no stickers or stamps on top of the pages so around G3. (SOLD!)
Neon genesis omnibuses 1-4 45$ all volumes are G4
Doubt plus judge complete 95$ volumes are like G3-G4
Vinland saga 1-12 120$ all are in great shape easily G4
Timestamp for miscellaneous manga: https://imgur.com/a/LoKQiYZ
Everything show in this timestamp I’ll sell for half off msrp. Purchase more than 40$ and I’ll include shipping otherwise it’s 5$ extra. (Trigun volume 1 sold!) and the gunslinger girl volumes and 7 billion needles are ex library
Free shipping only applies within the US you will have to cover shipping if you want anything shipped internationally.

hello yall i ran into an issue recently during my dnd planning certain locations have certain times that they are open (blue water inn) but how in the world does one track the time accurately i introduce you to my system its quite simple keep in mind this is iteration number one so if you have any suggestions let me know i plan to do some play testing next session

• two d10s that functions as the minute hand of a clock
• one d12 functions as the our hand
• and to add a little spice a d4 adds a am-pm function by breaking the clock into four parts 1 being 1am-6am 2 is 7am-12pm 3 for 1pm-6pm and 4 as 7pm-12am
• night being 4 and 1 day being 2 and 3
• here is a table for the times of actions

Activity Durations

Activity	Duration	Description
Combat	6 seconds/round	Each round of combat lasts 6 seconds.
Short Rest	1 hour	Time taken to rest and regain some abilities.
Long Rest	8 hours	Full rest to regain health and spells.
Exploring a Room	10-30 minutes	Searching a room thoroughly.
Travel (overland)	1 hou2-3 miles	Traveling through average terrain.
Simple Conversation	1-5 minutes	Quick exchanges of information.
Detailed Conversation	10-20 minutes	In-depth discussions or negotiations.
Research	1 houpage	Researching in a library or similar setting.
Eating a Meal	30 minutes	Time spent eating a full meal.
Crafting/Smithing	4 hours	Time for a basic crafting or smithing task.

Combat Round Conversion

Rounds	Minutes	Adjustment to Time Dice
10	1	Increment minute dice by 1
20	2	Increment minute dice by 2
30	3	Increment minute dice by 3

Dialogue Time Estimates

Type of Dialogue	Estimated Duration	Adjustment to Time Dice
Simple Question/Answer	1-2 minutes	Increment minute dice by 1-2
Brief Exchange	3-5 minutes	Increment minute dice by 3-5
Detailed Discussion/Negotiation	10-20 minutes	Increment minute dice by 10-20
Lengthy Debate/Storytelling	30+ minutes	Increment minute dice by 30+

Didn't know whether to tag this as a table dispute or a DMing issue because it's sort of 50/50.
New to DMing, only about 2 months and half the handbook into figuring stuff out and learning as I go along, players are very okay with this because they also know basically nothing as this is all their first campaign outside of a maybe 1 or 2 having played a one-shots before.
I have 7 PCs (I host in a school and had to turn away so many people) but thought I could deal with 7 as the campaign seemed pretty short and basic. Honestly despite the large number of people I still believe I could host it if the entire party was actually cooperative.
5 of the 7 are probably the best players I could hope for, being super open to suggestions, interacting with all my NPCs, causing just the right amount of chaos to have fun but not derail my campaign completely, they just generally seem to be having so much fun working with the material I'm giving them which is such a relief as a new DM, because I was super afraid of boring them or doing something wrong having known none of them prior to hosting.
The main issue I'm having is with the other 2 PCs, one of them specifically being much worse than the other but they kinda come as pair having joined together as friends.
A little context before explaining the next part I'm 17F and these two players are 34M (who I'm gonna call B) & 31M (who I'm gonna call C). I have no problem with being the youngest of the group of 7, there's a range of ages of people closer in age to me as well as some in there early and late 20s, all a mix of men and women, but B & C do happen to be the oldest two.
B has been getting on my nerves since the first session we had, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt, chalking any interruptions or over eager attention grabbing as a first time player just trying to suss things out. When I got everyone to introduce their characters and explain any backstory, race features, personality all that fun stuff he seemed genuinely interested in playing so I was super hyped about having him as a player, he wanted to play a dwarven cleric, which I was interested in seeing, having a healer with a high AC is really helpful!
Campaign starts and I introduce the first encounter, giving an option for the party to run as they were only 2nd level with only their starting weapons and spells. B immediately attacks, no consulting the party, which is fine I guess, he's excited for combat and I'm pumped to run my first encounter. Party finishes first encounter, runs into the first NPC, a very important one that literally runs everything in the island their on, a little old woman sitting writing in the library.
I go to describe said little old lady and start to get into character, B immediately interrupts before I can finish my second word asks to behead her and rolls to attack. I'm running a pre bought campaign, not a clue how to to do a majority of things story progressing wise and this NPC is a very important pivot for plot. The other PCs are also appalled, wanting to enjoy their first ever NPC encounter, having many questions already about the place they're in and the encounter they've already had.
It becomes very apparent in the next few sessions that B is nothing but a murderhobo, supported by C who also thinks this is very entertaining, while the rest of the party have to spend every minute of their time watching the PCs and making sure they don't try to kill the plot and destroy everything in their sight in the process. My players have gone from having fun and being filled with excitement to having to watch B as a chore to ensure they can continue to play, going as far as to grapple and restrain him for half a session just to be able to investigate the area I had prepared without B killing the NPCs.
On top of this, in actual combat B is very impatient, constantly interrupting me on other players turns to ask if it's his turn yet. There's this unspoken rule that everyone very graciously follows, no phones at the table unless you need it for your character sheet, to check spells or something along those lines. B also constantly betrays that rule despite being asked not to, watching tiktok when I'm not directly addressing him, even answering phone calls in the middle of combat when it's not his turn and instead of leaving the room just talks over the table, again, despite being asked to leave the room if needing to answer phone calls or anything else that would cause disruption.
B's also been making me super uncomfortable, every week I come in he brags about his salary to me, even going as far as to pull up his pay slips in the middle of encounters (when it's not his turn) and interrupt another PCs turn to show me. I don't even give it the time of day anymore, it's rude to both me and the PCs and C is just as bad for supporting his actions.
It's annoyed me so much I brought it to the rest of the group and they all agree they're not the right fit for the party, they're both obviously looking for a combat heavy adventure which is not at all what I'm running. They bring very weird vibes to the table, C even messaging outside of the group chat we have (taking my number without my permission) and trying to start conversation. I ran into him after our session last week outside of the club with a friend as we coincidentally were in the same movie screening, and got a message afterwards asking if I would see a movie with him and his friends.
I don't know these people longer than maybe 6 weeks, only seeing them for 2 hours once a week. It's possible I'm reading into it and being overly cautious because of the sort of rep men have towards women in the gaming community, especially younger women, despite it being way better than previous decades past. The rest of the group do think it's weird though so I'm not alone in picking up the odd vibes two are bringing to the table.
TLDR: At the end of the day kicking them from the party is completely my decision as the DM and a smaller, well rounded, cooperative party is a lot easier to run with than murderhobos. I suppose my only fear is the backlash it might cause as I am running it in a school, funded by student services (the room we use, the dice, notebooks, handbooks, etc.) and kicking the two from the campaign may cause them to complain out of spite and get the whole club shut down, as they are both members of the student board.

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/yXNxqOM
Aimpoint Comp ML2 - Like new in box. If you're allergic to sodium, this is your guy. Does not appear to have ever been used; I only mounted it. 4 MOA is ultra bright, original 1/3N battery is still fresh. Glass is perfect. Includes Aimpoint flip-up covers. Box includes original Aimpoint manual covering the Comp M and 9000 series. - $335 shipped
KAC RAS - Vero Beach marked, 07/13/99 born on date. Some salt present, but otherwise pretty solid condition, especially for age. Bought from a user on here as part of set. RIS lower, marking font matches upper exactly. Both upper and lower rail are phone number marked (561 represent) - $285 shipped
Colt C stamp upper - Near mint condition upper. No more than a few hundred rounds through it at absolute most, and likely way less, None by me. Hardly any wear on the interior. Only salt to be found is a speck on the case deflector and at T1-T2. Subdued T marks. Proof mark forward of ejector port. Perfect for a proper clone build. - $235 shipped
Colt carry handle - Actual Colt handle. Square Forge. 6920 take-off purchased from Green Oak Armory. Looks new to me, no salt. I mounted it once and then removed it. - $69 shipped
Surefire m951 - Excellent condition. Gen 2 body (not 3). Very minimal salt on head (pictured) and nowhere else. Sat on a safe queen. Clean body. Clean glass. Original MN10 bulb installed. Old style ST07 tapeswitch included, also in excellent shape. Everything works exactly as it should. Full disclosure: the small plastic XM00 cover has separated from tailcap but works perfect and will be included. (Light diffuser also included but needs adapter for use on this light.) - $185 shipped
Colt ambi safety - Excellent condition. Cage code marked. Used by me for 200-300 rounds and no more. Colt cage code marked. I gently removed what little carbon there was. - $34 shipped
KAC rail covers - Excellent unfired condition. 11-rib, y'all already know what it is. These were purchased new by me as part of an '07 dated RAS set. Only mounted and removed. (You guys shoot your guns?) - $34 shipped
Dibs here first then PM. Thanks.

Not selling anything for caps. Values are there to help determine ratios, if there's any confusion just list what you have and what you want and I'll do the math :)
Larger trades only please
My Trades 👇

• ⚠️ = Low Supply (ask for numbers) _____
• Caps 🪙💰
• 40,000+ _____
• Flux / Lead 🔴🟢🟣🪨
• Crimson (75c)
• Fluorescent (95c)
• Violet (85c)
• Lead (3c) _____
• Bobbleheads 🔫💥⚡️
• Leaders (650c)
• Big Guns (160c)
• Small Guns (195c)
• Energy Weapons (155c)
• Explosive (145c) _____
• Aid/Chems/Misc 💊💉
• Berry Mentats (90c)
• Formula P (90c)
• MK3 Stealth Boys (150c)
• Nuka Cola [Regular] (30c)
• Nuka Cola [Grapes] (20c)
• Mr Fuzzy Tokens (3c)
• Psychobuff (55c)
• Psychotats (55c) _____
• Treasure Maps 🗺📍
• Ash Heap #1 (50c)
• Cranberry Bog #1 (110c per)⚠️
• Cranberry Bog #4 (100c per)
• Savage Divide #1 (55c per)
• Toxic Valley #3 (95c per)⚠️ _____
• Ammunition 🎯📦 (1c/per unless listed)
• .45 (0.8c)
• .50 (0.7c)
• 10mm
• 2mm ECs
• 5.56 (0.8c)
• 5mm (0.7c)
• Alien Blaster Rounds
• Cryo Cells
• Fuel
• Fusion Cells (0.8c)
• Railway Spikes
• Shotgun Shells
• Ultracite .308 (0.8c)
• Ultracite .50 (0.6c)
• Ultracite 10mm
• Ultracite 2mm ECs
• Ultracite 5.56 (0.7c)
• Ultracite 5mm (0.6c)
• Ultracite Fusion Cells (0.8c)
• Ultracite Shotgun Shells

‼️📝⬇️ WISHLIST ITEMS ⬇️📝‼️

• Acid ------------ (2c)
• Adhesive ----- (4c)
• Antiseptic ---- (3c)
• Asbestos ----- (3c)
• Ballistic Fiber - (5c)
• Black Titanium (3c)
• Bones ---------- (2c)
• Ceramic ------- (2c)
• Circuits -------- (4c)
• Cloth ----------- (0.5c)
• Coal ------------- (2c)
• Concrete ------ (2c)
• Copper --------- (5c)
• Cork ------------- (2c)
• Fertilizer ------- (3c)
• Fiberglass ---- (0.5c)
• Fiber Optics -- (7c)
• Gears ----------- (4c)
• Glass ----------- (0.5c)
• Gold ------------- (5c)
• Gunpowder -- (0.5c)
• Leather ------ (0.5c)
• Nuclear Waste (5c)
• Oil ------------------ (5c)
• Plastic ----------- (2c)
• Rubber ---------- (0.5c)
• Screws --------- (2c)
• Silver ------------ (5c)
• Springs --------- (5c)
• Steel ------------ (0.5c)
• Ultracite -------- (6c)
• Wood ----------- (0.5c) _____
• Canned Coffee --- (15c)
• Canned Meat Stew (150c)
• Nuka Dark -------- (50c)
• Nuka Twist ------- (30c)
• Pemmican ------- (130c)
• Pepper ----------- (25c)
• Salt ---------------- (25c)
• Sugar ------------- (30c)
• Spices ----------- (30c) _____
• 3* Weapon Scrip - (450c)

Time stamp: https://imgur.com/a/LO8hMTP PS5 (cables included, just a PITA to unplug ATM): https://imgur.com/a/KxNzJuu
Hi there, selling/trading a few things, and in search of a few others.
Selling:
PS5 Bundle - SV: $375 TV: $400 PS5 Original Disc Edition 2 White Controllers 1 Docking Station for 2 Controllers Power Cord & HDMI NBA 2K22, NBA 2K23, Battlefield 2042 discs
Wilson Combat P365XL grip - no MS - $50 w/o weights, $60 w/ weights P365 X-Macro OEM grip - no MS, S/M/L back straps - $65
Potentially selling (pricing as a bundle) - SV: $500 TV: $525
P320 XCompact complete slide - OEM Optic ready, night sights, 3.6” barrel, RSA - ~500 rounds through it P320 XCompact Grip Module - no MS P320 Wilson Combat Compact Grip Module - no MS w/ or w/o weights 3x 10rd P320 Compact Magazines
Looking for:
Basically looking to change out my P320 FCU from the XCompact to something larger like the 3.9”, 4.7” or 5.0” barrel length builds. Looking for complete slides, grip modules, optics, etc.
Edit:
Payment will have to be PP G&S. Listed prices do not reflect the fee. Shipping is included in pricing.
Unless we use proxy.

