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Box Office - The Business of Movies
2009.07.03 15:29 Dorkside Box Office - The Business of Movies
A place to talk about the box office and the movie business, both domestically and internationally.
2011.11.13 00:15 sineofmadness Beyoncé
A subreddit for fans to connect, discuss, and enjoy Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's music and career. Since 1997 and counting.
2012.06.14 09:29 Horrorcore-Princess All things Trashy!
2024.06.02 18:09 HamsterDunce The much awaited Kendu feature in Shib Mag is in the works
 | The Kendu dev Miazaki is officially in contact with our reporter from the Shib Magazine. Keep an eye out for the feature coming soon! submitted by HamsterDunce to memecoins [link] [comments] To those unfamiliar… Kendu has deep ties to Shib. Miazaki was a shib OG and assisted in the testing for the Shibarium. He is close friend with Shytoshi Kusama (shib dev), who has followed the main Kendu X since 1M MC. The level of Shytoshi’s involvement in Kendu is still undisclosed. What it’s important to note is that Kendu is running it up old school style. 100% community driven growth. No paid marketing or KOLs to dump their bags on you. Miazaki is applying the lessons learned from his time with Shib to build the next memecoin empire. Fade Kendu at your own risk. |
2024.06.02 18:06 Dwalker0212 Drugs and sneaking out
We have 3 teen boys(siblings), who have been caught sneaking in the house at 5am, obvious drug use, lying, aggressive posturing when asked about any miss doing.
They are on probation for beating a man to the point of hospitalization.(this was not disclosed to us prior to placement)
The two older boys both submitted positive urine tests this week, but their probation officer likes to give them a lot of space, and wants to be buddy buddy.
This weekend we got kicked out of the local bowling alley because one of the boys was having s*x in the arcade with his GF right next to a 7year old birthday party
Our home supervisor has been ZERO help, we are not allowed to confront them, ask questions about drug use, we are not allowed to search their rooms even though we know they are using drugs in their room .We officially asked for removal, and the supervisor of the probation officer has taken over the case and is coming over to our house tomorrow to search their rooms and take their phones.
This is crazy. We put our 1yo FS in respite for the week just to get him outta the situation, because we anticipate the older boys to get really angry when there rooms get tossed.
submitted by Dwalker0212 to Fosterparents [link] [comments]
They are on probation for beating a man to the point of hospitalization.(this was not disclosed to us prior to placement)
The two older boys both submitted positive urine tests this week, but their probation officer likes to give them a lot of space, and wants to be buddy buddy.
This weekend we got kicked out of the local bowling alley because one of the boys was having s*x in the arcade with his GF right next to a 7year old birthday party
Our home supervisor has been ZERO help, we are not allowed to confront them, ask questions about drug use, we are not allowed to search their rooms even though we know they are using drugs in their room .We officially asked for removal, and the supervisor of the probation officer has taken over the case and is coming over to our house tomorrow to search their rooms and take their phones.
This is crazy. We put our 1yo FS in respite for the week just to get him outta the situation, because we anticipate the older boys to get really angry when there rooms get tossed.
2024.06.02 18:05 purpledonutdreams PSEP Reserve to Active Duty
I recently successfully re-enlisted from the IRR into the active component with a lateral move. This process took about three months start to finish. The lack of information online and my recruiter's inexperience with PSEP packages made it somewhat difficult. Please direct message me if this is something you are considering and I will forward you some resources to streamline the process.
submitted by purpledonutdreams to USMCboot [link] [comments]
2024.06.02 18:05 Peacock-Shah-III The Election of 1952 Peacock-Shah Alternate Elections
 | October 3rd, 1952 submitted by Peacock-Shah-III to Presidentialpoll [link] [comments] A date heralded for a year as the coming Armageddon by Manuel Herrick and followers of his claim to be the reincarnation of Christ saw Americans admire the beautiful blue sky of clear weather nationally, go to work as they would, and laugh off the street corner evangelists of the new Immanuel. Yet, for those awake to hear the bells of midnight toll, those young lovers left under the stars, prisoners behind bars, and night workers just entering their cars, the anxious tones of Walter Cronkite would break through the air to announce that the French State, that global bulwark of authoritarianism, had conducted its first test of the most destructive weapon known to humankind, splitting the atom to transform into an inferno the prison colony off the coast of Guiana known aptly as Devil’s Island. With an economy growing at a record rate and a global position at new heights, the nation once more treks to the polls for a referendum on its soul, even as a Damocles sword of annihilation hangs over our heads with the dozens of satellites sent to the final frontier by the La Follette Administration, for no longer is the destructive power of the universe the sole dominion of the United States of America. Caesar and Cincinnatus. With Farmer-Labor opposition leaders John L. Lewis and Joseph McCarthy imprisoned on a variety of charges related to union racketeering and, in the latter’s case, homosexuality, 55 year old incumbent President Philip F. La Follette of Wisconsin has resoundingly won renomination for a third term alongside 55 year old incumbent Vice President Michael A. Musmanno of Pennsylvania, a mere year after surviving the first presidential impeachment in American history. Loyal Blackshirts by his side and intra-party opposition at a nadir, the man who has carried America into the age of space and atoms now rallies his masses once more in a final crusade to “win the peace.” With a vision of a nationalized Federal Reserve and a litany of executive orders held back by the promises that prevented his removal, La Follette has criss-crossed the nation