Hello, after trying to play the first level of the game with my friends, my game will often crash within ~30min of starting the level (crash happens much earlier when playing with bots). When it does crash, it gives one of 3 results: freezing for 2 seconds and crashing with an AMD driver timeout, freezing then making my screen go black for about a minute, or freezing with an AMD driver timeout, but the audio still works. I read online that it could be a PSU issue, but undervolting only made the crash happen earlier. When I open the windows crash log, and scroll until I find the error, I get this in the general section:
Faulting application name: GTFO.exe, version: 2019.4.21.28076, time stamp: 0x602de118
Faulting module name: d3d11.dll, version: 10.0.22621.3527, time stamp: 0xbd4a4779
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x000000000010565d
Faulting process id: 0x0x1438
Faulting application start time: 0x0x1DAA96F00CBF8C3
Faulting application path: D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\GTFO\GTFO.exe
Faulting module path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\d3d11.dll
Report Id: 047d4b54-854c-45f9-896a-f789858dc6d5
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:
specs: AMD RX76000 8GB, AMD Ryzen 5 5600x3d, 16GB 3000MHz DDR4, 500W PSU.
EDIT: I might have fixed it by overclocking VRAM, will update later if it ends up crashing

I am trying hard to create a local environment running under "*.test" domain to reassemble the production env
The available tools? Docker swarm, Traefik, a single standalone Dnsmasq container that I am feeding with the output of docker inspect command.
Traefik #1 wires end user with all front domains using self signed cert, this works fine (a sticky cookie redirects to nginx replicas that picks stateless rounded Robin php-fpm API). This is all good.
Now from PHP container I want to connect to container named "mailer" using PHP SDK, and the SDK library yells at me that this URI does not comply with some random RFC scheme - fine, but now I have to somehow create a legit domain for this library to let me go further.
My idea is to create another Traefik instance isolated in microservice network just for that purpose, so one Traefik would stay public and another one for private traffic.
With some limited shell scripting (ehh) I am attempting to inject dnsmasq into microservice network so all containers here that would hit *.test would be proxied through the #2 private Traefik, therefore I could create something like "mailer.test" working.
I guess all of the Traefik instances here could be just simple nginx reverse proxy, but I am reducing shell scripting as much as I can, and I hate to generate server blocks at runtime

Axstrom's Notes

1. The list is here: big jump list
2. The draw (1-5548) is 877, 1520, 4754, 5265, 1478
   1. Drawing 5 so there are backups in case of issues, but the jumper gets to choose among 4
   2. 877 is Earth Final Conflict - A TV show whewre aliens come and uplift Earth but have a hidden agenda
   3. 1520 is Investiture of the Gods - A fantasy tale in Zhou Dynasty
   4. 4754 is Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep - a Disney mashup videogame
   5. 5265 is The Fountain - A film about contuinity across time, grief, death, and growth
   6. Jumper chooses The Fountain
      1. Jump Doc
      2. Reddit discussion
   7. Jumper buys access to The Biosphere Supplement
      1. Supplement Doc

Build Notes

1. Drawbacks - None - Part of the point is that you can't have everything
2. Companions - None - This is the journey of an individual soul
3. Origin
   1. Past: Noble - setting the stage for grander thigns
   2. Present: Inventor - striving for progress
   3. Future: Witness - seeing what has become of the world
4. Perks
   1. Noble Thought - free for Noble, stay connected to the people who are affected by your actions
   2. Noble Deed - free for Noble, your actions have greater impact and are remembered and recorded
   3. Inventor's Vision - free for inventor, studying a problem gives increasing insight in how to improve it
   4. Inventor's Intent - free for inventor, your creations are harder to misuse
   5. Improved POV - free for witness, observe / remember events from multiple perspectives
   6. Bystander - free for witness, events can unfold around you leaving you unharmed
   7. All Together Now - merge all your past origins into a complex mind
   8. 500 Years of Practice (Teaching) - mastery beyond mastery of the chosen skill
   9. Soothing Presence - calm strong emotions and suffering
   10. Absolution - If someone genuinely repents, you can allow them to move
5. Items
   1. Meditation Garden - self-explanatory warehouse attachment
   2. Biosphere - Full purchase activates the Biosphere Supplement
   3. Tree of Life Sapling - Grows six immortality fruits per decade, which can (over very long time) grow more trees

Jump Notes

1. I wake up in my room in the warehouse apartments, after shutting myself in without even checking the Benefactor's Lounge the night before
   1. I'm still lingering on the frustration of not cracking the riddle of Allabar, and not being able to solve the problem permanently
   2. But there's no going back, so I commit to facing forward for the rest of the week, and head to the Benefactor room
      1. Once again, there are four envelopes with me, and my big chart of jumps up on the wall, like something from a Kindergarten classroom
      2. As I affix a sticker saying "The Fountain (2006)" to the big chart, a small round outline appears next to it: "Biosphere Supplement available"
   3. On my way to call a team meeting, I catch a surprise outside the apartments
      1. Three of our bard graduates are slowly exploring the area
   4. At the team meeting, I announce my intention to go solo on the next jump
      1. The decision isn't popular, but most of them have waited while I've done gauntlets before, so it's not a big shock
   5. We set up the entertainment room to watch the movie, even though I don't expect that meta knowledge will be much help
      1. For the first time, we don't all fit in the Entertainment room
      2. By count, there are eleven of us (me and ten companions), the Halflings are now up to fifteen after two recent births, and we have nine new bards with us, so we set up a second showing in the evening
   6. Finally, before heading in to the jump, I make one last check of the Benefactor's office to see if there's more information on the biosphere supplement, but though my note has been removed, there is no response, and nothing on the tablet
2. I awake from a deep sleep in a luxurious bed, it is early morning and the sun is still rising
   1. I can feel the absence of my abilities; I am reduced below even bodymod, to the level of a baseline middle-aged man in a world with primitive medicine
      1. Nevertheless, I can feel a gift reaching back in time to me - and as I accept it, I am calmed, no longer distressed by what I have lost
   2. In this time, I have duties, both in the mundane sense of the tasks those around me expect me to perform, as well as a greater sense in which I must try to make this world better
   3. My new gift becomes invaluable in due time
      1. All manner of petitioners and officers come to me with grievances, and each of them are a storm of emotions - no one comes before their Count to declare how satisfied they are with things
      2. In short time, word of my wisdom spreads, and my council is sought by King Ferdinand
   4. I lobby my King with an eye to improving the lives of all involved
      1. It is the lives of ordinary Spaniards that are the measure of his ability as a King, not the mass of his treasury
      2. Colonialism brings with it dangers beyond the obvious, and responsibilities for ages to come
      3. Allowing the priests to destroy artifacts of other cultures does not increase our glory, but diminishes it
   5. Despite my ability to make my case clearly and seemingly overcome all objections, my guidance is rarely heeded when I leave the room
   6. And before long, it seems I have made enemies of those who stand to gain by plundering the New World
      1. They do not discuss the matter with me, or make their displeasure known by facing me down in violence
      2. But as the breath leaves my lungs over dinner, my last thought is that I have been poisoned by a coward
3. I awake from a fitful sleep in a large bed, my wife still asleep beside me despite the chirping of my alarm clock
   1. My first throught is of the date - It is September 7, 1999 - the first day of fall semester
      1. This will not be my first time teaching CS 101, but this time will be different, I can feel the power in my body, my mind, and my soul
   2. I arrive at my office early, of course, and make sure everything is in order - the syllabus handouts are ready, my slides are in order and proof-read, and my TAs have confirmed their preparedness
      1. The lecure hall is large - so many students sign up for CS 101 without any prior programming knowledge, just to see what it's like, or convinced that they will be a natural
      2. As the students file in, they sparsely occupy the massive auditorium, afraid to sit near people they don't know, not fully understanding that for the vast majority of them, this is their first class on campus, their first opportunity to get to know eachother
      3. I exhort them to move towards the front so they can hear and see better, and a few oblige
      4. The first lecture flows like a breeze, the students hanging on my words as I understand what each one needs to hear to understand what the rest of this semester will hold
   3. By semester's end, the students and TAs are in awe, the CS department chair has asked for my materials and told me that spring registrations for CS102 are higher than ever, both of the student papers have run articles praising my class, and the dean of Arts and Sciences has interceded to clear my spring schedule to prioritize my research work on the condition that I teach 101 again next year
      1. I appreciate my grad students and TAs, but I don't have a real family in this life, so I head into the warehouse for winter break
4. I awaken rested and enthusiastic on a beautiful spring day
   1. It is graduation day for the first group of freshman I taught after coming to this jump, nearly four years ago
      1. They have come so far, and I'm fortunate that some of the best have continued to work with me, and three of them will be graduate students working under me starting in the fall
   2. It is also the first day of human trials for the drug, a new anti-inflammatory
      1. We were hoping it would treat chronic inflammatory diseases, but early testing suggests that it may significantly reduce hay fever, which would be great if we can mass produce it cheaply
   3. My reputation at the school has skyrocketed thanks to the combination of my groundbreaking research plus my teaching perks ensuring high instructor reviews as well as students learning and retaining more
      1. My tenure process has been fast-tracked, since the dean is rightly concerned about losing me to another institution
5. I awaken slowly, and awkwardly, as if from a coma, as a cocktail of drugs is released into my body, still restrained on my cryobed
   1. Our vessel, the Cyllene, is essentially a large asteroid with a hole carved in the middle, stuffed with propellent, equipment, supplies, expansive aquaponics facilities, and a relatively tiny living area
      1. Cyllene was said to have nursed and protected Hermes, as this vessel must nurture and protect us, the first observers, and hopefully, colonists,
   2. As my body and mind resume normal function over the course of 90 minutes, I get a slow trickle of updates on the status of the Cyllene and our mission
      1. The mission clock says it's 202 years since we left Earth, but thanks to time dilation, Earth has experienced 221
      2. Computer Block 5 (of 8) is currently undergoing automated reconstruction as the block with the highest error correction rate at the time the last automated reconstruction completed
      3. 1575 individuals are currently in cryosleep, and 25 (including me) are active, all sufficiently healthy
      4. I am still Dr. John Axstrom, revered teacher and groundbreaking computational pharmacologist, but my consciousness seems to have jumped forward a few hundred years, skipping past the development of miracle cures, life extension medications, and cryogenic preservation of humans
   3. As I realign with my memories and identity, I remember why I'm here
      1. If colonization proceeds, the coming generations are going to need exceptional teachers if they are to learn their place in the universe, and I'm one of the best there ever was
      2. Our mission is expected to take about 750 years from departure to arrival, and though the vast majority of that time is spent in cryosleep, we take shifts being "awake" to ensure systems are functioning and keep eachother mentally and physically healthy
   4. Since the monitoring systems will throw a fit if I straight up disappear from the vessel, I take a long ride out to the external "observation" check, out of the range of most of the sensor systems
      1. There's not really much to observe in deep space - it's like the night sky, as the ancients saw it with no light pollution, but from a different perspective
      2. Here I quickly form a stunt double duplicate, hand over my electronics, and duck into the warehouse
   5. The warehouse clock confirms my suspicions - I'm nearly seven years into the jump
      1. Since it looks like this isn't going to take nearly 1000 years, the team hasn't been going full-stasis mode
      2. The bards have been poring over J-Borg's personal library as well as the impressive collection of the warehouse media room
      3. But the reason I came is the Tablet of the Free - I'm stuck on a large but still confined deep-space vessel until my scheduled return to cryosleep - how is that supposed to entertain the boss?
      4. After confirming nothing interesting is in the warehouse, I head back to the observation deck, and stash the portable door I've been using back into hammer-space before re-merging with my stunt double, and taking the long trip back to the living area
6. I wake up to an unfamiliar synthetic beep - apparently the Cyllene's version of a doorbell
   1. When I open the door, one of my crewmates tells me that our directional antennas have picked up some unusual RF activity that seems to be coming from our destination system, and they want me (as the on-shift programmer) to help the astronomer, comms, and operations staff to help make sense of it, and ensure we're not about to get nuked by a magnetar or something
   2. Initial findings were sparse and inconclusive - just occasional pulses of a signal that must have been very strong and highly directional at the time of transmission, to reach us so far away
   3. But I had access to diagnostic tools that the astrophysicists and comms staff didn't, for all their training and equipment: a series of perks specifically for teasing out the needles of relevance from the haystack of noise
      1. And as I looked at what we were seeing, and what we weren't, the answer became clear: these radio bursts looked just like a primitive form of RADAR
      2. At first my colleagues on the Cyllene were skeptical, but the evidence kept mounting, with 4 additional series of "pings" being detected in the next six weeks
   4. With the spectre of extraterrestrial intelligence hanging over the Cyllene, our XO followed protocol, and ordered the full complement to be wakened from cryosleep to assist in the work to come
   5. Within six months, we had fabricated and installed a much larger purpose-built directional antenna array on the surface of our asteroid hull, and reports of different signals were coming in almost daily
      1. We needed all the extra hands, even our mining and terraforming experts were lending a hand with signal analysis and attempts to form patterns
      2. The whole crew felt the urgency and wondered at the situation - temporally, it would mean that their early experiments with RADAR and initial RF broadcasts would have happened at about the same time as humans did those things on earth, and if they developed at the same rate as us (a big if), they would likely be more advanced when we arrivedd than humans were when we left (and thus the technology of our vessel), and would almost certainly see us coming
   6. The coming months flew past, each bringing further confirmation of suspicious, but with it frustration, as we had been unable to extract a coherent signal - the broadcasts we could pick up didn't appear to be using either amplitude or frequency modulation
      1. More than once I brought signal samples to the warehouse team, but they were just as stumped as us
      2. Even more "esoteric" means didn't work - we tried every variation of "Tongues" and "Comprehend Language" spells on printed, audioized, and even engraved versions of the RF signals we caught, but they all failed and the representations seemed full of too many discontinuities
   7. I could feel my new Inventor's Vision working on the task of how to decode these signals, and about two years after the first pulse was detected, I had my breakthrough
      1. The signals didn't represent continuous audio (like human radio) or even piece-by-piece visuals (like rasterized video), but something of each, and a little weirder
      2. They were composed of many (from seven to three hundred, and not consistent at all) micro-audio clips
      3. It was like making an ultra-low bitrate recordding of the voice of every singer in a chorus individually, and transmitting fifty milliseconds of one, then fifty milliseconds of the next, and so one, in serial, and then starting back again with the first voice
      4. We couldn't figure out why they did this, but once I was able to identify the break points between each "voice", I could layer them on top of eachother to make a composite audio version
      5. And that composite audio could be played, and was a viable candidate for magic translation
   8. The entire vessel went wild when I demonstrated the isolation and recombination of the signals to produce audio
      1. The sound of the thing was somewhat like the sound of multiple birds, frogs, and crickets in a forest, in very brief clips
      2. Of course, I didn't reveal that I had access to magic translation - I figured the comms and signals staff (and the one cryptographer) should have to earn their pay
   9. The remaining year and a half was spent in intense research, for them, while I mostly slacked off and tried to make conversation with the people doing important work on this front, since my actual mission here was to "observe" as humans of this universe underwent a sort of assymmetrical first contact
7. I awaken in my weird little pod bed in my weird little capsule room for the last time, perfectly aware of the remaining hours in this jump
   1. After the initial excitement died down, the majority of the colonists were put back into cryosleep, with only the decoding specialists and those "on shift" like me staying active
      1. There has been a lot of anxiety around the Cyllene for the last few months - we are clearly a colony ship and the intelligent inhabitants of that system probably do not want to be colonized, and may well be easily capable of destroying us
      2. There were discussions about trying to reverse course and head back to Earth, but we could do that any time, and the closer we get, the more information we can gather about the system and its inhabitants
   2. It would be cruel to try to skim supplies from this vessel even if there were something I wanted aboard, so I just wait my time out, helping where I can and secretly translating any communications we receive when time permits
      1. So far it has all been rather uninspiring, which makes me even more curious what kind of species would develop radio technology but not transmit any fiction or speeches or poetry
   3. When it's almost time, I once again make the long trek out to the Cyllene's observation deck alone, and split off a Stunt Double, who can at least stay here for a month, while I slip into the warehouse
      1. When I enter, J-Borg greets me and informs me of a message at the Benefactor's lounge
      2. The note on the door says "Supplement Pending - please attend as soon as possible", so I go in to check it out
      3. With the choices all locked in, the door unlocks and I head out to meet with the team
   4. With the memories of my time in Spain finally restored, I realize how I had been trying to communicate with myself all along, but failing
      1. The need for calm communcation and education will never end - among our closest neighbors or with a civilization 300 light years away
   5. We have the traditional group dinner in the commons, and discuss what's going on
      1. The team did end up spending most of the time in stasis, and the formerly-newborn halflings are a little over a year now biologically, learning to speak and walk
      2. When I mention the Biosphere supplement and how I wasn't allowed to consult them, they naturally asked when it would apply, but it hadn't even occurred to me that there were now definitely too many of us to wait out warehouse changes in the entrance hall, so I checked with the central control
   6. Afterward, no one was complaining when the doors finally unlocked and we were able to leave the commons hall, only to find that the door led to an outdoor path with a natural-looking sunset on the horizon
      1. I didn't want to spoil the whole setup yet, so I said we could tour in the morning, and turned off a number of the facilities and systems for the night, to give me some time to understand what options were available before letting my companions go wild with them
      2. Fortunately, the obvious items like the tree of life and factory complex were on other islands, that would be difficult to reach without the transport disks running
   7. And then I went to sleep again, wondering what the next awakening had in store for me

Notes on the Fountain Jump Doc

1. Honestly this doc has been on my to-try list since I saw it - I really enjoyed the movie and gladly rewatched it again when it came up in my random draw.
2. The author took some liberties with the source material, which makes sense because of how focused on Thomas the story is, and the extensions largely make sense
3. There were a few confusing things in the jump, such as how you get essences and what powers you bring with you into each phase of the jump, but a close reading makes them clear enough
4. The jump has a few really standout purchase
   1. the inventor's intention is the answer to a lot of concers that "do-gooder" jumpers are likely to have in their careers
   2. the full tree of life is an amazing item - the ability to grant perfect health and immunity to aging within a regrowing item solves a lot of problems
   3. 500 years of practice is amazing if you have a particular skill or art in mind - literally centuries better than the "10 years of practice" equivalents that you find din many other jumps, and has a lot of potential to synergize with other perks that scale off your skill in a particular area
   4. Biosphere is super cool if you want your fiat-backed warehouse to grow into something more
   5. The Dagger of the Path is a great example of a conceptual weapon, and something I probably would have picked up if I had a bunch more points
5. How you're supposed to interleave the three eras is a little unclear, and maybe I'm not a creative enough author to pull it off. I don't believe SJ Chan ever got around to writing a fictionalized account of jumping to it, unfortunately
   1. If anyone else has done a good jump fiction of this jump, please let me know
6. Overall absolutely a fantastic jump. Obviously a great option for anyone who likes the movie or wants to solve one of the specific problems available
   1. I'd especially recommend it for an early-chain jumper because of the generally low danger level and great variety of rewards

Notes on the Biosphere Supplement Doc

1. I knew this was something I wanted to pick up when I first read the fountain jumpdoc several months ago
2. I use the "Personal Reality" warehouse which was co-authored by SJ Chan, and this supplement feels perfectly tailored to supplement that
3. There are lots of good pickups for people with various interests, or those who just want to keep their options open
   1. Observation Deck seems like the real must-have since a lot of the other buys are controllable through it
4. The structure of the biosphere was a little confusing at first - I thought that there was an island, a void around the island, and a hard shell, and wasn't sure why you'd want to increase the shell thickness, but further reading cleared that up
5. On the whole, a good pick up, especially considering it only cost 400 CP in the jump, and normally buying warehouse upgrades with CP has a very unfavorable conversion, but in this case, the biosphere purchases all seemed cheaper than they ought to be.

(Builds to come in a separate post due to length restrictions)

This week’s vintage batch features black hard rubber pens from three of the Big Four American Makers of the 1910s-20s. Nibs range from Flex to Wet Noodle. As always, all are fully restored and ready to write.
 
ALBUM & TIMESTAMP
 
Pastable link: https://imgur.com/a/R5fpCKe
 
Condition (n.b.): All pens listed below have been disassembled, cleaned and restored with new sacs installed in the last couple weeks. Each of these pens is guaranteed to fill and write as designed without leaks or other problems. Nibs have been adjusted when necessary to ensure that all lay down a smooth and consistent line.
THESE PENS HAVE NO CRACKS, CHIPS, PERSONALIZATIONS, LOOSE OR MISSING PARTS, BENT NIBS, MISALIGNED TINES, BROKEN/WORN OFF TIPPING, OR THREADING ISSUES.
 
Line Widths and Writing Samples: To provide buyers with as much information as possible, I have started to adopt the following line width standards: XXF (.1-.2mm); XF (approx .3mm); F (approx .4mm); M (approx .6mm); B (approx .8mm). Nib flexibility is determined by variation (max line width under pressure) and softness (amount of pressure). Flexibility designations based on variation generally run as follows for an XF/F nib: Semi-Flex (approx. 1mm); Flex (1.2-1.9mm); Superflex (>2mm). All line width measurements are taken with a digital caliper but should be considered approximations providing a general guide. Width may vary slightly depending on type of ink and paper used as well as amount of pressure applied. All writing samples are on Rhodia dot paper using Waterman Serenity Blue.
 
 
1. 1920s Waterman 92 1/2 (BCHR, GPT, lever filler, 14k XF Flex nib). This slender (1/2-sized) model is longer than a ring top but slightly shorter than a 52, measuring 4 3/4” capped and 6” posted. Not to be confused with the later, celluloid 92, this 92 1/2 is made of black chased hard rubber with gold-plated trim. It’s the first I’ve ever encountered. Cap came clipless from the factory (no holes drilled for a clip), but has been outfitted with a gold-plated accommodation clip. Based on its absence from US catalogues, I believe this model was made strictly for foreign export. The barrel has a Canadian imprint while the nib reads “Ideal / England,” it being a common practice for Waterman’s Canadian pens to be finished in England. That 14k nib is a Flexible writer (note change from writing sample after taking measurement. It lays down a smooth and consistent XF line that widens to a 3B+ (approx 1.8mm) under moderate pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE). Thin hairlines and reliable flow over its full range of flex make it a great choice for shaded writing. Condition: fine [C]. This pen has no functional flaws but does show some use. Hard rubber is an even dark chocolate color – still much darker than the brown these can turn. Chasing is significantly yet evenly weakened across the cap and barrel. Hard rubber surface is smooth with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Gold-plating on the lever has a sliver of brassing in the center and parts of the clip look tarnished, though I’m not sure this amounts to full-fledged brassing. Manufacturer imprint on barrel and number stamp on barrel end are weakened but fully legible. An affordable user and a lovely writer for those wondering at what all the fuss is about early Watermans. Price: $150
 
2. 1910s Waterman 12 Eyedropper (BCHR, German Silver clip, eyedropper filler, 14k F Superflex nib). This full-sized model measures 5 1/8” capped. This slip-cap eyedropper is made of black chased hard rubber with a rivet clip marked “German Silver” – less common than the standard nickel clips. This pen is an eyedropper. The section unscrews for the barrel to filled using an eyedroppepipette – holds far more ink than a lever filler of the same size. My usual caveats about early eyedroppers apply here. If carried, it is not uncommon to find a little ink on the nib or in the cap. Super-Flexible 14k Ideal NY #2 nib lays down a smooth and consistent F line that widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.5mm) under light pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE). Easy variation and reliably wet flow over its full range of flex make it a great choice for calligraphic writing styles such as Copperplate and Spencerian. Condition: excellent- [B-]. Hard rubber of the cap is dark black with virtually no fading but center of barrel shows fading to dark chocolate under certain lights. Chasing on cap is sharp and deep but barrel chasing is very light and only visible when the light strikes it. German Silver clip is pristine with no brassing or other notable wear. Hard rubber surface is smooth with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Manufacturer imprint on barrel is weak but mostly legible while number stamp on barrel-end is all but worn away. Price: $190 [ON HOLD]
 
3. c.1918 Waterman 52 (BCHR, NPT w/ Sterling Silver clip, lever filler, 14k XXF Needlepoint Superflex nib). This full-sized model measures 5 5/16” capped. A nice example of Waterman’s celebrated workhorse made of black chased hard rubber with a sterling silver Ideal accommodation clip with “Waterman’s / Made in France” stamped on one side and a hallmark that reads “GP” on the other side (DETAIL PHOTO). This pen came clipless from the factory (no holes drilled for a rivet clip). Super-Flexible 14k Ideal NY #2 nib has a needlepoint width and superb snap-back that gives it a surgically precise feel when writing. It lays down a smooth and consistent XXF line that widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.2mm) under light pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE). Insanely responsive snap-back, needlepoint hairlines, and reliable flow over its full range of flex make it another excellent choice for calligraphic writing styles such as Copperplate and Spencerian. Condition: excellent [B]. Hard rubber retains its dark black color with virtually no fading. Chasing is weakened a bit yet readily visible over the cap and barrel. Hard rubber surface is smooth with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Manufacturer imprint on barrel is quite weak and only partly legible while number stamp on barrel-end is deep and fully legible. Price: $260 SOLD
 
4. c.1918 Waterman 52 in Box (BCHR, NPT, lever filler, 14k M/B Superflex Factory Stub nib). This full-sized model measures 5 5/16” capped. This pen comes in its original factory box with 5-page pamphlet including care and filling instructions as well as other offerings from Waterman (BOX PHOTO). It’s a clean 52 made of black chased hard rubber with nickel-plated trim including earlier, wide rivet clip. 14k Ideal #2 nib is a Super-Flexible Factory Stub that manages to deliver sharp unflexed variation without compromising smoothness. Under normal pressure it lays down a smooth and consistent M/B line (approx .7mm) on the down-strokes and XF line on the cross-strokes. And the line widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.0mm) under light pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE – note change in flex grade after measuring). A versatile nib whose responsive snap-back, easy variation, and reliable flow over its full range of flex make it well suited to shaded notes under normal pressure and calligraphic writing styles under flex, the Stub grind keeping one’s letterforms neat and straight. Condition: excellent+ [B+]. This pen and the one below came from an estate of someone who seems to have purchased these pens, wrote with them a few times, then stowed them away in their boxes. This one is definitely collector-grade, having seen very little use. Hard rubber retains its dark black color with no discernible fading. Chasing is evenly sharp and crisp. Hard rubber surface is smooth with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Manufacturer imprint on barrel and number stamp on barrel-end are deep and fully legible. Box is in sound condition with no torn ends but original owner managed somehow to burn a couple small holes in the paperwork. A boxed 52 with an uncommon nib in uncommonly clean condition. Price: $310 SOLD
 
5. c.1918 Waterman 55 in Box (BCHR, NPT, lever filler, 14k XF Flex/Superflex nib). This oversized model has a thick girth and measures 5 1/2” capped. This pen comes in its original factory box with 5-page pamphlet including care and filling instructions as well as other offerings from Waterman (BOX PHOTO). This pen is made of black chased hard rubber with nickel-plated trim including earlier, wide rivet clip. Commensurably oversized Ideal NY #5 nib yields Super-Flexible variation with Flexible softness. It lays down a smooth and consistent XF line that widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.1mm) under moderate pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE – note change in flex grade after measuring). Condition: excellent+/near mint [B+]. This pen came from the same estate as the 52 above and also resembles an artifact of a time capsule. Hard rubber retains its factory black color with no discernible fading. Chasing is factory sharp and crisp. Hard rubber surface is smooth with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Manufacturer imprint on barrel and number stamp on barrel-end are deep and fully legible. Box is in sound condition with no torn ends but original owner managed somehow to burn some small holes in the paperwork for this one as well. These big fellas are getting tougher to find, especially in this condition. Price: $440 SOLD
 
6. c.1921 Wahl Pen 72 (BCHR, NPT, lever filler, 14k XXF Superflex nib). This standard sized model measures 5 3/16” capped. Having purchased the assets of the Boston Fountain Pen Company, Wahl began manufacturing fountain pens in 1917. Wahl’s first pens were essentially rebranded Bostons and Tempoints (a NY company they acquired in 1918). The first full-fledged Wahls, dubbed simply “The Wahl Pen,” rolled off out of the factory in 1921. This 72 one of those pens. Its’s made of black chased hard rubber complemented by nickel-plated trim including Wahl’s patented roller-clip. The Wahl Pen is chiefly distinguished from earlier designs by its patented Wahl lever with apexed center. Super-Flexible 14k Wahl Pen #2 nib is a lovely writer. It lays down a smooth and consistent XF line that widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.4mm) under light pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE). Needlepoint hairlines, superbly responsive snap-back, and reliable flow over its full range of flex make it another great choice for calligraphic writing styles. Condition: excellent/near mint [B+]. Hard rubber retains its factory black color with virtually no fading/oxidation. Chasing is factory deep and crisp with no discernible wear. Surface is smooth and lustrous with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Nickel-plated trim is exceptionally clean with no brassing or other noteworthy blemishes apart from light scratching to the clip. Manufacturer imprint on barrel and number stamp on barrel-end are deep and fully legible. Price: $280
 
7. 1910s Parker Lucky Curve 20 (smooth BHR, eyedropper filler, 14k XF/F Superflex/Wet Noodle nib). This full-sized model measures 5 5/16” capped. Parker collectors know all too well how much harder it is to find early Parker eyedroppers compared to say, Waterman 12s. This simple, utilitarian Lucky Curve eyedropper from the early teens is made of smooth, black hard rubber. Slip cap came clipless from the factory (no holes drilled for a clip). Long Lucky Curve feed is intact. This pen is an eyedropper. The section unscrews for the barrel to filled using an eyedroppepipette – holds far more ink than a lever filler of the same size. My usual caveats about early eyedroppers apply here. If carried, it is not uncommon to find a little ink on the nib or in the cap. Early 14k Lucky Curve #2 nib with teardrop breather hole yields Super-Flexible variation with softness and flow verging on that of a Wet Noodle (comparable to a soft dip pen nib). It lays down a smooth and consistent XF/F line that widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.4mm) under very light pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE). Thin hairlines with a light hand, strong snap-back, and reliable flow over its full range of flex make it another great choice for calligraphic writing styles such as Copperplate and Spencerian. Condition: excellent [B]. Black hard rubber retains its factory black color apart from minor fading to a deep, dark brown on the barrel visible under certain lights. Surface is smooth and lustrous with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes aside from a group of short scratches to the left of the imprint (see imprints photo). Nib shows a small scuff here and there and a scratch on one tine that has no effect on durability or performance. Manufacturer imprint on barrel and number stamp on barrel-end are deep and fully legible. A lovely writer and the first example of one of these I’ve ever offered. Price: $270 SOLD
 
8. c.1915 Parker 16 Overlay (gold-filled over BHR, button filler, 14k XF Wet Noodle nib). Measures 4 5/8" capped and 6” posted. While Waterman overlays of this period aren't particularly common, they're far more numerous than their Parker counterparts today. Parker overlays like this one were commissioned to the George W. Heath company in New York, who is credited for some of the finer overlays on early Watermans and Conklins as well. The gold-filled filigree over this black hard rubber ringtop features an exquisitely hand-engraved Art Nouveau pattern as well as an indicia on the barrel for engraving. The pattern is the earlier, more intricate design that's more sought after than the simpler Art Deco pattern of the later 1910s-20s. Barrel overlay is stamped "Parker Fountain Pen" along with patent dates from 1891 and 1905. Pen has an Xmas tree, Lucky Curve feed and knurled blindcap unscrews to reveal brass button for filling. To fill, one simply unscrews the blind cap, submerses the nib, and depresses the brass button once. The fine workmanship of this pen is complemented by an early 14k Lucky Curve #3 nib, a scarce “Lazy S” variant with long tines. The nib is a Wet Noodle with softness, variation, and flow comparable to that of a dip pen nib. It lays down a smooth and consistent XF line that widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.5mm) under minimal pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE). Another nib with astonishingly responsive snap-back giving it a precision feel and you maximum control over the line. Together with its thin hairlines and reliable flow over its full range of flex, this makes for an ideal choice for calligraphic writing styles. Condition: excellent+ [B+]. Overlay shows no brassing, dents, or other notable flaws aside from some pin-sized dings confined to the knurled portion around the top of the cap. Hard rubber retains its dark black color with scarcely any fading. Knurling of blind cap isn’t quite as sharp as it once was and number stamp on barrel-end is faint but legible under bright light. Manufacturer imprint on barrel is deep and fully legible. Price: $380 SOLD
 
 
 
Shipping: Pens purchased on the weekend are mailed on Tuesday. Otherwise they are mailed within 2 business days of payment. All pens that do not come with their original boxes are packaged in PVC or thick plastic tubes to protect them in transit. To CONUS locations the following shipping options are available:

• USPS First-Class with tracking for $5 Due to the delivery delays that continue under postmaster general DeJoy, I strongly recommend that the Priority shipping option be chosen. All packages will include full insurance (covered by me). Rest assured that a full refund is guaranteed (issued through Paypal) in the event of a lost parcel and you will not have to wait until I receive a reimbursement from the USPS.
  