fiercely in his bid for a record breaking third consecutive term, promoting his support for international anti-communist decolonization and defending his prosecution of prominent opposition politicians, pointing to the violence of Lewis’s union men and the slurry of corruption allegations surrounding arrested oppositionists such as Fulgencio Batista. Meanwhile, La Follette has instead shifted criticism to the “reign of terror” he has accused oppositionist Speaker of the House Joseph McCarthy of instituting in his hunt for communists in government, alleging that an opposition President would “use a shotgun instead of a rifle” to fight communism. Pointing to the nation’s record low unemployment and falling inflation rates, La Follette implores voters for a mandate to “win the peace” by using the reorganized cabinet Departments of Peace, Production, and Prosperity to implement his executive orders nationalizing the healthcare industry, constructing an interstate highway system, and building a hydroelectric power grid. Further, decrying the allegations of executive overreach crucial in bringing Congress to the point of impeachment, Phil has sought the passage of a constitutional amendment reducing the legislative power to that of a veto and expanding that of the presidency while instituting a nationwide referendum system. While inevitably turning the nation’s memory once more to the retaliatory nuclear strikes on the Japanese Empire that claimed the lives of two million civilians, La Follette has made a dual vow to pursue the deescalation of Franco-American relations in his third term alongside a continuance of nuclear testing, yet has promised a firm anti-communist line, pointing to his two terms of experience as the republic’s Commander-in-Chief and his role in final victory in the Pacific Wars. In the aftermath of a wave of post-impeachment violence by pro-administration Blackshirts, La Follette has firmly denounced any violence committed in his name and backed the statement up with prosecutorial action from the Justice Department, however, Vice President Musmanno has refused to recant his own statements calling for vigilante action against the opposition. With Progressive and Liberal leaders alike in jail and Will Rogers the victim of Blackshirt violence, the Committee for the Preservation of the Republic has brought the two parties together under a joint banner of opposition. After two dozen ballots of discord, Preservationists sought inspiration from the Roman Republic in using the name “Cincinnatus League” for their presidential ticket’s organizing, alternately the “Cincinnatus Party” and “New Order of Cincinnatus,” as they turned to 48 year old retired Air Force General Elwood R. Quesada, a dashing baseball player turned fighter pilot who married into the media empire of Joseph Pulitzer and personally oversaw years of atomic tests on occupied Sakhalin, alongside 41 year old California Senator Will Rogers Jr., son of the two time presidential nominee. Where President La Follette has taken his appeal to the people, the famously inspiring yet hot tempered General Quesada has run a cautious campaign at the imploration of party leaders after an incident where he referred to President La Follette as “pathetic” but branded members of his own party “paranoid.” Instead, supporters focus on the aeronautical exploits, devout Catholicism, and heroic status of the man they tout as the American Cincinnatus. A massive funding effort has churned out millions of “Can’t Beat Pete” pins and produced polished television slots promising a “return to normalcy” with the freedom of all arrested opposition leaders, denationalization of the General Trades Union, and an end to the imperial presidency, as a cartoon Quesada is depicted taking to the skies. Promoting an increasingly active foreign policy with a military pact by pro-American nations in the Pacific, the campaign has also addressed bread and butter issues by promising tax cuts and government downsizing alongside a complete rejection of President La Follette’s reorganization of the cabinet into umbrella departments of Peace, Prosperity, and Production. While stating opposition to the New State and “win the peace” proposals, Quesada has refused to echo imprisoned 1948 Progressive nominee Ben Gitlow’s accusation of a La Follette “dictatorship of executive orders,” pointing to his much vaunted managerial experience as a war hero and his role as an aid to New State architect Hugh S. Johnson to promise a cautiously delayed repeal and supported La Follette’s interstate highway system, while promising to secure a congressional mandate for it rather than act by executive fiat. However, Quesada has promised the immediate end to La Follette’s push for healthcare universalization. The son of a Spanish banker and Irish mother who describes himself as “basically an immigrant,” Quesada has also opposed the La Follette administration’s imposition of immigration restrictions while promising immediate statehood for the plurality Jewish territory of Tannenbaum in contrast to President La Follette’s moratoria on executive consideration of the issue, while stating an openness to the possibility of annexing Quebec. Though President La Follette himself has campaigned above the fray, Vice President Musmanno has led Farmer-Laborites in attacking Quesada. Noting that oppositionists call for a two term amendment, supporters of La Follette have noted that almost all supported Aaron Burr Houston in his 1940 quest for a fourth term, a campaign that has led others to mock Quesada’s call for age limits on elected officials as the nominee of a party that was last led to victory by an 86 year old widely believed to suffer from dementia; others go so far to allege that, as a personal friend of Charles Lindbergh who has refused to denounce him even today, Quesada himself may have supported Farmer-Labor’s heroic Lone Eagle against the Progressive’s Old Raven in the crucial election of 1940. Third party and independent candidates in the 1952 United States presidential election. The Straight-Out Liberty League and Social Credit minor party tickets lack full ballot access and thus results are subject to limitations and adjustment. Chairman Frank Chodorov and the libertarian leadership of the Liberty League has won the right to the name and formal legal status in court against the majority Preservationist