• USPS Priority with tracking for $9
  

International Customers: Please contact me for shipping quote if located abroad (delivery confirmation required). (Note: due to the issues stated above, my international shipping options are currently limited. PM for more info). Please do not ask me to commit mail fraud by altering the declared value of a pen for customs. Not only am I registered as a business but shipping insurance is based on declared value.
New York Customers: For tax purposes, I am now required to add an 8% sales tax on any sale made in the state of NY. If your shipping address is in NY state, please let me know before payment to receive an adjusted total. Discounted shipping is included for NY State residents to help defray the extra cost.
Ordering: Pens are placed on hold for the first person to reply to the thread and PM me with firm request to purchase (no chat DMs please). A request with the words “I'd like to purchase [pen number]” would be best to avoid confusion), to which I’ll reply with payment details. Please note that a message inquiring into a price discount does not suffice to place a pen on hold. If I haven't received Paypal payment within 24 hrs after a hold is placed, then pen(s) may become available to the next person.
Payment, & Guarantee: Payment by Paypal only. All pens are guaranteed to be in the condition in which I've described them. If I've missed something objectionable or the filling mechanism is not fully functional, the buyer may contact me up to 7 days after receiving the pen for a full refund (issued once I receive the pen back in the same condition as sold). Buyer must ship the return no later than 2 weeks after it was delivered to receive a refund. I've sold pens online for over a decade. Please check my past listings here as well as on the classifieds and historical sales forums on FPN (username: Estragon) and FPGeeks (popcod) for some of my previous offerings.
 