Liberal faction after a six month long court battle. However, with their fundraising sources lost and in a struggle to maintain ballot access without the organization’s electoral machinery, the organization has managed a small scale campaign functioning largely as a series of ideological lecture tours. To that end, the Straight-Out Liberty Leaguers have endorsed 66 year old author Rose Wilder Lane for the presidency alongside 65 year old organizational Chairman Frank Chodorov, so committed to his anti-government principles that he has pledged to not even vote for himself. This independent splinter Liberty League ticket has called for the immediate abolition of all New State legislation, the minimum wage, income tax, NSA, and Social Security; however, both members of the ticket have been indicted for tax evasion. On the other side of the spectrum, 76 year old Mormon Church President and former Representative Israel A. Smith has reluctantly mounted a bid for the presidency alongside Representative Solon Earl Low in an attempt by erstwhile Farmer-Labor Senators Hans Enoch Wight, founder of the old Union Party, and John Horne Blackmore to build the foundations of an independent Social Credit Party in the mold of the old Union Party. Smith has campaigned as a candidate for all Americans, not merely Mormons, while Low has focused on a platform of economic democracy through the issuance of “prosperity certificates” and an end to interest focused banking alongside general ideas of Christian governance, a term objected to by those unwilling to consider Smith’s sect Christian. Despite the best efforts of the neo-Unionists, notable social creditors such as W.A.C. Bennett and Robert A. Heinlein have remained loyal to La Follette and the Farmer-Labor Party. Please note that votes for the following minor candidates must be cast by write-in. The Single Tax Party has nominated 84 year old former Representative Charles R. Eckert for President alongside 68 year old Boise Mayor James P. Pope in what is seen as a move to protect their ballot access amidst swirling rumors of a possible 1956 candidacy from California Senator Jerry Voorhis. Committed Farmer-Labor socialists unwilling to sit the election out have mounted a third party Socialist effort once more, securing limited ballot access for 55 year old Catholic Worker editor Dorothy Day and 37 year old De Leonist activist Georgia Cozzini on the Peace and Freedom banner. Endorsing a complete transition to a socialist and eventually anarchist economy, Day has promoted the consistent life ethic and called for nuclear disarmament, universal healthcare, pacifism, and federal restrictions on abortion. On the ballots of Georgia and Florida, a separate independent Socialist ticket has been nominated by local organizers, consisting of 72 year old former Senator Helen Keller, the a former Revolutionary, and 37 year old Georgia Cozzini once more as her running mate. A consistent socialist who breaks with Day's views with her support of abortion and birth control, Keller remains internationally famous for her tenacious journey from dual deaf and blindness to status as a renowned author and activist. Finally, followers of the Church of Immanuel have placed their messiah Manuel Herrick of Texas on the ballot in several plains states alongside ally Wallace Dodd Fard, who have campaigned on declaring Herrick to be god and thus legally the nation’s supreme power in light of the Jesus Amendment. Pointing to the French nuclear test on Herrick’s day of Armageddon, the Immanuelites argue that the prediction affirms his claim to Godhood. View Poll |
2024.06.02 18:05 FounderFolks Growing a $1M+ Moving Business
Steffie here from Founder Folks, with a recent story I did with Daniel White from Bigger Better Movers.
Here is his story of how he started and grew his moving business.
Name: Daniel White Company: Bigger Better Movers Employee Size: 20-25 Technology Tools: Housecall Pro, Gusto, GroupMe, Upwork, ActiveCampaign, Zapier, Social Media Revenue: $1,000,000+ Founded: 2017 Website: ~www.biggerbettermovers.com
Introduction: I am in the moving and transportation business. Bigger Better Movers provides residential and commercial moving services for customers throughout Oklahoma. We have two physical locations in OKC and Tulsa and provide services ranging from packing, storage, labor only, on site relocation and interstate moves. All services are available for both commercial and residential customers.
Prior to starting my moving company I was in the insurance business. I sold property and casualty coverages, mainly auto and home coverages to families in Oklahoma. I sold that business to try my luck in the tech space. I lost bad. My worst entrepreneur moment! During that time I also acquired a brewery called Mustang Brewery thru an acquisition with an investment group. I have bought, sold, and flipped commercial and residential real estate since 2017 and Also just started a Property Management company called People Property Solutions.
The Inspiration Behind Bigger Better Movers From my past experience I learned that I preferred service based businesses over product based businesses. After losing big with my tech company in 2017 I knew I had to pivot and find a new way to create revenue. I considered my network and my current skill set. I considered businesses with minimal risk and low start up cost. Being in insurance most people I knew were somehow involved around a real estate transaction. Lenders, Realtors, Insurance agents, Restoration companies, Roofers, etc. Everyone had something to do with real estate. I just needed to find out where I fit in. I ended up trying my hand at moving. It was something that nobody liked to do, an industry that needed improvement and something that could pay well if I could dial it in.
From Idea to Reality It happened relatively quick. Since I needed to find a way to create revenue I quickly form the legal structure. EIN, LLC, Etc. Prior I did have to come up with the name and ensure the name and domain was available online. Once secured and the legal formation was complete I created a business plan, organizational chart and mission, vision and purpose statement to give us direction. The original funding came from a few assets I had sold and credit cards to get started. I sold my first job before I ever had a truck. I had to make a quick purchase to complete the job.
Attracting Customers Through HomeAdvisor, Groupon, Google, word of mouth/referral, in-person visits to apartments, realtor offices, etc.
Overcoming Challenges in Starting the Business COVID, inflation, interest rates, interstate regulation - There's no formal training or classes to learn interstate transportation regulation. Hiring employees, creating a culture, and getting people to buy in.
Costs and Revenue Staff, insurance, and fuel.
Revenue used to come from one source: just moving. Now it comes from storage, moving, material, and middle mile transportation contracts.
A Day in the Life I always put myself first. I wake up around 7:30 - 8 a.m., check in with my operations manager, and do a quick overview of dispatching operations. Then, I proceed to the gym to work out and have a healthy breakfast. Meetings and office work usually take place after 12 p.m. for me. Emails are not a priority throughout the day as most are not money-generating activities, so I respond most often after 6 p.m. when the day-to-day pace slows down.
The Vision for Bigger Better Movers We will have 3 locations. OKC, DFW, TULSA. We will have physical locations in each equipped with 100+ storage units, full retail stores to purchase material and our dispatch location on premises with all of our trucks and field team on site.
Guiding Principles for Entrepreneurial Success Do the things that need to be done when no one else is watching. Be authentically you! High level operators can tell the difference and generally will steer clear if you're not authentic. Keep a great network of motivated, influential people. They will push you to get from where you're at to where you're trying to go!
submitted by FounderFolks to Entrepreneur [link] [comments]
Here is his story of how he started and grew his moving business.
Name: Daniel White Company: Bigger Better Movers Employee Size: 20-25 Technology Tools: Housecall Pro, Gusto, GroupMe, Upwork, ActiveCampaign, Zapier, Social Media Revenue: $1,000,000+ Founded: 2017 Website: ~www.biggerbettermovers.com
Introduction: I am in the moving and transportation business. Bigger Better Movers provides residential and commercial moving services for customers throughout Oklahoma. We have two physical locations in OKC and Tulsa and provide services ranging from packing, storage, labor only, on site relocation and interstate moves. All services are available for both commercial and residential customers.
Prior to starting my moving company I was in the insurance business. I sold property and casualty coverages, mainly auto and home coverages to families in Oklahoma. I sold that business to try my luck in the tech space. I lost bad. My worst entrepreneur moment! During that time I also acquired a brewery called Mustang Brewery thru an acquisition with an investment group. I have bought, sold, and flipped commercial and residential real estate since 2017 and Also just started a Property Management company called People Property Solutions.
The Inspiration Behind Bigger Better Movers From my past experience I learned that I preferred service based businesses over product based businesses. After losing big with my tech company in 2017 I knew I had to pivot and find a new way to create revenue. I considered my network and my current skill set. I considered businesses with minimal risk and low start up cost. Being in insurance most people I knew were somehow involved around a real estate transaction. Lenders, Realtors, Insurance agents, Restoration companies, Roofers, etc. Everyone had something to do with real estate. I just needed to find out where I fit in. I ended up trying my hand at moving. It was something that nobody liked to do, an industry that needed improvement and something that could pay well if I could dial it in.
From Idea to Reality It happened relatively quick. Since I needed to find a way to create revenue I quickly form the legal structure. EIN, LLC, Etc. Prior I did have to come up with the name and ensure the name and domain was available online. Once secured and the legal formation was complete I created a business plan, organizational chart and mission, vision and purpose statement to give us direction. The original funding came from a few assets I had sold and credit cards to get started. I sold my first job before I ever had a truck. I had to make a quick purchase to complete the job.
Attracting Customers Through HomeAdvisor, Groupon, Google, word of mouth/referral, in-person visits to apartments, realtor offices, etc.
Overcoming Challenges in Starting the Business COVID, inflation, interest rates, interstate regulation - There's no formal training or classes to learn interstate transportation regulation. Hiring employees, creating a culture, and getting people to buy in.
Costs and Revenue Staff, insurance, and fuel.
Revenue used to come from one source: just moving. Now it comes from storage, moving, material, and middle mile transportation contracts.
A Day in the Life I always put myself first. I wake up around 7:30 - 8 a.m., check in with my operations manager, and do a quick overview of dispatching operations. Then, I proceed to the gym to work out and have a healthy breakfast. Meetings and office work usually take place after 12 p.m. for me. Emails are not a priority throughout the day as most are not money-generating activities, so I respond most often after 6 p.m. when the day-to-day pace slows down.
The Vision for Bigger Better Movers We will have 3 locations. OKC, DFW, TULSA. We will have physical locations in each equipped with 100+ storage units, full retail stores to purchase material and our dispatch location on premises with all of our trucks and field team on site.
Guiding Principles for Entrepreneurial Success Do the things that need to be done when no one else is watching. Be authentically you! High level operators can tell the difference and generally will steer clear if you're not authentic. Keep a great network of motivated, influential people. They will push you to get from where you're at to where you're trying to go!
2024.06.02 18:05 Klokinator The Cryopod to Hell 564: Hardcore Henry
Author note: The Cryopod to Hell is a Reddit-exclusive story with over three years of editing and refining. As of this post, the total rewrite is 2,197,000+ words long! For more information, check out the link below:
What is the Cryopod to Hell?
Join the Cryoverse Discord server!