 
OTHER OPEN LISTINGS

• Vintage Montegrappa Extra Edacoto
  
• Waterman Nurse’s Sets
  
• Off-Catalogue Sheaffer Stubby Balance Lifetime
  
• Psychedelic Bayard Excselsior
  
• Waterman Taperite Citation
  
• Conklin Enduras, Nozac
  

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DJMarz - I Need You (Nuta Cookier Remix) / Key F#m, BPM 132, 7:21, MP3 17.91 Mb
DJMarz - I Need You (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 130, 6:31, MP3 15.91 Mb
DMank - Step On (Extended Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 128, 2:51, MP3 7.15 Mb
DNKA - Party Freaks (Extended Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 124, 5:11, MP3 12.60 Mb
DNKA - Party Freaks (Radio Edit) / Key Cm, BPM 124, 2:57, MP3 7.25 Mb
DREAMRDREAMR - Escape Into (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 140, 4:49, MP3 11.80 Mb
DRITTO - GALACTICA (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 136, 3:55, MP3 9.64 Mb
DUH PROJECT - Do It Again (Extended Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 123, 5:16, MP3 12.76 Mb
DUH PROJECT - Do It Again (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 123, 4:17, MP3 10.40 Mb
DUPØUY - Austral (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 98, 6:28, MP3 15.90 Mb
DUPØUY - Kiruna (Centeno Remix) / Key F#m, BPM 144, 6:01, MP3 14.80 Mb
DUPØUY - Kiruna (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 145, 5:28, MP3 13.50 Mb
DYSLOYAL - Push It (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 127, 4:03, MP3 9.96 Mb
Domestic Technology - August Is Coming (Synth Hiacynt Remix) / Key Fm, BPM 95, 3:47, MP3 9.20 Mb
Don Jack - Campo de Girasoles (Extended Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 126, 5:22, MP3 13.29 Mb
Don Jack - Campo de Girasoles (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 126, 3:24, MP3 8.57 Mb
Don Tom Berlin - Nebula (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 133, 7:29, MP3 18.15 Mb
Donpairion - Take Me Higher (Extended Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 126, 5:20, MP3 12.96 Mb
Dotdat - Dub FM (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 142, 5:53, MP3 14.16 Mb
Downside - Blacksmith (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 140, 5:19, MP3 12.97 Mb
Downside - Deception (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 140, 4:59, MP3 12.18 Mb
Downside - The Watcher (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 140, 5:12, MP3 12.70 Mb
Downside - Trade Secrets (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 140, 5:31, MP3 13.46 Mb
Drayori - Drop The Beat (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 124, 3:16, MP3 8.27 Mb
Drucal - Crab (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 139, 5:52, MP3 14.36 Mb
Drumcomplex - Puppet (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 131, 6:58, MP3 17.08 Mb
Dtrdjjoxe - Sin Titulo (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 128, 5:31, MP3 13.44 Mb
Dumage - Hygge (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 78, 2:31, MP3 6.27 Mb
Durga Amata - Another Climax (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 100, 4:14, MP3 10.49 Mb
Dylan J, NotKeller - Exxxtasis (Original mix) / Key Fm, BPM 128, 5:34, MP3 13.70 Mb
Dyson Kellerman - Vamos! (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 125, 4:12, MP3 10.25 Mb
ENZO (BR) - Lights Up The Night (Club Mix) (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 125, 6:28, MP3 15.83 Mb
ENZO (BR) - Lights Up The Night (Radio Edit) (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 125, 3:27, MP3 8.57 Mb
Eazy Mezzo - Far From Home (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 120, 8:02, MP3 19.40 Mb
Eervwall - Do It Like Me (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 128, 5:47, MP3 13.96 Mb
Eervwall - Take It High (Original Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 128, 5:18, MP3 12.80 Mb
Einka - Bb 7200 (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 126, 8:15, MP3 19.94 Mb
Einka - La locomotive rugissante (Original Mix) / Key Db, BPM 122, 8:00, MP3 19.33 Mb
Einka - Les rails d'hier (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 122, 3:33, MP3 8.66 Mb
Einka - Trains (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 130, 8:16, MP3 19.94 Mb
Einox - Pulse Canvas (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 100, 8:15, MP3 19.93 Mb
El Muerto - Alhambra (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 120, 5:11, MP3 12.80 Mb
El Muerto - Bahia De Placer (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 120, 5:36, MP3 13.79 Mb
Electric Pill - Echoes In The Dark (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 123, 5:28, MP3 13.29 Mb
Electric Pill - Total Chance (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 120, 6:09, MP3 14.94 Mb
ElectroVibZ - House Lover (Extended Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 126, 3:51, MP3 9.38 Mb
Elektronik Kitchen Of Ideas - Pacific Island (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 125, 5:27, MP3 13.11 Mb
Elias Garcia - Athens (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 123, 6:13, MP3 15.04 Mb
Elias Garcia - Following the Signs (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 138, 6:21, MP3 15.37 Mb
Elias Garcia - Heliophysics (Original Mix) / Key G, BPM 136, 2:41, MP3 6.56 Mb
Elias Garcia - Invent (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 100, 1:45, MP3 4.31 Mb
Elias Garcia - Linear Conjunction (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 106, 5:47, MP3 13.99 Mb
Elias Garcia - Multiverse (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 138, 4:28, MP3 10.84 Mb
Elias Garcia - Ovoid (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 136, 6:14, MP3 15.10 Mb
Elias Garcia - Parasite (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 136, 6:35, MP3 15.94 Mb
Elias Garcia - The Chastening (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 139, 5:53, MP3 14.26 Mb
Elias Garcia - Time Paralysis (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 133, 5:45, MP3 13.92 Mb
Elias Garcia - Triple View (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 136, 6:35, MP3 15.94 Mb
Elias R - Eagles (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 128, 6:01, MP3 14.68 Mb
Elias R - Loma De La Cruz (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 128, 6:04, MP3 14.80 Mb
Elias R - Webcam (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 128, 6:31, MP3 15.88 Mb
Elvis Castellano - Boom Boom (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 126, 5:51, MP3 14.27 Mb
Emre K. - Escape (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 121, 5:15, MP3 12.81 Mb
Engelbert - Lynx (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 124, 5:59, MP3 14.46 Mb
EntryStars - I Remember (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 128, 3:23, MP3 8.34 Mb
Eone, M.A - i thought we were meant for eachother (Original Mix) / Key F, BPM 140, 2:10, MP3 5.68 Mb
Equalateral, George Croucher - Never Really Gone (Equalateral Extended Dub) / Key Am, BPM 126, 6:07, MP3 14.81 Mb
Equalateral, George Croucher - Never Really Gone (Equalateral Extended Mix) / Key Am, BPM 126, 6:07, MP3 14.81 Mb
Erik Bonaldy - Trumpet (Original Mix) / Key Bb, BPM 128, 4:46, MP3 11.98 Mb
Exxon - Dehumanization (Intro) (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 145, 3:38, MP3 9.12 Mb
Exxon - Desolate Overview (Original Mix) / Key F#, BPM 106, 5:30, MP3 13.63 Mb
Exxon - Future Society (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 133, 5:06, MP3 12.65 Mb
Exxon - Human Alienation (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 134, 5:24, MP3 13.38 Mb
Exxon - Serious Distopy (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 134, 4:57, MP3 12.28 Mb
Exxon - The Last Breath (Outro) (Original Mix) / Key F, BPM 132, 3:08, MP3 7.92 Mb
Exxon - The Perfect Dictatorship (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 134, 5:10, MP3 12.83 Mb
Exxon - Unestable Existence (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 106, 5:18, MP3 13.16 Mb
Eònan - The Force Is Strong (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 140, 5:43, MP3 14.10 Mb
F-Lima - Your Call (Original Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 125, 5:07, MP3 12.85 Mb
FAVRO - Xerese (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 95, 3:10, MP3 7.68 Mb
FAVRO - Your Heart (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 154, 2:49, MP3 6.85 Mb
FCKV - Thursday Night (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 124, 6:10, MP3 15.04 Mb
FLO - Ay Papi (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 130, 2:54, MP3 7.12 Mb
FNXTA - Do It (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 127, 3:39, MP3 9.04 Mb
FNXTA - Je T'aime (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 126, 3:11, MP3 7.89 Mb
FOSSUS, Ludwig Nylow, Tahiti Snow - Takatam Digitam (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 126, 3:35, MP3 8.98 Mb
Fabio Spzz - Rave / Lution (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 123, 7:02, MP3 16.96 Mb
Facu Baez, Braydon Terzo - 50 INCH WOOFAS (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 128, 2:56, MP3 7.32 Mb
Facu-SB - Chronology (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 125, 5:07, MP3 12.65 Mb
FaraoN, RoundTrip.Music - Angel (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 115, 4:46, MP3 11.66 Mb
Fear-E - 7.4 On The Richter (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 130, 4:56, MP3 12.06 Mb
Fear-E - Principles (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 130, 4:27, MP3 10.89 Mb
Felicie - Late Checkout (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 146, 5:18, MP3 12.98 Mb
Felipe G - Evolution (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 133, 6:01, MP3 14.55 Mb
Felipe Gordon - Do You Ever Miss Me? (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 123, 5:47, MP3 14.09 Mb
Felipe Gordon - Sander's Journey (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 119, 5:59, MP3 14.55 Mb
Felipe Nova - Alive (Extended) / Key Ebm, BPM 143, 3:50, MP3 9.80 Mb
Ferhat Albayrak - Guest List (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 93, 5:29, MP3 13.64 Mb
Ferhat Albayrak - Promo Code (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 140, 5:29, MP3 13.64 Mb
Feri, Atakan Girisgen - Dancing O.a. (Original Mix) / Key Eb, BPM 124, 6:41, MP3 16.29 Mb
Fernando Chia - Ven,ven,ven (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 133, 6:44, MP3 16.58 Mb
Fernando De Matos, ALVES (PT) - My Mind (Original Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 134, 5:58, MP3 14.60 Mb
Ferra Black - Titan (Moreno & Prieto Remix) / Key Em, BPM 128, 6:15, MP3 15.31 Mb
Ferra Black - Titan (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 128, 5:30, MP3 13.51 Mb
Filippo Peschi, AnDe Trois - Kobra (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 138, 5:13, MP3 12.67 Mb
Filippo Peschi, AnDe Trois - Lost Unit (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 136, 5:42, MP3 13.84 Mb
First Contact - Echo (Club Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 123, 6:17, MP3 15.29 Mb
Fishfarm - Madness?Yes! (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 126, 5:42, MP3 13.84 Mb
Fishfarm - Summertime (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 127, 5:49, MP3 14.13 Mb
Flo.Von, Max Metzinger - Thinking Bout You (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 127, 4:40, MP3 11.47 Mb
Fontana - Lothargic Nights (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 128, 5:01, MP3 12.24 Mb
Fontana - Take Me Out (Original Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 128, 3:54, MP3 9.56 Mb
Four Walls - Metamorphosis (Original Mix) / Key A, BPM 128, 6:22, MP3 15.56 Mb
Four Walls - Mind Charger (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 129, 7:09, MP3 17.44 Mb
Four Walls - Mind Charger (Pletnev Remix) / Key Cm, BPM 135, 6:42, MP3 16.34 Mb
Four Walls - Summer Nights (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 134, 6:39, MP3 16.25 Mb
Fourth Co., Chester Fields - Back to You (Fourth Co. Remix) / Key Em, BPM 128, 3:04, MP3 7.56 Mb
Frakfunk - Rubber Nightmares (Extended) / Key Dbm, BPM 126, 6:47, MP3 16.49 Mb
Frakfunk - Rubber Nightmares (Original Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 126, 4:10, MP3 10.23 Mb
Fran Lezaun - Deutsche Sprache (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 145, 5:38, MP3 13.64 Mb
HIWK - Lights (Extended Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 150, 4:10, MP3 10.37 Mb
HIWK - Lights (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 150, 3:20, MP3 8.39 Mb
HRT3 - Tribal Tuk (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 140, 3:44, MP3 9.36 Mb
Halo - Hard Theater (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 138, 4:10, MP3 10.27 Mb
Halo Far - Closer (Extended Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 123, 4:59, MP3 12.18 Mb
Halv Drøm, Abnormal Load - Bucket featuring HALV DRØM (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 142, 5:41, MP3 14.05 Mb
Halv Drøm, Abnormal Load - One Eye featuring HALV DRØM (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 146, 5:55, MP3 14.60 Mb
Handt - Remedy (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 126, 2:33, MP3 6.32 Mb
Hannes Matthiessen - Cargo (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 138, 7:50, MP3 19.18 Mb
Hannes Matthiessen - Synthetic (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 140, 6:02, MP3 14.86 Mb
Harley Blake - Admire Carboys Guitarists (Extended Mix) / Key G, BPM 127, 3:49, MP3 9.31 Mb
Harry Judda - Envious Eyes (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 130, 5:26, MP3 13.25 Mb
Harry Judda - Fury 161 (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 128, 4:49, MP3 11.76 Mb
Hassio (COL) - LLORONA (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 131, 7:08, MP3 17.40 Mb
Hector Rios Vnzl - DON'T STOP (Original Mix) / Key B, BPM 128, 4:38, MP3 11.20 Mb
Helang - Black Angel (Extended Mix) / Key Em, BPM 125, 6:20, MP3 15.34 Mb
Helang - No One (Extended Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 128, 5:36, MP3 13.56 Mb
Helang - Wise Devil (Extended Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 126, 5:39, MP3 13.70 Mb
Helleroid - breakwalk (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 126, 4:23, MP3 11.10 Mb
Helleroid - drumwars (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 100, 6:07, MP3 15.27 Mb
Helleroid - freedoomed (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 106, 1:59, MP3 5.33 Mb
Helleroid - intimate idm (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 98, 5:44, MP3 14.34 Mb
Helleroid, diana r - coldbrew (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 81, 6:01, MP3 15.02 Mb
Hellotrip - Unbreakable (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 130, 6:24, MP3 15.62 Mb
Hermetics - El Cordón Dorado (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 82, 7:51, MP3 19.00 Mb
Herton - Aphrodite (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 145, 6:29, MP3 15.83 Mb
Herton - Mood Operator (Original Mix) / Key Ab, BPM 144, 4:55, MP3 12.05 Mb
HiWstre - Ocean of Love (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 125, 4:37, MP3 11.36 Mb
HiWstre - Renewal (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 124, 8:31, MP3 20.74 Mb
HiWstre - Tower of Babel (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 125, 4:03, MP3 10.02 Mb
High & Dry - The Generation (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 125, 6:32, MP3 15.80 Mb
Highcontrol - Leave Everything Behind (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 134, 6:09, MP3 15.13 Mb
Hioll - Iñikaru (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 144, 5:10, MP3 12.58 Mb
Hollen - Convert (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 135, 5:48, MP3 14.07 Mb
Hollen - Timeless (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 136, 5:53, MP3 14.25 Mb
Homaag - Glued (Extended Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 124, 6:20, MP3 15.22 Mb
Homaag - Glued (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 124, 4:44, MP3 11.39 Mb
Hossan - House Healed Me (Extended Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 130, 5:01, MP3 12.38 Mb
Hossan - House Healed Me (Radio Edit) / Key Bbm, BPM 130, 3:30, MP3 8.76 Mb
Hot Disk, Xwortex - Fresh & Cool (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 120, 5:52, MP3 14.28 Mb
Humito - Monkey Puzzle (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 90, 8:02, MP3 19.44 Mb
Hunterwolf, MAVS - Parallel Horizons (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 123, 3:13, MP3 7.94 Mb
I.g.n.a., Rush Arp - Diamond (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 129, 5:51, MP3 14.36 Mb
Ian Climax - Feeling Greatful (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 115, 6:53, MP3 16.68 Mb
Ian Thaüer - Lost In The Music (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 126, 4:33, MP3 11.20 Mb
Icarix - Just A Beat (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 126, 4:30, MP3 11.40 Mb
Icarix - Just A Beat (Radio Edit) / Key Ebm, BPM 126, 3:56, MP3 10.06 Mb
Icaro Mana - Way U Love (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 123, 6:20, MP3 15.39 Mb
Infinity Plus One, JaronX - Context is Broken (Original Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 125, 6:18, MP3 15.21 Mb
Interesnye Oschuscheniya - Prosnutsia (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 120, 4:40, MP3 11.50 Mb
Interesnye Oschuscheniya - Sgoraya (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 120, 5:28, MP3 13.41 Mb
Interesnye Oschuscheniya - Skuchayu Po Tebe (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 120, 5:43, MP3 14.01 Mb
Interesnye Oschuscheniya - Ya Pyana (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 120, 4:44, MP3 11.65 Mb
Introtom - Gurm I (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 137, 8:33, MP3 20.68 Mb
Introtom - Raw Roll (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 134, 6:12, MP3 15.06 Mb
Iron perez - Analog Saturation (Remastered) / Key Em, BPM 100, 4:53, MP3 11.80 Mb
Iron perez - Apollo (Remastered) / Key Am, BPM 127, 6:44, MP3 16.27 Mb
Iron perez - Cóatl (Remastered) / Key A, BPM 128, 6:30, MP3 15.70 Mb
Italo Perez - Hey Dale (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 128, 5:01, MP3 12.13 Mb
Iva Dive, Arxip - Barna Fam (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 129, 5:37, MP3 13.90 Mb
Iva Dive, Arxip - My Name Is Waki (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 130, 5:00, MP3 12.42 Mb
Ivan Gennari - Eat The Beat (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 127, 5:40, MP3 13.68 Mb
Ivan Gennari - Pump It (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 127, 5:25, MP3 13.08 Mb
Ivan Soria - Sincrónico (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 136, 4:48, MP3 11.78 Mb
Ivanovich, Bruno Bona - Goodbye (Club Edit) / Key Am, BPM 126, 4:51, MP3 11.82 Mb
Ivanovich, Bruno Bona - Goodbye (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 125, 3:20, MP3 8.19 Mb
J-Lektro - Waveflow (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 125, 2:26, MP3 6.25 Mb
JAMM2 - Devil (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 150, 4:45, MP3 11.84 Mb
JESPAT - Free Your Mind (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 132, 6:33, MP3 16.03 Mb
JJ Mullor, Collab Bro - Punto A (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 136, 7:41, MP3 18.81 Mb
JJ Mullor, Collab Bro - Sarabambiche (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 136, 7:27, MP3 18.25 Mb
JOTA (ES) - Extasis (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 128, 5:02, MP3 12.15 Mb
JOTA (ES) - Extasis (Radio Edit) / Key Fm, BPM 128, 4:00, MP3 9.68 Mb
JOTA (ES) - Yaaah (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 128, 4:30, MP3 10.88 Mb
JOTA (ES) - Yaaah (Radio Edit) / Key Am, BPM 128, 3:30, MP3 8.48 Mb
Jabes uc - Wish I Didn't Miss You (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 128, 5:00, MP3 12.37 Mb
Jabes uc, Dean Shaw (UK) - Above Clouds (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 128, 6:02, MP3 14.84 Mb
Jabes uc, Percy Hoef - Frequency (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 128, 6:45, MP3 16.57 Mb
Jack De Marseille - Kalymba (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 135, 6:16, MP3 15.25 Mb
Jack De Marseille - Prima (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 71, 8:19, MP3 20.17 Mb
Jack De Marseille - Techno Bass (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 132, 4:19, MP3 10.56 Mb
Jack District - Got It (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 125, 6:13, MP3 15.38 Mb
Jack District - Sailing (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 125, 6:55, MP3 17.08 Mb
JackBastoww - Would You Get It (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 133, 4:58, MP3 12.03 Mb
Jackson Swaby, Omeria - We All Wanted (Extended Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 121, 5:09, MP3 12.62 Mb
Jackson Swaby, Omeria - We All Wanted (Original Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 121, 3:32, MP3 8.71 Mb
Jahn Solo - Awayaska (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 128, 4:38, MP3 11.53 Mb
Jahn Solo - Traumhaft (Original Mix) / Key A, BPM 112, 4:45, MP3 11.83 Mb
Jakhira - Rendezvous With Rama (Original Mix) / Key Eb, BPM 122, 8:26, MP3 20.46 Mb
Jakhira - The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 122, 7:23, MP3 17.94 Mb
JamBeats - Crying (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 100, 2:56, MP3 7.39 Mb
James Grover, self, actually - I Don't Remember (Extended Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 122, 3:42, MP3 8.97 Mb
James Grover, self, actually - I Don't Remember (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 122, 2:33, MP3 6.24 Mb
Jamie S. - All Winner & No Spinner (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 125, 8:10, MP3 19.81 Mb
Jamie S. - Double Standards (Original Mix) / Key E, BPM 125, 7:22, MP3 17.89 Mb
Jarryd Jackson - Navy Blue (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 114, 8:27, MP3 20.79 Mb
Jarryd Jackson - Perspective (Original Mix) / Key G, BPM 116, 8:39, MP3 21.27 Mb
Jason Azzardo - Circle Life (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 126, 3:03, MP3 7.55 Mb
Jason Azzardo - Circus (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 118, 3:15, MP3 8.05 Mb
Jason Azzardo - Magic Wind (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 126, 3:03, MP3 7.55 Mb
Jason Azzardo - Pollution (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 126, 3:03, MP3 7.55 Mb
Jason Azzardo - Pragmatic (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 126, 2:48, MP3 6.94 Mb
Jason Azzardo - Santa Fe (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 126, 3:03, MP3 7.55 Mb
Jason Azzardo - Solution (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 126, 3:33, MP3 8.77 Mb
Jason Fernandes - sharks above (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 128, 3:23, MP3 8.14 Mb
Jason Rivas, Me & My Videotapes - I Wanna Be Your Driver (Extended Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 117, 5:49, MP3 14.21 Mb
Jason Rivas, WOW!30K - Circles Of Love (Extended Club Mix) / Key Em, BPM 122, 4:47, MP3 11.73 Mb
Javi Borda - New Lolo (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 127, 5:25, MP3 13.21 Mb
Javier Anxiety - Monday Again (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 127, 5:02, MP3 12.28 Mb
JayLu - Move (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 128, 5:01, MP3 12.36 Mb
JayLu - People (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 129, 4:43, MP3 11.63 Mb
Jayfunk - Dark (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 108, 7:07, MP3 17.15 Mb
Jean Velit - Laguna Progressive (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 126, 7:18, MP3 17.71 Mb
Jean Velit - Prahistorisches Universum (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 125, 9:05, MP3 22.00 Mb
Jeky Saviro - Dance Floor (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 128, 6:18, MP3 15.37 Mb
Jen, Ken Fan, George Solar - Moonbeams (feat. Ken Fan, JEN) (Original Mix) / Key Eb, BPM 120, 5:01, MP3 12.24 Mb
Jendo (IT) - On My Skin (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 127, 6:22, MP3 15.56 Mb
Jens Aelbrecht - Ancient (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 136, 6:41, MP3 16.62 Mb
Jens Aelbrecht - Time Does Not Exist (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 138, 6:28, MP3 16.11 Mb
Jerome Hill - Stealth Imp (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 128, 5:16, MP3 12.88 Mb
Jerome Hill - The Shoffler (Original Mix) / Key Ebm, BPM 130, 6:10, MP3 15.01 Mb
Jerry Spoon, Fer Soberón - Fuego y Mariposas (Jerry Spoon Remix) / Key Dm, BPM 113, 4:38, MP3 11.28 Mb
Jizz - Sweet Spot (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 130, 6:26, MP3 15.52 Mb
Jo Paciello - Just open your mind (Deep Jazz Mix) / Key Em, BPM 123, 7:33, MP3 18.25 Mb
Joachim Spieth - Shadows (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 124, 8:13, MP3 19.84 Mb
Joachim Spieth, Cauê - Alpha (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 124, 7:17, MP3 17.59 Mb
Joe Silva, Mariana Canadas - Lucky Days (Joe Silva's Intrumental) / Key Bbm, BPM 126, 4:57, MP3 12.15 Mb
Joe Silva, Mariana Canadas - Lucky Days (Joe Silva's Mix) / Key Eb, BPM 126, 6:39, MP3 16.20 Mb
John Barera - Dance Again (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 131, 6:22, MP3 15.64 Mb
John Barera - Inhale (Aftermath) (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 132, 6:18, MP3 15.50 Mb
John Barera, Mark Hurst - I Can See Through You (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 113, 6:06, MP3 15.02 Mb
John F - Around Me (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 124, 6:04, MP3 14.66 Mb
John F - Vox Drums (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 124, 5:48, MP3 14.04 Mb
John Styler - Dreamscape Odysse (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 125, 7:11, MP3 17.58 Mb
John Styler - Echoes in the Night (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 125, 7:18, MP3 17.85 Mb
John Tejada, Plaid - Bittersweet (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 128, 4:33, MP3 11.08 Mb
John Tejada, Plaid - Freeways (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 127, 3:41, MP3 9.03 Mb
Jona Jefferies - Lost In Paradise (Eddie C Remix) / Key Bbm, BPM 120, 8:28, MP3 20.64 Mb
Jona Jefferies - Lost In Paradise (Original Mix) / Key A, BPM 120, 6:59, MP3 17.06 Mb
Jonno & Gibson - Stella (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 128, 7:04, MP3 17.22 Mb
Jonno & Gibson - Swans (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 130, 7:16, MP3 17.68 Mb
Jonyx, Nexus Live - 001 (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 128, 5:45, MP3 13.98 Mb
Jonyx, Nexus Live - 002 (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 130, 6:00, MP3 14.58 Mb
Jordan Dae - Lights Out (Club Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 126, 3:42, MP3 9.02 Mb
Jose Amor, Xavi Sierra - Getting Horny (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 126, 4:34, MP3 11.14 Mb
Jose Zaragoza - It's a Feeling (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 123, 6:03, MP3 14.63 Mb
Jose Zaragoza - My Anthem (Original Mix) / Key Bm, BPM 127, 6:33, MP3 15.84 Mb
Juan Ddd - Gumball (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 128, 5:53, MP3 14.40 Mb
Jule, Aumon - In My Head (Original Mix) / Key B, BPM 124, 2:39, MP3 6.80 Mb
Jules Wells - Dreamer (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 130, 7:48, MP3 18.96 Mb
Julian - Chasing Senses (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 124, 2:23, MP3 6.11 Mb
Julieta Kopp - Another Day In The Prison (Original Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 139, 5:34, MP3 13.50 Mb
Julieta Kopp - Closer To Being Burned (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 139, 6:01, MP3 14.60 Mb
Julieta Kopp - The Things You Can't Touch (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 140, 5:46, MP3 13.98 Mb
Jumphertz - Rising (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 132, 3:42, MP3 9.14 Mb
Juntaro, Space Castorz - Taka (Original Mix) / Key Am, BPM 124, 6:14, MP3 15.24 Mb
Jvckpot - Move Your Body (Extended Mix) / Key Dm, BPM 126, 4:51, MP3 12.15 Mb
JØHRN - Angy's Worlds (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 136, 5:43, MP3 14.01 Mb
JØHRN - Chronicles of a Stranger (Original Mix) / Key Fm, BPM 136, 6:07, MP3 14.97 Mb
JØHRN - Descriptive Tongues (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 108, 6:22, MP3 15.56 Mb
JØHRN - Edges of the Universe (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 135, 6:13, MP3 15.22 Mb
JØHRN - Reflections of Thought (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 136, 6:08, MP3 14.99 Mb
JØHRN - Scream in the Shadow (Original Mix) / Key Em, BPM 108, 6:35, MP3 16.10 Mb
K-Lone - Give It Up (Original Mix) / Key Cm, BPM 126, 6:37, MP3 16.12 Mb
K-Lone - Wait 4 U (Original Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 128, 5:30, MP3 13.45 Mb
KAAP - Disco Drama Boy (Original) / Key Em, BPM 121, 9:08, MP3 21.95 Mb
KAAP - I'm Standing Right Next To You (Original) / Key Em, BPM 124, 7:00, MP3 16.83 Mb
KAAP - Jock (Original) / Key Bm, BPM 127, 6:47, MP3 16.31 Mb
KAAP - Razor (Original) / Key Bbm, BPM 132, 5:52, MP3 14.12 Mb
KAAP - Technogym (Original) / Key Ab, BPM 138, 8:14, MP3 19.80 Mb
KAAP - Transfix (Original) / Key Dm, BPM 120, 8:09, MP3 19.61 Mb
Ka Reem, Leav3l8ke - Hey Sexy Lady (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 130, 2:19, MP3 5.78 Mb
Kabay - All in (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 144, 5:09, MP3 12.47 Mb
Kabay - Amnesia ([rework]) / Key F#m, BPM 142, 5:25, MP3 13.09 Mb
Kabay - Breakdown Ritual (Original Mix) / Key Gm, BPM 145, 4:55, MP3 11.89 Mb
Kabay - Dukkha (Original Mix) / Key Bbm, BPM 144, 5:23, MP3 13.04 Mb
Kabay - Melting Sensation (Original Mix) / Key Dbm, BPM 143, 4:35, MP3 11.12 Mb
Kabay - Tribe of Liberation (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 144, 5:13, MP3 12.64 Mb
Kadosh - The Time Is Now (Original Mix) / Key F#m, BPM 128, 5:30, MP3 13.53 Mb
d_func. - Unified Fields, Pt. 1 (Original Mix) / Key Abm, BPM 125, 6:54, MP3 16.68 Mb
​
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I know this is very much a long shot, but I dropped a bookmark that means a lot to me today in town, so I get you won't want to read on, but...it means a lot to me, so if you happen to still be wandering 'round or simply agree that sentimentally valued items far outweigh monetarily valued ones, well, here's a bit more about a beloved tree slice:

• Description / written on brown paper are two handwritten notes, one on each side (from my partner, in support of two big moments for me and my passion which is, shockingly, fiction), and I've crudely laminated it with tape.
• Here's where I was / the Garnet outside (where last I saw it), Bicycle Shop outside mostly but inside a few times, the ladies loo at Millenium Library, back on my bike (parked by Theatre St.) to cross Chapelfield Gardens, and head home. I've searched more locally but haven't been back to town.

Thanks for helping out with this silly but important quest!