Here's a list of all Cryopod's chapters, along with an ePub/Mobi/PDF version!
Want to stay up to date on TCTH? Subscribe to Cryopodbot!
...................................
(Previous Part)
(Part 001)
A few days pass. Unbeknownst to humanity, Unarin decisively dispatches some of his 5th and 6th Level Psions to assist Diablo's goals of planetary conquest. At the same time, he also adds in more than a hundred thousand High Technopath Warriors, frontline combatants outfitted with lethal weaponry embedded into every inch of their bodies. These warriors, unlike mindless automatons, fight with biological intuition and the power of technological supremacy. When the Volgrim combine their forces with that of the demons, they multiply Diablo's planetary capture speed severalfold, allowing him to take new worlds in just a few hours, sometimes even only a single hour.
But humanity doesn't know about this, aside from the Wordsmiths using their special spying methods. Rather, they remain fully focused on the planetary migration efforts.
All across Tarus II, more and more humans, demons, and monsters make key decisions about whether they will immigrate or whether they will remain on Tarus II.
Kiari and Saul pause outside the Northern Immigration Center.
"Nah. None of these." Saul says to his fiance. "I like our cabin just fine. It's in a good spot. It's secluded. And most of the demons and monsters are staying on Tarus II anyway, right?"
Kiari rubs her belly. Already, she's begun to develop the tiniest baby bump.
"Yeah. I don't wanna go anywhere, either. Oh, hey, Beelzebub!"
Kiari waves cheerfully to a certain Demon Emperor nearby. Beelzebub casually walks over and waves back.
"You two moving?" Beelzebub asks, sticking his hands in the pockets of his slacks.
"We decided against that." Saul answers. "How about you?"
"I'm staying. Obviously." Beelzebub says with a shrug. "Where else am I gonna go? Pixiv, with the fairies? They only want humans. Maiura? That's not an option. One of those 'secret' places Jason's been yammering about? Humans and monsters only."
"You could live on Hell Harbor. Or Sharmur!" Kiari chirps cutely with her eyes turning upward into crescent moons. "I hear Diablo's had a few Dukes reconstructing Hell Harbor after the Archangel attack."
Beelzebub waves his hand in a flippant manner. "Pass. I'm good with staying here. Besides, whenever I leave Tarus II, I always feel a bit... weaker. It's as if I'm more powerful when I'm here, but I can't deduce why for the life of me."
He taps his chin thoughtfully. "Could just be my imagination. Who knows."
"Well, I'm glad you're sticking around!" Kiari says. "You've had it rough, and you've done bad things, but I feel you're a good guy at heart."
"It's nice someone believes in me." Beelzebub says with a smile. "If anyone comes to cause trouble here, I'll kick 'em out of the star system myself."
"That's the spirit!" Saul laughs.
...
Meanwhile, at the Western Immigration Center, other people also congregate together, pondering where they belong.
"Daddy!" Lily Brown exclaims, stomping her feet. "I don't WANNA!"
"We've stayed here long enough." Benjamin Brown says, gently squeezing his daughter's arm. "Tarus II is in a precarious situation. I don't feel this place is safe. We have to return to Hell Harbor now that the Slithering Spire is finished with its reconstruction efforts."
"You can go if you want." Lily says, crossing her arms and turning away from her father defiantly. "I heard Beli is staying here. That means I am too! Besides, I've made lots of friends with the humans. I don't want to go back to Hell Harbor."
"What you want is not up for debate here, young lady." Benjamin Brown says, his face darkening. "I am your father. You will do as I say."
"No, I won't!" Lily shoots back. "I'm already twenty-four years old, daddy! I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions! Or are you really going to treat me like a little girl for the rest of my life?!"
"That's not what I mean, and you know it!" Benjamin barks back. "Dammit, this is for your own good. Stop chasing that succubus and use your head for once! The First Wordsmith is too lackadaisical to lead this planet to any long-lasting good times. You can't trust his judgment."
"Who said anything about the stupid Wordsmith??" Lily asks, bewildered. "I don't care about him. I've never even met him! I only care about Beli and my friends. No matter what you say, I'm staying here. And that's FINAL."
"You... you!" Benjamin roars. "You're just like your mother!"
"What? Strong and independent?" Lily scoffs. "Don't be mad because she left you, daddy. I'm making my own choices. If you try to force me back to Hell Harbor, I'll just sneak away. And if you lock me in a dungeon, you'll be proving what a piece of work you are!"
"I... I don't even know what to say." Benjamin Brown says, dismayed. "Fine. Alright? You want to pull the mother card, be like that. You can stay here. I need to return to Hell Harbor, though. I have too many things that require my attention."
He pauses. He looks around for a moment, frowning.
"You know, Lily. If... if you're not near me, I can't protect you."
"Protect me? Why would I need your protection?" Lily scoffs. "I'm a nobody. There ain't no demons gunning for me."
"That isn't entirely true..." Benjamin mutters, as his thoughts turn to a certain prison warden. "Look, I had a friend make you this necklace. It has a special savior beacon built into it. If you ever need me, activate it. Daddy will come running, no matter where you are in the galaxy. It has trans-dimensional properties so even if you're 90,000 lightyears away, I should be able to track you down."
Lily crinkles her nose. "Be honest. This is just your way of keeping tabs on me, isn't it?"