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The Grand Dining Hall. Local time: 1210
Emma
The dining hall was, for all intents and purposes, the den of gossip.
[Grand Dining Hall. Add: Alternative Designator - DEN OF GOSSIP]
This was proven true by the incessant and rampant whispers, most of which were eventually hidden under privacy screens.But some of which were allowed to permeate through the air like a foul and sickening stench.
“What’s he trying to prove?”
“Usurpers. Tepid-blood minor nobles thinking themselves bigshots in their ill-gotten castles. This is all they know — power through brute strength.”
“Do you think this could be some sort of a roundabout statement for the House Choosing Ceremony?”
“Could be, or maybe the newrealmer is rubbing off on him. I heard those savages live in hunting-packs that deal exclusively in violence.”
“Poor Lord Ping… the man’s been dealt so many blows both to his ego and integrity. He truly is the victim in this upstart’s rebellion.”
“Let us hope the pious Ping prevails over his undeserving trials and tribulations. The man’s a saint, a pious soul that must hold fast for those of us adherent to the eternal truths.”
“Or perhaps we should wait and see how things develop. I, for one, wish to side neither with the narrow-minded bull nor the aggressive upstarts.”
“Lord Qiv may prove to be the more suitable candidate for class sovereign… but only time will tell.”
“Never in my wildest of imaginations would I have ever considered that the one to threaten our position, our place, our image, and our very survival in this sky of feral drakes to be you — Prince Thalmin.” Ilunor managed out incredulously, breaking me out of my long-range acoustic reverie. Though unlike his prior confrontations with myself, his current voice lacked the same intense vitriol. Instead, that was replaced with what I could only describe as a genuine sense of disappointment, as if confronting a friend who knew better than to commit to a dumb decision.
“That’s an understandable statement to make, Ilunor.” Thalmin replied uncharacteristically calmly, as if he hadn’t even registered the Vunerian’s assaults. Or at least, that seemed to be the case, until he shot the deluxe Kobold a predatory side-eye. “Because creatures that lack honor, integrity, and personal dignity, often conflate sacrifices and risk-taking, for foolishness and idiocy. For within the heart of a Nexian, lies only compromise for the sake of convenience. Whether that be the convenience of survival, the convenience of continuity, or the convenience of the status quo, you will sacrifice everything to maintain it — even if it means allowing your honor to remain sullied and trodden when there exists a pool to cleanse away that shame.”
Thacea’s eyes grew wary with concern at that statement, one of the few instances I’d seen her genuinely worried about an Ilunor-Thalmin interaction. In fact, even I didn’t dare to interrupt, especially after both parties had shot death-glares towards our elven waiter as he arrived with the lunch platter.
“Restraint, Prince Thalmin.” Ilunor responded with a deep and calculating breath. “This isn’t the adjacent realms, this isn’t Havenbrockrealm.”
“Oh that much is very clear to me, Ilunor.” Thalmin interjected with something just short of a growl. “In Havenbrockrealm, we would sooner slash, stab, flay, or lash our enemies in fair and open combat, than reduce ourselves to cowardly attempts at assassination or retreat with our tails between our legs at the earliest signs of defeat.”
Ilunor took another breath, placing a small hand atop of his snout. “I… empathize with your desires to follow through with what you believe is a morally sound decision.” The Vunerian responded in a surprising display of maturity. “However, and this goes for you as well, newrealmer—” He paused for a moment, taking the time to glare at me before shifting back to Thalmin. “—we are not acting as independent actors anymore. For better or for worse… which, mind you, I still strongly believe this is very much for the worse in my case… we are now a peer group. And as such, the actions we take and their resultant fallout, should represent the interests of us all.”
“These are bold claims.” Thalmin began with a restrained snarl. “Even bolder when considering your actions the week prior. If the measure of a man were dictated by his words alone, then I would be inclined to acquiesce. However, considering the measure of a man extends beyond the weightless chatter of an exhaled breath, I feel far more inclined to reserve such actions for those far more deserving of my respect.” At which point, the lupinor turned towards both Thacea and I, following that up with a dip of his head. “I apologize, Thacea, Emma, for conducting myself in the way I did.”
Thalmin took a moment to pause, side eyeing Ilunor as he acknowledged him once again. “Whilst his character may sully his words, there is some truth to them. I have, admittedly, overstepped my bounds in committing to an action which undeniably affects the group. However, I genuinely hope you understand the reasons behind my otherwise brash decision. For I must stand on principle, lest I decide to stand at all.”
“Given the crap Auris Ping pulled last night, I’m inclined to agree with you, Thalmin. More than that, I would’ve gladly taken your place and dueled him the good old fashioned way if I could. Besides, the look on his face when you chose him to be your dueling partner? It was just priceless.” I offered with a snide grin. “In all seriousness, I’m really not in a position to chastise anyone on the issue of just gunning it with your gut instinct anyways. Heck, the entirety of last week was one long drawn out escapade for my sake, which came at the expense of the group after all.” I chuckled nervously. “So… yeah, this is incredibly tame by those standards, Thalmin.”
“Whilst… unexpected, and indeed a risk, I can understand the reasons behind it, Thalmin.” Thacea nodded uneasily. “However, I do not advise any of you to make a habit out of this.” She commanded, making an effort to make individual eye contact with each and every one of us.
Thacea’s group-mom vibes were definitely showing at this point, which was probably for the better. Given the group seemed to be a magnet for this sort of thing, it was good to have an anchor of sorts.
Sure thing, mom. Was what my gut instinct screamed at me to say.
But instead, I decided to tone it down a notch.
“As you command, princess.” I dipped my head in acknowledgement, garnering a look of abashed confusion from Thacea, and just plain-old confusion from the other two.
“In any case… I… believe you wished to discuss matters outside of classroom priorities, Emma?” Thacea quickly attempted to shift past that little bit of prodding, which I obliged with an affirmative nod.
“Yep. Well, it’s more of a small change of plans that I think is worth discussing with you guys. So, you remember how I was planning on deploying an infil-drone on Mal’tory after the end of class right?”
All three nodded, urging me to continue.
“Well, since Mal’tory was a no-show, and with Larial taking the reins instead… I think it’s best if we stick with the plan anyways, just swapping out Mal’tory for Larial. I honestly don’t see any other way we can continue the library’s questline, or any other way to find evidence to support the Auris Ping-Mal’tory hypothesis we have going on. I know it’s a huge gamble since there’s no way of knowing if she’ll even head to Mal’tory’s office after class. But honestly? This is our best shot right now.”
“I concur, Emma.” Thalmin announced with a nod.
“Given her proximity to the professor’s orbit, we may in fact gain a greater bearing on his actual state. Which in itself may prove useful.” Thacea offered, more or less acknowledging my change of plans implicitly.
“We don’t seem to have any other choice, earthrealmer. So a shot in the dark is better than stowing your wand.” Ilunor acknowledged in a rare display of solidarity.
“It’s settled then. I’ll deploy the drone right after class is dismissed. Then, we wait and see what the drone comes up with.”

The Grand Concourse of Learning. The Hall of Light. Local Time: 14:00 Hours.
Emma
Mana field perception was, as one would expect, dry, bland, and utterly nonsensical.
Throughout most of it, the lesson was taught as if it was referencing something obvious, something mundane, something so typical that a lot of the topics were all but overlooked as ‘self evident’.
A lot of what was taught reminded me of a mix between perception-theory, and situational awareness training. However, instead of relying on your eyes, ears, heck, even your nose or sense of touch… it was instead relying on something completely outside of the human experience.
“Mana field perception, is at its core, a subject that is inherent to the sapient condition. However, the extent to which it is appreciated, understood, and most important of all — applied — varies exponentially. To an untrained mind, and an untempered soul, the world feels tepid.”
The apprentice paused, gesturing to Sorecar, who answered his cue by pulling out a massive painting of a beautiful mountainscape that seemed to play through a closed animation loop; the effect was like a high-definition e-ink display.
“To a trained mind, but an untempered soul, the world feels… distant, unaccommodating, and frustrating to emotionally comprehend.” Larial continued, prompting Sorecar to pull out yet another painting. This one, the exact same as the first, with literally no differences between them.
“To an untrained mind, but a tempered soul, the world feels… unpredictable, erratic, and frustrating to logically put together.” Once again, another painting was brought out. This one, just like the previous two, looked completely identical.
“But to a sufficiently trained mind, and a tempered soul, with enough time invested into both theory and practice… the world becomes open, expansive, and above all else… it becomes rich with sights and sensations that would be impossible to feel with the physical form alone.” Larial concluded, just as Sorecar pulled out what looked to be yet another identical painting.
The EVI’s analysis concluded that there were absolutely no differences between the four paintings. Moreover, the mana radiation signatures for each were likewise exactly the same.
It was only after slipping a note towards Thacea with a question written in High Nexian did I finally get my answer.
‘What’s the deal with these paintings? They’re all identical.’
Thacea quickly slipped me a blank piece of parchment in response.
Though it didn’t remain blank for long, as words and sentences started appearing on it; mirroring Thacea’s furious ‘note taking’ in her own notebook.
‘They’re artisanal pieces imbued with the purposeful manipulation of the subject’s aura, mana-field, and the surrounding mana. They were brought out in order to demonstrate the different degrees of mana-field perception by exaggerating the most common shortcomings found in those training in the magical arts. The first piece was, similar to your memory shards, lacking in any mana-fields or auras. The second and third pieces demonstrated a failure to imbue one or the other of the two fundamental tenets of mana-field perception. The fourth piece is representative of a perfect balance of both tenets, and is an exquisite work of art that completely outshines the first. It radiates beauty, whilst the first is flat and lifeless.’
It took a moment for me to really register all that. Longer still, as I eventually became fixated on that last line in particular.
Flat and lifeless… is that what the world is like from my eyes?
It was around that time that a thought hit me, and a realization truly sank deep into my very being.
The world that Thacea, Thalmin, Ilunor, and the rest of the magical beings across the interdimensional plane experienced… was one that I was utterly blind to.
It’d been referenced before.
In fact, it’d been drilled into me time and time again by the likes of Ilunor that I was lacking in something fundamental.
But up until now, everything was either circumstantial, or outside of my general focus. So much so that I never was able to digest the implications of it.
However, as much as a pit formed in my stomach, growing tighter by the second as Larial went on and on about the ebbs and flows of mana, so too did a very human resolve suddenly dawn upon me.
“I’m going to see what you guys see one day.” I wrote down on Thacea’s magic paper.
“How?” Was the message I received back.
To which I only had one thing to reply with.
“The same way we overcame all of our other shortcomings.” I wrote cryptically, garnering a look of confusion from Thacea as she read the note, to which I only had to point at my armor for added effect.
By once again defying nature. I thought to myself.
If we weren’t born with the ability to ‘see’ this beauty, we’d find a way to break it down into its fundamental components, dissect it, analyze it, and then reinterpret it for ourselves.
The class continued on after that exchange of notes, as we touched upon what Ilunor had so eloquently described on that second day of the grace period:
One: that manastreams were everywhere around us.
Two: that manafields generated by living organisms were akin to rocks that not only parted those streams, but at times, interacted with them.
Three: that using manafields, one could make out the presence of other manafields through the manastreams, and thus detect and extract information as is pertinent to the context of the situation.
And while Ilunor would’ve blabbered on and on about the ability to see and sense the emotional state of others through the manastreams, what Larial seemed to be focused on instead were the practical applications of this natural ability. Namely, she focused on exactly how to detect a spell being cast, what sort of spell was being cast, and most importantly — she focused on how it all tied back to Light Magic.
“In summary, only when one is proficient in the detection and analysis of manafields, can one finally start to dissect the intricacies of a manafield during spellcasting. And only once one masters the detection of spellcasting, can one even hope to begin the process of dispelling. The first step of which is to know exactly what a manafield looks like during spellcasting. Is there anyone in the class that can tell me what that looks like?” The professor asked, looking around, before picking one of the many raised hands.
This one belonged to Qiv.
“Yes, Lord Qiv?”
“Influxes and effluxes, Professor. One will see the influx of ambient mana through the manastreams into a manafield, and the potential efflux of mana through a manafield back into the manastreams in the form of a controlled mana-construct.”
“Very good, Lord Qiv! Five points! Now, hold your thoughts on that latter part, because that ties into my next question!” Larial responded with a giddiness and chipperness that seemed to be lacking in every other class up to this point. “The fundamental means of detecting a spell being cast is by looking out for a point of influx, and a point of efflux. Influx being the more difficult of the pair to detect, for what you have to look out for is mana is being funneled into a manafield. A weak spell being cast, will incur less disruptions in a manastream. However, the opposite is also true. As the more powerful the spell, and the more powerful the mage, the greater the rate of influx, as the amount of mana needed to fulfill the requirements of the spell increases. Paradoxically this would mean it will be easier to detect a powerful spell before it is cast, as the reduction in the concentration of ambient mana will be more palpable as a result. Efflux however, is rather straightforward, and will be the primary vehicle through which Mana-field Perception will be taught. As it is through efflux that we can ascertain the most useful details of a spell, or as Lord Qiv so eloquently puts it — the mana-construct. Does anyone know what this next point may be referring to?”
Surprisingly, and out of a clear bias towards Qiv, Larial once more called him up.
I couldn’t blame her though.
The man, despite being a certified bully and teacher’s pet, was one of the few students who didn’t openly doubt the apprentice’s capabilities during the start of class.
“Yes, Lord Qiv?”
“The mana-construct refers to the skeleton of a spell; the arrangement and unique form it takes before manifesting into a proper spell.” The gorn-like lizard responded confidently.
“Outstanding, Lord Qiv! Five points! Now, whilst a mana-construct is indeed a vital step in the process of spell casting, its manifestation is rarely the point in time in which a spell can be intercepted — save for those who have mastered the art of Light Magic. As a result, a spell can be halted before it even has the chance to form. To most however, the mana-construct acts as a cue to prepare. It is a signal that demonstrates the irrefutable start to a spell. And as a result, it provides major structural clues as to the form of Light Magic that must be employed to combat it. Which leads me to my next point.”
The apprentice once more paused, as she manifested literally nothing visible to the tune of more than a dozen mana radiation warnings.
“When broken down to their basic components, every spell is a complicated meshwork of mana, channeled and contained within a dynamic pattern that continuously evolves throughout the duration of a spell. Because unlike artificing, the casting of magic evolves with unpredictability and thrives on organic change. No offense to you, of course, Professor Pliska.” The apprentice turned towards Sorecar worryingly, who simply responded with a bellowing laugh.
“None taken, my aspiring understudy!”
With that, Larial continued, her hands moving through an empty section of air that everyone seemed to be focused on; as if manipulating a hologram that I wasn’t privy to. “However, in spite of this unpredictability, the goal of Light Magic and Mana-field Perception in particular is to untangle the aforementioned meshwork of mana. For every spell is a puzzle and a series of knots to untangle. Your goal in this class, if I am to be reductive, is to untangle the complex mesh that comprises a spell, unraveling it to a point in which it can no longer maintain its form — collapsing it and thus, rendering it inert.” The apprentice emphasized this by miming what looked to be tiny little motions with her fingers, before pulling both hands backwards, garnering a series of affirmative nods from the crowd. “And with that, we now reach the conclusion of today’s class.”
“Or more accurately, the leadup to the climax of this class.” Sorecar quickly chimed in with a wave of his hand, prompting the room to change once more. Section upon section of the front of the classroom’s floor was dragged down into the impossible void, only to be replaced just as quickly by an elevated stage resembling that of a fencing strip. “Will the aspiring duelists please rise and approach the stage?” Sorecar turned back towards the crowd, prompting both Thalmin and Auris to stand, the pair giving each other some strong side-eyes before both marching up and towards the front of the class.
From there, with not a single word exchanged, they took their places, Thalmin at the far right, and Auris on the far left.
“The purpose of this demonstration is simple.” The apprentice began, as Sorecar began moving towards both Thalmin and Auris, insisting them to pay attention. “It is to show that even in spite of the complicated principles behind Light Magic, that there exists far simpler, far more basic principles that can achieve similar means. A precursor to more contemporary methods; spell-breaking. A maneuver that involves overpowering the structure and flow of a spell using a concentrated burst of pure mana irregardless of the type. However, unlike traditional dispelling seen in contemporary Light Magic, spell-breaking oftentimes requires a user to concentrate a disproportionately larger amount of mana in order to properly break a spell. It is thus highly inefficient, and as a result becomes rapidly impractical upon encountering spellcrafts of sufficiently advanced tiers. This demonstration will be aptly limited to a simple barrier-spell for the likes of the reciprocator, so as to not overburden the initiator with this simple task.”
The apprentice quickly passed on the torch to Sorecar, who quickly took center stage with a few steps.
“Now, as this is not a traditional duel for dominance, nor is it a sporting duel for the purposes of victory, I will explain the narrow context by which this duel will be held.” Sorecar continued, his hands clapping together, generating an empty and resonant CLANG in the process. “To our right, is our initiator, who will be demonstrating the principles of spell-breaking in an active capacity. To our left, is our reciprocator, who will be taking on the role of demonstrative spellcaster, casting only barrier spells for the duration of this short demonstration. Remember, there is to be no additional spells cast or demonstrated outside of these parameters. Is that clear?” Sorecar paused, making sure to meet both of the opponents’ gazes with his empty helm.
“Yes, professor!” Both parties shouted simultaneously, barely containing their frustrations beneath a veneer of calm and restrained fury.
“Then we shall begin on the count of three.” The apprentice continued, taking the reins over from Sorecar, as she stood just a few steps away from the stage’s combat-lines. “One.” She began, as Auris began moving into position, practically grinding his booted hooves into the stage, and taking on the posture of some unknown martial art. “Two.” Thalmin reciprocated by taking a more aggressive posture, as if positioning himself to leap towards the bull in a ravenous rage at the drop of a hat.
“Three.”
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 225% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 350% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
Nothing seemed to happen.
At least, not to my eyes.
Within a matter of seconds, all I witnessed were two mana radiation warnings timelogged as only a few seconds apart from one another.
No physical effects were evident to me. Nothing, except for the flinching of a few muscles, and the waving of arms. As if they were conjuring make-believe magic spells, without the added special effects that came with it.
Ironically, this was how I was expecting most Nexians to react to the reveal of laser weaponry. Silent, invisible, but otherwise omnipresent and deadly threats.
Though despite the lack of any physical effects I could discern, there were certainly more than enough context-clues to go by when it came to exactly what had just occurred.
Auris’ features had more or less swelled up into a fury. His nostrils flared just short of snorting out fumes, and his teeth were bared clearly holding back a few choice words for the now-grinning Thalmin.
“Again.” He demanded, and barely a second after a nod of approval from the apprentice, came two more mana radiation warnings.
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 300% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 425% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
Once again, no noticeable physical effects had manifested. Though judging from the bewildered and shocked expressions of the crowd, something was definitely happening within the invisible world that was accessible through mana-vision.
“Again!” Ping announced, barely garnering approval from the apprentice this time, as things took a sudden enough turn that even I could notice them.
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 400% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
It started with that ‘barrier’ again.
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 500% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
Followed by Thalmin overpowering it.
However, instead of letting things go, Ping instead pushed towards a frenzied series of attacks.
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 375% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
As one—
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 400% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
—after another—
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 400% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
—after another—
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 400% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
—after another ‘barrier’ spell seemed to actually be causing Thalmin some pushback now. His movements now resembled someone attempting to dodge invisible projectiles, yet Auris made no moves to actually fling anything at him, only maintaining his prior stance.
Though of course, this came with the same expected response.
As Thalmin retaliated with his own attacks. Or rather, one, very large attack that truly outclassed what Auris could currently muster in his furious state.
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 550% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
This spell that mildly shook the room seemed to be enough to ‘break’ the sudden incursion, prompting both Ping and Thalmin to turn towards the apprentice — the former blasting steam from his snout and the latter slashing his tail in the air — for yet another round of fighting, only to have Sorecar step in, placing a hand on both of the duelists who were barely a foot away from each other now.
“Wonderful! Excellent! Put your hands together for our introductory duelists, everyone!” The professor quickly coerced both of the parties to face the class, actively grabbing them by the small of their back, and thus effectively entrapping them with his iron grip — forcing them to face the class who cheered on with a series of applauses.
Not a second later, the pair of them bowed, though it was unclear how much of this was Sorecar’s doing, and how much of this was done out of their own will.
“In any case, seeing as both of our aspiring duelists have gone above and beyond in their demonstration, and seeing that this is merely a demonstration, and not a challenge—” Sorecar emphasized that last point, forcing the pair to sweat in his over-shoulder grip. “—I believe it would be prudent to award them each a fair share of this duel’s fifty points.”
“Given the enthusiasm shown, I am inclined to agree, Professor Pliska.” The apprentice quickly nodded, prompting the armorer to quickly push both of them off-stage, and back towards the staggered raised steps of the lecture hall.
“Twenty-five points for both of our duelist’s groups.” Larial reiterated, and with a final round of reluctant applause, barely overpowering the incoming band marking the end of class… the apprentice made her final statement. “This concludes this week’s first lesson. Considering the house choosing ceremony coming up this weekend, along with the Elaseer school supply shopping trip to town… I am inclined to grant this class some clemency. No homework will be required. So please, enjoy the rest of the day, and prepare yourselves for what could be the most decisive day in your academic career here in Transgracia. Class dismissed!”
No sooner were those words uttered did my eyes quickly turn towards my HUD, and a flash of commands came through without a second of delay.
INFIL-DRONE01a ACTIVE, STATUS: NOMINAL. OBJECTIVE: PRIORITY TRACKING AND RECONNAISSANCE OF SUBJECT A109. MISSION PARAMETERS: TRACK, OBSERVE, MAP, AND RETURN-TO-BASE WITHIN PREDETERMINED PARAMETERS. CONFIRM COMMAND Y/N?
“Command confirmed.” I replied vocally, prompting the newly-printed replacement drone to pop out of its docking bay, before charting a course parallel to that of the apprentice.
The drone’s signal was lost just as the apprentice left the room through that dark threshold behind the lectern, at which point, the entire class began shuffling out to the tune of the encroaching band.
Only time would tell what would come of this mission.
But hopefully, we'll get our answers sometime later this evening.
However, instead of blending right into the crowd, or more specifically… being ignored by said crowd, quite a few eyes managed to find their way onto our group. Moreover, the chatter seemed way too interesting to ignore.
“You were right, Cynthis… perhaps there is something about this mercenary prince after all.” A female voice spoke from an all-girl group, eliciting a series of giggles, which were promptly silenced by a privacy screen the moment Thalmin craned his head around.
“Lord Auris Ping has yet again demonstrated his integrity. Let us ensure his pure-hearted determination is lauded this evening, lads! The fearsome strikers shall band together with the most pious of intent!” A tortle-like-turtle jeered, moving strategically to position themselves around Auris Ping’s group, as the expected schmoozing began in full.
“Newrealmer.” Ilunor began, generating a privacy screen in the process.
“Yes, Ilunor?”
“How long do you expect your insect to take in its dastardly escapades?”
“Last time it took a good few hours. So, given this probably isn’t a one-and-done deal, I’d say… maybe three to four hours at the least this time around?” I offered.
“Well then. Splendid. I shall be off, and return within that time frame.”
“Wait wait wait wait. Hold up. Where do you think you’re going?” I inquired firmly.
“I have my own life to lead, newrealmer. Now please, I shall return to our group’s escapades in due time.”
“Where, Ilunor?” I reiterated.
To which the Vunerian could only sigh in response. “The student lounge. Top floor today, if I am to be interrogated for every ounce of information…”
“Then let’s go. Together.” I proclaimed, garnering a few looks of surprise from both Thacea and Thalmin. “Perhaps it’s time we start getting a feel for the lay of the land. We’ve been cooped up in our own little world for far too long, maybe, just maybe, we should all expand our horizons just by a little bit.”
First Previous Next
​
(Author’s Note: The much anticipated round two between Thalmin and Auris has concluded! And following its conclusion, we also get quite a few reactions to Thalmin as a result of his daring display of magical prowess! We also get a pretty hands on demonstration of Light Magic this time around! This is perhaps one of the more hands on class, and indeed one of the more straightforward classes so far! Moreover, the end of classes marks not only the beginning of the little spy drone adventure, but also a little peak into exactly what Ilunor has been up to! I hope you guys enjoy! :D The next Two Chapters are already up on Patreon if you guys are interested in getting early access to future chapters!)
[If you guys want to help support me and these stories, here's my ko-fi ! And my Patreon for early chapter releases (Chapter 81 and Chapter 82 of this story is already out on there!)]