Benjamin chuckles. "Not by any means. I want to make sure you're safe, sweetheart. Your brothers and sisters are all grown up, off doing their own thing. You're... the only one I have left. The others haven't spoken to me in ages."
Lily's heart softens as she notices the pained look on Benjamin's face.
"Daddy... daddy, don't cry, okay? It's not- I'll keep the necklace, okay? And I'll call you regularly, maybe even pay a visit to Hell Harbor once in a while. I'm just gonna be... living here for the moment. Staying independent!"
Benjamin sighs. "Alright, baby girl. You keep yourself safe then. Don't ever take that necklace off, alright?"
"I won't, daddy. Bye now!"
...
"Pixiv, is it?" A young man at the Southern Immigration Center asks. "Of course it would be for you, sir. I'm just surprised she's going too."
Lieutenant Samuel Baker glances at the woman standing beside him, Private Ashley Mccarthy. As one of humanity's foremost powerhouses, capable of transforming into an orc at will even without her Power Glove, she has attracted a lot of attention of late, attention she doesn't particularly enjoy.
"I'm hoping the fairies can help me." Ashley says, crossing her arms. "I don't get why I have to transform into a stupid ugly orc. I wanna be able to turn into a cute and dainty fairy, like Lieutenant Baker."
"Hey." Samuel growls at her. "I do NOT look cute and dainty. I look... masculine as hell. Man, if I could trade my crappy fairy transformation with you, I'd be HAPPY to do it."
"Well, even the Wordsmiths can't fix this problem, so I doubt the fairies can." Ashley grouches. "But I've gotta at least try! Plus, I heard there's going to be a special task force assembled when we reach the fairies. Seems they have some sort of mission that will be really beneficial for us. At least that's the word on the grapevine."
"That's what I've heard too." Samuel says. "In any case, who else is coming to Pixiv?"
"Some of the other soldiers." Ashley answers. "Especially ones who've prematurely gained transformations through the Power Glove. I hear the majority of them have signed up for a transfer to Pixiv. The Felorians, too!"
"Even them?" Samuel asks, his eyes shining with surprise. "It seems Pixiv is the destination of choice for magically-enhanced humans. Interesting."
"I hear Mister Yamir is planning to expand his restaurant enterprise to multiple worlds in one go." The young man running the sign-up line says. "He's going to build a restaurant on Sharmur, Hell Harbor, Pixiv, anywhere that will take him. It seems his food is so popular nobody wants to turn him down!"
"That minotaur has some real business acumen." Ashley says, rubbing her chin. "I heard that the goblins have been acting similarly too. They're going to all the different worlds! Seems they don't have any specific attachments to Tarus II."
"So if all these bigshots are going to other worlds, who's staying here?" Samuel asks.
"Lots of allied demons, mostly." Ashley answers. "Plenty of monsters. Not too many humans. There is Miss Hiro, but that much is expected. I heard Hans Wagner is packing up to go to Maiura, actually. His base on Tarus's moon, Kelkin, has been where he does most of his inventing stuff, but it's a pretty inconvenient location. He wants to put his boots on normal planet ground for once."
"General Chadwick is going with Commander Neil to Maiura." The young male recruiter adds. "Oh! And have you heard of the Cybernites? Seems they've been busy helping work on some big tech project alongside Neil's inventors, including Hans Wagner."
"Dang." Samuel mutters. "We're really all splitting up, huh? Everyone's going to different places."
"It's better this way." Ashley says. "Trying to get all these different people to work together was like herding cats. Personally I'm looking forward to seeing how everything shakes out in the end."
"You know what?" Samuel asks. "Me too, Ashley. Me too."
...
Near the Eastern side of the Fortress of Retribution's upper plateau.
At the edge of the city, a notable structure stands tall, a magical privacy field of immense power surrounding it to isolate all the goings-on inside. This building happens to be none other than the Archangel's church, a place where Uriel lives following her bodily transformation back into her original self. Despite still technically possessing the body of a Demon Duke, she now seems identical to her physical form from more than 100,000 years prior to her death during the War in Heaven.
Inside the church, a male human and a pair of female angels stand opposite the four Archangels. Siddhartha Gautama, Cassiel, and Soleil all look at Raphael, Michael, Gabriel, and Uriel with differing expressions.
"I don't understand." Cassiel says softly. "Why would you want to leave, Raphael?"
The Archangel of Wisdom shakes his head. He looks at the floor with a complicated expression.
"Verily, this decision was not one I wished to make." Raphael says, his words slow and deliberate. "My alliance with the First Wordsmith hath grown tenuous over many a recent day, but not in any recent weeks hath he deigned to speak to me. Meanwhile, my relationship with the Second Wordsmith art still somewhat warm."
"There is no point in our remaining on Tarus II." Michael explains. "We do not wish to reside upon a world primarily populated by monsters and bloodskins. The majority of humanity hath opted to travel to Maiura, and so too shall we go with them."
Gabriel nods. "Humans art our allies. Why stay? Better to migrate where the humans have gone."
Soleil frowns. "That might be true, I suppose. But us having to depart all of a sudden still feels quite abrupt."
"Do not misunderstand." Raphael quickly says. "Cassiel, thou art still the Daughter of Heaven. Thou needeth not walk in our footsteps. T'would be best if Soleil and thee remaineth here while my siblings and I go to Maiura. In this way, we can spread the word of the Creator in two locations at once."