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Spying on a college student wasn’t exactly riveting, mostly because it was so easy! Connecting to Tav’s computer had been a breeze, and taking over the microphone on her phone wasn’t exactly hard either. Blanco had a good look at the girl’s files, checking her old writings with little to no interest, and then reading through the notes she was taking on a ‘Translation effort’ with legitimate curiosity.

The creature was sitting in the air, slowly sliding from one side of his room to the other, lit only by the lights of the many screens on its walls… all while the grin on his face was only growing wider and wider with each new discovery. So a language, hmm? Wasn’t that the thing that G and Eighty Two had been rambling about for years now? Ohhh, he couldn’t wait to tell them… or, at least, tell G about it.

He had been paid quite the hefty sum to not tell 82 a thing of what they discovered, at least for now… the fight between those two had always struck Blanco as arbitrary and stupid, but alas! It wasn’t his business, really! In fact, that fight had brought much more business to him than anything!

The phone suddenly rings. Speak of the devil! A quick check on the caller ID showed Eighty Two’s private line.

With a broken glass grin covering his otherwise smooth face, Blanco took the phone.

“Bianccio Pizzería! Thickest pizza around! How can I help you?~” Oh how he relished pissing people off.

“Shut up.” A cold, feminine voice came from the other side. Eighty Two always sounded so annoyed… “I need a service. Payment will be in advance, as per our usual accord.”

“Ohhh straight to the point huh? I like it!”

“There’s a new user in Dejima 08. Perform the usual Safety Scan. They claim to have been invited by user ‘Canned Tea’, but we know he has lied about it before.”

“Ok, let me check!” Just to cover, Blanco tapped gibberish on his keyboard while softly going ‘beep boop’ as he worked. “... Alright! Got it!”

“That was fast.”

“Tav. Real name Santino Belnades. A Bastard Mage living in Saüle, Wohl.”

“Is he dangerous?”

“Actually she goes by she now!”

“Is she dangerous?” Mustafá grumbled, more annoyed than usual.

“Nah. Just a college student like many others. She’ll give up or die in a month tops.”

“...” Mustafá remained silent for a moment, ruminating. “So Canned Tea is just covering another random bastard…”

“Ahem. My pay?”

“Why is this kid like this? Can’t he realize that he’s getting them into far more trouble than it’s worth?”

“I thought you said nothing ever happens in that forum of yours. Isn’t that your main complaint?”

“That doesn’t mean nothing ‘can’ happen at any moment. If the Brotherhood finds out about this forum, they could seize all of us for questioning.” The alchemist let out a deep sigh.

“Yeah, real tragic. Pay me.”

“I wonder how this one got turned. Probably some mage’s irresponsible usage of spells…? No, Wohl has such a low magical population, and such a high conscription by the Brotherhood…”

Blanco let out the deepest of sighs, rubbing his smooth face with a hand while spinning slowly on his non-existent chair. This was exactly why he prefered working with G, that and the lack of emotions that witch had…

And people called him inhuman! Hah!

“Keep an eye on her. I will pay you right now.”

There was a loud ‘KA-CHING!’ sound coming from one of the computers in the room. Blanco sighed in relief.

“Thank you for your patronage! I will keep you updated.”

“Good.”

With that, the alchemist hung up. Blanco growled again. No one said ‘Good Bye’ these days now, did they!? Rude pricks. And bad news kept coming up! This ‘Canny’ guy was now telling her that he’ll teach her the glyph for digital security?

“Guess baby time is over.”

He’d have to work a little harder to stay hidden if Tav decided to install that on all of her devices. At least it would keep him entertained! Blanco decided to focus on preparing for when things would get more intense.

After all, he had some time. The kid was going to the library, right? There was only one book she wanted from there, and Blanco had read it several times over already.

Gato’s old scratchbook held no new knowledge for the vampire to be interested.


There is no such thing as an entire section dedicated to recipe books in Saüle University’s Library, but I manage to find that stuff in the ‘miscellany’ section. That’s where all the hobby and self-help material ends up, and even if it took me a moment to come to the conclusion, that’s where I went too.

It takes me even longer to look through every single tome I could in that section, but finally, after all my hard work… I think I have found it.

Canny was right, this is a cheap notebook. Soft covers, spiral-bound, both sides stamped with wizard hats, frogs, potion phials and many other pieces of typically ‘witchy’ imagery. Looking through the pages, it is just a bunch of cake and kuchen recipes, nothing to write home about. It is old, the pages are all yellowish and fragile, and there are stains everywhere.

Then, when I am sure no one is watching… I whispered the words.

“Jantar mantar…?”

It is instantaneous, as soon as I say the password the pages begin to change, words disappearas the ink that wrote them starts gathering in a single, dark blotch, and then begins rearranging again…

Something compels me to close the book, feeling a little embarrassed. For some reason I equated it to catching someone changing up clothes, how outrageous!

Finally, after waiting for a moment, I open it again.

The Bastard’s Guide to Magic
By Gato

Okay, that was certainly a title.

Now that I have it in my hands, I quickly close it again and add it to a pile of books I have picked up. Stuff on ancient symbology and old civilizations. With my loot in my arms, I quickly go over to the main desk and get it all sorted.

The second floor librarian smiles at me for a moment before scanning all the barcodes, giving me a week to return all the books, and then offering me a bag to carry them. I shake my head, setting it all in my backpack.

… Wow, it’s been a while since I've taken this old backpack out to Uni, huh?

“Feeling nostalgic?”

“For the times you were an actually useful member of society?”

Maybe a little bit, to be honest. I still remember when I used to come here with Patricio looking for academic books and I escaped the duties to look for something interesting to read…

“Back when you actually read as a hobby.”

Shut up, I’ve been reading more these days, I am returning to it.

Walking out of the Library, I once again avoid the gaze of any acquaintances and run straight for the streets to take another taxi back home. There aren’t that many people around today anyways, probably because of Winter Vacation.

Maybe I should send Patricio a message…

“Oh yeah? And what will you tell him? That you’re ditching formal studies for a fantasy? That magic is real and shit?”

I… thought of saying hi. That’s what friends do, right?

“When was the last time you spoke to a friend? Pepe? Vito? What about Venus?”

I flinch for a moment.

“We can fix that right now! Let’s go chat with Patricio when we get home!”

I… don’t think I will, no. The mere idea of getting in contact with him makes me a little sick from the nerves, especially considering I don’t really have an answer for what he told me before. I remain as undecided on the whole ‘career’ deal as I was that day.

With a hand I call for a passing taxi, and I have the luck of being acknowledged. You never know with the Taxists these days, it is very well known that they dislike the college students in this city.

Maybe he is hurting for money.

I sit down, tell the man where I need to go, and stop thinking about things for a moment as the car moves… only to feel my phone vibrating.

It vibrates more than once.

That means someone’s calling me.

I start sweating almost immediately, as I carefully pull the thing out. Two possibilities, it js either spam, or it is my parents.

It is my parents.

“Calm down.”

“How do you think they would feel if they knew how fucking distressed their presence make you? Do you think they would ask ‘whatever did we do wrong?’ or something like that?”

“Don’t listen. Just… remember that they’ve never meant anything bad, ok? They will accept you, regardless of your results in college.”

I gulp… and with a deep breath, I put on the mask. All trembling stops, just like that night at the planetarium… although it really pains me to compare mom and dad to the cloaks. With another deep breath, I pick up.