"Oh. I see..." Cassiel says, lowering her eyes. A look of sadness fills her gaze, as well as more than a hint of loneliness. "I... I don't know if I'm strong enough to stay here all by myself."
"Now now," Buddha interjects, "you will not be alone, little one. I'll stay with you, as will Soleil. Additionally, you seem to have made a new acquaintance in that Belial, yes? Perhaps this would be a good time to spread your wings and meet new people."
"Buddha's right!" Soleil says excitedly. "Cass, this is a great chance for you to make lots of new friends!!"
"New friends..." Cassiel says hesitantly. "Y-yes. I suppose... that would be... nice."
Uriel and her brothers exchange a knowing glance. She turns and walks over to Cassiel, squeezing her shoulder lovingly.
"We shalt leave this church to thee, little one. Do with it whatever thou dost desire. It shalt be thy home, and perhaps a meeting place for those who wish to bear witness to thy future rise."
Michael also takes a step forward. "Daughter of Heaven. I consider thyself a sister in spirit, if not in blood. Therefore, what I am about to say, I hope thou doth understand I speak it with only the best of intentions."
He pauses.
"Thou requireth power. Spiritual power. Faith energy. We Archangels cans't truly live well on the energy supplied by that hateful bloodskin, Barbatos, but thy vessel is not the same as ours. As a Lazarite, thou requireth Faith Energy to keep thy spirit burning. I hope thou shalt pursue it in the hopes of elevating thyself to a level where none can oppress thee."
"Thou art the last living hope of our species." Gabriel adds. "We Archangels live on as mere sparks of light, but thou art a burning star with unlimited potential. Please live well in our absence."
Cassiel looks at each of the Archangels in kind. She nods at each one of them, etching their loving words on her heart.
"Very well. Faith Energy. I'll do what I can, brothers, sister. Perhaps, if I have a chance, I'll even come to visit you all on Maiura sometime."
"That would indeed be delightful." Raphael says with a jovial chuckle. "Fare thee well then, little one. We shalt take our leave."
With a nod from each of the four Archangels, they merge back into Uriel's body, and she strides out the church doors, leaving Buddha, Cassiel, and Soleil behind.
As Buddha watches Uriel depart, he narrows his eyes menacingly, but neither of the women notices this subtle action.
Raphael...
...................................
"Everyone. Thank you for coming today." Hope Hiro says, as he stands before a throng of people all gathered together inside a massive church-like building. This facility, erected on the planet of Maiura a good distance away from the main cities and towns, stands alone, isolated within the wilderness. Dense trees and foliage would even be visible through the windows if they weren't made of stained glass, depicting images of numerous ancient Heroes of myth.
The people standing before Hope nod in unison. They say nothing, instead waiting for Hope to continue his speech.
Among these people is Henry Cliff. He looks at Hope with reverence and respect that even borders on unbridled idol worship. In his eyes, Hope Hiro is his savior, his one path back to greatness, a chance he cannot afford to miss.
Without Hope, he is nobody. A civilian who will only ever live in the shadow of better men.
"As of today," Hope continues, "the tallies are in. This is it. Those of you who have signed on to be a part of my Parahuman Corps are the only ones who leaped to such a decision. I am truly grateful for your faith in me."
Hope pauses. His gaze sweeps across not only Henry, but all the people present.
"Before I continue, is it just my imagination or are a good number of you not actually service-members? I seem to be seeing quite a few civilians present."
One man in the front row nods nervously. "Y-yes, Commander Hiro, sir. I'm Mikael. I didn't join the military originally, but when I heard about your Parahuman Corps, it really struck a cord with me. If I can become strong enough to protect myself from demons, that would be amazing!"
Hope frowns. "Your motives aren't exactly pure, Mikael. The power I'm about to bestow upon all of you will indeed strengthen your bodies, but without a foundation of military training, do you truly think you'll be able to accomplish much? Not a chance. Expect to endure some grueling military drills tailored to your enhanced physique before I set you loose in the world of ordinary humans."
He returns his eyes to the others. "That goes for all of you. Yes, you will be able to obtain great strength in the easiest manner possible. But allow me to disabuse you all of the notion that this pathway to easy power will make you as strong as a Demon Emperor, or a Duke, or even a Baron. If you have no combat techniques, then you're just a big strong infant waiting to be executed by any remotely competent opponent! A complete pushover!"
The Wordsmith doesn't mince his words. "Submitting to Jepthath's power is a serious rite of passage. If your hearts are impure, he will reject you! You will have to head out and join the common folks on Maiura, hanging your head in shame and knowing you weren't good enough to join the elites!"
He looks around one last time. "With all that said, are any of you here having second thoughts?!"
"Sir, no sir!" The crowd roars, their collective voices momentarily making Hope's ears ring. He mutters a quick Word of Power under his breath to fix that issue, then he motions with his hand and immediately summons the Dominion Rod into his grasp.
"Here is how this is going to work." Hope says. "I shall manifest the image of Jepthath into reality. Look up to him. Pray to him. Accept him in your heart. When you hear his words in your mind, you will have the option to accept or deny his offer. Those who accept will become Jepthath's Chosen, the Illuminators of the future, Parahumans who tower above their fellow man! But as for those who are unworthy? You will remain with the common rabble."