“Mom?”

“Ohhhhh hi there Santi! How are you today? I hope I didn’t catch you too busy!” Mom was as vital and energetic as ever. Despite her old age, she really always acts like a far younger woman. That’s admirable, at least to me.

“She will die eventually, too.”

Saints above, shut up.

“I’m fine mom! I was just returning from the library. We started vacation this week, so I was picking some stuff to read on my own.” Not technically a lie. “How are things over there in Sumpf?”

“Ohhh you know, there’s never much to tell around here. Your dad and Vito always at each other’s throats… I really hope they'll get along a bit better with time.”

“They wont. If anything, it will get worse.”

Vito will grow wiser and dad will grow older, I am sure things will get better.

“Hah, I guess some things never change… what about you? Feeling fine?”

“Oh you know me, I am fine! For now.” She laughed loudly. “And you, Santi? How do you feel?”

“Uh…”

Damn it. I hesitated. I need to give that a reason NOW.

“... Well I had a bit of a toothache before, but beyond that, all’s…” I sigh. “Okay, maybe not so good. Mom, I think I flunked my exams this time…”

“Oh my dear…” She sighed, before going back to her positive self. “Don’t torture yourself over it now. Wait for the actual grade to be announced, then torture yourself!”

“Moom!”

“I am just kidding sweetie.” She chuckled a bit. “It is fine, we all fail sometimes… really, it’s not the end of the world, I swear.”

“She’s trying to soften the blow from the fact that you’re a fucking failure.”

I shudder.

“You are doing your best, that’s all that matters.”

“Are you?”

“We are proud of you, Santi. Never forget that.” She said, probably smiling.

“They were proud. Now? They are just enduring you.”

My lips tremble, a sharp breath escapes me. No, please. I can’t cry in a damn taxi…

“...Mom.”

“Yes, dear?”

“... What if this career isn’t what I am meant to do?”

“We are not ‘meant’ to do things. The Saints put us here to try and improve ourselves, but there’s no one dictated path, dear.”

Sometimes I forget that mom is quite religious, it makes me smile a little bit.

“I know, I know. But that’s not what I meant…” I hesitate again, breathing in and out, trying to keep the panic attack at bay. “... Mom… what if this is not the career I am built for?”

“Well… you can always change, dear! It is no problem, don’t worry about the money. We can afford it, especially with your scholarship!”

I certainly lost that one with my disastrous performance here, but I don’t have the guts to tell Mom that.

“As if she didn’t know already. She’s not stupid.”

“... Thank you mom.”

“Any time, dear. If there’s ANYTHING at all that you feel like telling me, remember that I am always on your side, okay?”

“Yes mom.”

“Yeah yeah, ‘yes mom’, that means ‘shut up already, old lady’, right?” She giggled.

“Mooom!”

“Alright, alright… I hope you can come back soon, okay? We miss you.”

“I miss you too.”

“She doesn’t believe you. None of them do. They think you’re cold, distant and a failure on top of all that.”

“I love you mom.”

“Love you too, Santi.”

Click.

The taxi is not moving, it hasn’t been for a while now. The old man behind the steering wheel looks at me with concern.

“We’re here… kid. If something is wrong, you gotta tell your mom. Trust me… there are many things I wish I told mine before she passed.”

“You don’t know us. You have no idea about us. Stop talking so familiarly to us and go away.”

I flinch, pushing down that response and just sighing.

“I know… thank you.”

After paying the man, I walk out of the taxi and let it go, standing in front of my apartment complex for a moment.

I really don’t want to cry today.

But I already feel some tears going down my face.

Why am I like this?

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah and I'm the owner of Null Design Co. I make and design wood keyboard cases. A little background about me, I am a mechanical designecnc programmer by trade, with a degree in industrial/furniture design.
This will be my second group buy! The first was for 60% wood cases, and now I'm offering 65% wood cases along with matching wrist rests and feet. There will be some extras available for purchase after the group buy ends, but these will be at a higher price point and with limited customization options.
With these cases, I'm offering 4 different wood types, 3 different top edge profiles, and 3 different accent metals. 36 possible combinations! Visit the website to see examples of the different variations.
Wood Type: Walnut, Cherry, Maple, or Oak
Top Edge Profile: Chamfered, Rounded, or Flat
Accent Material: Brass, Copper, or Aluminum
Link to my website for the GB: https://nulldesignco.com/
More Details:
All cases are tray mount, and high profile. They are flat (not slanted), but have holes in the bottom to mount feet (available for purchase separately).
The cases have the standard 6 mounting locations, and will fit most 65% PCBs that fit in a Tofu65 case.
The case includes 4mm high removable standoffs, and has a 5mm deep battery well.
All cases are finished with a hard wax oil and include standoffs, screws, and rubber stick-on feet. Brass and copper items are finished with a lacquer to prevent tarnish.
Any of the items can be purchased separately. So for those of you who participated in the 60% GB, you can now buy matching wrist rests and feet for your cases :)
This GB started on April 30th and will run for 5 weeks (until June 4th), and then I will close it and begin production. The product page on my website will show updates. Please expect to wait 8-10 weeks after the GB closes to receive your case.
If you have any questions, or feedback about things you like/don't like, feel free to message me here on Reddit or on my website. Join the Discord or visit the website for reviews.

Hello everyone. This account is a throw-away, just created just now for this purpose, and to remain anonymous. I'm sorry, but this might get long.
Hi. I'm Blind_and_Empty. You can call me "bae", if you like, haha. That kinda worked out in my favor, didn't it? I understand that is how the younger folks are spelling 'babe' now. They can't even be bothered to type type the second "b" in, hahaha. Funny. And aggravating, especially when doing text-to-speech. Anyways, I'm a 55F, and was a preemie, so I have been "legally blind" since I was born, way back in 1968, when we were still pretty much in the cavemen era back then, you see. It was before we had personal computers or the Internet, and everything was done via landline telephones, paperwork, rubber stamps, and a lot of stapling and filing cabinets. My parents didn't know there was help for me, and I went to regular schools, but had special tutors come in from state agencies for the blind, to help me with large print books, etc. We didn't have a lot of options back then.
Fast forward to NOW. I am 55, and doing fine, healthy. I was not able to have children. I was not able to get married, because I never met a rich man who could support me, and I live on a small SSI check, like a lot of you.
The things is, I am at a point in my life now, a point I have feared for decades. I lost my dad long ago. I have never had siblings. I have lived with my mom for the past 25 years. We took care of each other. Over the years, everyone else in my family died. Both sides. And the 5 wonderful and amazing friends my mom and I had?--they all died either from covid 19 or cancer since 2019. And then, 3 days before Christmas, this past xmas, the point I feared for so long, my mom died. Suddenly. After a short few days in the ICU. It was not covid-- it was a stroke. She was only 76! I was truly living a nightmare in real life.
Now, I am alone. And before you guys start telling me I have a lot to live for, well, thank you--help me out with ideas, because I'm at my end of my list!
Things to know and consider:
First and most important-- I AM NOT SUICIDAL! I repeat: I AM NOT SUICIDAL!
Next, I live VERY rurally, on a dirt road. My neighbors are cows and pine trees, I kid you not! I don't have neighbors, they are far and few in between out here. This is important to know--that I live way out in the country! There are no resources out here, for the blind, or anyone, really. We can't even get an Uber out here, we are so far out! So-- also, the only store nearby is a Dollar General, and thank god I DO have the new option of Door Dash out here and gd if that dg isn't one of the 2 stores here they will shop for me. The other store is a food truck, that is no longer there. Man, I have OPTIONS, I tell ya!
Moving on>>> I have money. Plenty that my dear sweet mom tucked away for me, just for this purpose, for after she died, for me to DO something. Whatever I want. I'm comfortable.
But I feel like my life has no purpose. And it doesn't. And looking back, it never had! I've WASTED my entire adulthood. But not on drugs, or alcohol, just wasted because I had no kids, no career, no family of my own making, no social life. Then the Internet was pretty much 'born' circa Windows95 and my social life became an online social life only. Not a real physical one. Just because of circumstances.
Next thing to know is that I have, and always will be, an Atheist. You will NEVER change my mind, so please don't even try to start, and if you suggest I join a church, I will have to block you. I am adamant about my belief in science, not fairy tales. (I am sorry if this offends you, but it is how I feel).
I was not able to have kids. But besides that, I don't even care for their company much. At all. Not at all. So please no one suggest I try babysitting, NOT going to happen!
My life has and is pointless and I need ideas to keep going or I'm going to go crazy with grief!
I don't need a support group right now for my grief, I have plenty of support from hospice and some other agencies they hooked me up with. So I'm ok, they call and check on me and I have an app where I can call anyone at anytime. It's called Empathy app, and hospice told me about it. I'm also working through "A daughter's grief journal-losing your Mom" workbook, and that is helping.
But I've never had a career. I finished high school, and didn't know what to do, so for a year I sat around. Then I met a guy, and we got into trouble. I was a late bloomer when it came to having teenage angst and that 'I hate my parents" phase. (I never really hated them). I went through that phase at the late age of 25. I ran off to a party city and for the next 10 years did NOTHING but party.
Then, Dad got sick and died. I moved back home to help my mom sell our house and we packed up and moved together back to our home state. And for the past 25 years, I've lived with her. We were so close, so very very close, as mother and daughter. We were each others' world. And now, she's gone.
I have a lovely home, and a 2 acre yard, big enough to keep me busy. I hate gardening though. So I hire someone. I have a dog, and some cats. My yard is fenced in and safe, at least I'm doing MY part, even though most people who live in the country think it's normal to NOT fence in your pets!
I need something to do! I have some vision, so I can see a little. Enough. I'm bored! I have no idea what to do every day when I wake up! Sometimes I go outside and just howl and cry at night, or just go out there and SCREAM with frustration in the day, just to get it out!
We can do that out here in the country. We can also play our music as loud as we like and you can bet I'm doing that!
But I'm crying with ennui! Please help me find a goal or something to work on.
I saw a guy on TT, who had a stroke, Uncle Andy, and he can't talk much now, but his niece helps him create t-shirts and they sell them and it is a way to keep Uncle Andy from going bonkers, and to give him a reason like he feels his life still matters.
That is what I need. A reason to feel like my life CAN STILL MATTER somehow.
But I have no knowledge of how to make or edit videos. I have a great iPhone though! And now a pretty empty room in the house, full of potential. I don't know how to edit videos. I thought about starting a YT channel. But, of what? I have no talents. I can't play music. I can't draw or paint. I can't sing. I sure as hell can't dance. Have you ever seen a blind person try to dance? You kind of have to be able to watch others in order to learn those dance moves, you know? Well, us blind folks are kind of at a loss.......
I've tried macrame'. It's ok. But I don't like plants--I manage to kill them because I can't see how they are doing. I don't like gardening, remember?
I've tried making paperweights, other things with resin. Fun, but messy and hard for the blind!
I've tried glass dip fountain pens. What was I thinking? WHAT?!!
I have TRIED desperately to take up bird watching with strong binoculars. Psssshhh, sighhh. A blind birdwatcher. At least my birds are fat and full of food.
I don't want to blog---I've written SO much over my life, already. My own memoir, even. Just not published, yet. Hopefully, it's not finished yet. I hope to add some EXCITING (HINT! HINT!) chapters to it!
I can't see enough to use a sewing machine, or to knit.
I bought a handpan drum, and am TRYING to take lessons via YT, but again, I have no talent for music, though I am trying.
I have tried watercolors, acrylic paints, alcohol inks........I have no artistic talents either. Jealous of the painter, Monet.
I can't see to play any sports and I already have a workout routine with my kettlebells.
There is no place to volunteer here, and even if there was, I'd have no way to get there.
I am so desperate for ideas of stuff to do, I even bought drumsticks to try to drum on some empty plastic buckets, like I saw the kids in another city doing. This was before I bought the handpan drum, which you play very lightly, with ONLY your hands, no sticks or mallets. The bucket drumming was a disaster.
I can't see well enough to make jewelry.
I don't need to make money--so I'm not after that. In fact, I have enough money to start any project really, but what? I thought about even buying a pottery wheel and all of that junk, but for what? Even if I had a kiln, I'd have to sell the pottery after all, and I'm not interested in selling anything. I'd have to give it away, but why bother?
I am not able to get out to meet new people, to make new friends, and right now, I'm alone for the first time in life, and scared AF, and I don't trust ANYONE. I don't want strangers coming into my house, because Mom and I have been burglarized before twice, and that is a horrible and terrifying ordeal to go through once, let alone twice! And that was when she was here, and she HAD good eyes, and we still got hit, twice. Yes, it was people who had been in our home! No, the police never caught them or recovered our goods, which were handguns. NOW I HAVE A BIG ASS SAFE BOLTED TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
Looking back, 55 years of this life, of a human who is good hearted, who never really did anything bad in her life (that trouble I got into was between me and my parents and this guy, you know--the typical we hate your bf kind of crap trouble). I try to follow the wisdom of the Buddha, by living in the moment, by trying to be mindful. I am kind. I am generous and too damn softhearted. My life has been a waste! I only lived to keep mom ok, and she the same for me. We lived for each other. We traveled. We had fun. We did everything together. Now she's gone and I'm ruined, crushed, confused, so sad, so GDF sad! And I'm healthy, so I think I have another 20 in me, and I have enough money to do whatever I like, really.
I'm just out of ideas and because I live so rurally, I'm out of luck for resources. Oh god, how I'd give anything to be able to walk down a bustling sidewalk to my favorite local coffee house and sit down for an espresso while taking in the atmosphere of one of America's most famous cities, like I used to do, when I was in my 20's, and lived with this trouble-maker-of-a-boyfriend. But it allowed me the taste of freedom from home, and of what big-city-life was like. Now, I have a fancy Keurig machine, that I don't even find pleasure in anymore.
There is no pleasure in anything anymore, now that Mom is gone. I find it hard to even cook a meal, because there is no pleasure in it. I've lost so much weight... But I needed to, so that's a bonus. I spend SO much money on food, because our fridge was always packed FULL, and I don't know what else to do. But it is SO much food that I can't eat it. It gets hard, dried, wasted, tossed out. My pup and cats get a lot meat, hahaha.
Please help me find reasons to make me feel like the remainder of my life won't be wasted and for nothing. I know my life really wasn't "pointless" to those of you who mean well and to want to boast my mood, but come on, I am a realist, and look at what I have accomplished: NOTHING. I never even had a job. I've always been taken care of. I've been so effing fortunate, and I still am, because my Mom made sure I'd be taken care of. I can see now how spoiled I truly was. People always told me I was a spoiled brat, even though I was a quiet, and docile, scared blind child. I never made much noise, and always hid behind my parents' legs. I just need to find reasons to make the days feel like there is something to look forward to. A reason to be excited to get out of bed.
And please, no one suggest a new puppy or kitty or anything like that. I already thought about getting a kangaroo-- a few people around here DO have them-- but no. I already have pets. Mom and I tried a laying chicken, what a lot of work she was! Yeah, the egg every day or so was COOL, but we were too freaked out to eat it, (why????????), and that hen shat on EVERYTHING! So we gave her to a young girl who needed one for a science project. We called that hen "Betty Clucker" because we DID use her eggs sometimes in a cake or something. But we couldn't eat that egg by itself for some stupid reason. Mind over matter.
Anything else, I'd be grateful for your ideas.
I am just NOT open to church or kids. And we don't have an animal shelter here to volunteer at, so that is out too. Anyways, I'd have no way to get anywhere.
Please, I'm needing to keep myself busy, or the grief starts to work on me too much. I know it'll ease up in time, but it never stops hurting. So I already know to give myself time, to be easy on myself. I am folks. I'm just going crazy with not knowing what to do all day, every day.
Thank you ahead of time. I am eager to hear your replies, and I really do appreciate anyone who took the time just to read this. Thank you.