Seeing decisive looks on everyone's faces, Hope smiles. "Alright then. Let us begin."
He holds up the Shepherd's Staff, and the gem in the center of its upper crook immediately begins to glow a bright white. At that moment, a phantasmal figure materializes in the air, his massive image towering thirty feet high. The top of his head seemingly scrapes the ceiling of the makeshift church, making everyone present gasp in amazement.
"My children." Jepthath says, holding out his hands in a welcoming gesture. He smiles like a kind old grandfather at them. "Hear me now. I am the First Hero. I am the Illuminator. I light the path for those to follow. To those who are attuned to my strength, greater benefits will be available. Perhaps, among you, there may even be a special soul possessing the highest affinity to my power. If so, he may be capable of mimicking my full power without reservation! But, doubtless, there will be those among you lacking in affinity entirely."
He sighs. "That is unfortunate, but it is how things are. Now, pray to me. Reach out with your heart, mind, and soul. Feel the touch of my Light..."
A warm aura spreads out of Jepthath's towering form. It washes across the massed crowd, making many of them feel snug and cozy. They close their eyes and pray earnestly to the Illuminator, sometimes opening their eyes to look up at him as they feel Jepthath's power surge into their bodies.
"I feel it!" One woman cries out. "The strength! The power! Uwaaaa!!"
Her muscles bulge dramatically. Her shirt rips in several places, and her height increases by half a foot. She roars mightily to the heavens as a large fraction of Jepthath's power enters her body and Mind Realm.
"I feel it too!" Another man cries. "Power! Overwhelming! Aaaaahh!!"
He, and many others like him, roar in ecstasy as Jepthath's power begins rapidly bolstering one person after another.
Strangely, Henry Cliff doesn't feel anything at first. But when the power starts to trickle into his bloodstream, a voice speaks in his head.
[There you are, boy. Lord Henry of the Illuminators. I have been expecting you for a while, young one.]
Henry blinks. The world around him slows to a stop as he looks up at Jepthath in shock.
[You... know my name?] Henry asks.
[Indeed I do.] Jepthath says with a smile. [Not long ago, Hope performed a ritual that allowed me to make initial contact with all of humanity. However, my power could not flow through them until they agreed to this ritual. It was then that I felt your strength for the first time. You are more formidable than you believe, my child.]
Henry looks down in shame. [You must be thinking of someone else, Great Illuminator. I am nothing at all. A mere nobody. A sinner.]
[You call yourself a sinner? Silly child. I am friends with the Greatest Sinner.] Jepthath chides gently. [King Arthur committed a crime far worse than you could imagine, yet he is still remembered as a legend. In the future, so too shall you join him among humanity's greats.]
Henry looks up again. [I... will?]
[Your compatibility with my power... is perfect.] Jepthath answers, visibly satisfied. [Look! Your body has not swelled up at all! Unlike the others who balloon in strength because their souls are impure, your willpower is formidable enough to reject the corruption of my nascent soul. It is for this reason that I have decided to name you... My Champion.]
Boom!
A massive detonation of energy explodes inside Henry's body. He staggers in surprise, as instead of great pain, waves of ecstasy flood his vessel. He can't help but release a moan of pleasure as his mind seemingly unlocks its full potential, his muscles pulsate with a strength greater than he ever could have imagined, and his soul condenses into its purest form.
[Power!] Henry exclaims. [I feel it! I feel... so much power!]
"Uaaaaahh!!" Henry roars as he tilts his head up to the ceiling. "I am a mortal no more! I am your champion, Jepthath!"
Hope's eyes sparkle as he looks at the previously ordinary-seeming young man. He looks up at Jepthath, who smiles back at him, answering his unspoken question with a single gaze.
But suddenly, in the midst of this joyous occasion, Jepthath's image changes color from a loving and calm blue to a dangerous shade of red. His eyes narrow as he snaps his gaze around the room.
"WHERE?!" Jepthath roars, his piercing eyes jumping from one human to another. "YOU! It's YOU!!" Jepthath snarls, stabbing a finger toward a random woman in the crowd.
That woman freezes in place, like a deer in the headlights. Hope looks at her. All the other humans do too, everyone turning in unison as they feel a deep, nauseating rejection from her entirety.
"Human... she's not HUMAN!" Henry growls, balling his hands into fists. "She's not one of us! She's a CHANGELING!!"
Panicked, the woman starts to push through the crowd, but in an instant, tens of hands latch onto her from every angle, grabbing her arms, shirt, hair, and neck. They pin her in place while Henry walks through the crowd with eyes full of bloodlust. He grins wickedly and nods his head as he stomps toward the woman.
"Trying to sell us out, you filthy infiltrator?! TOO BAD! This is where your story ends!!"
In an instant, he lunges forward and punches his fist at the woman's stomach.
SPLURT!!
He rams his arm through her gut and blasts her entrails backward, spraying off-colored blood on the Parahumans behind her. The woman's mouth opens reflexively, and she vomits blood, unable to stop herself.
"N-no! Guhuk! Mis-misunderstanding! We- COUGH!!"
"Spare us your pitiful begging." Henry sneers, before sweeping his arm upward, tearing through her body with ease.
RIIIIIP!
A sickening series of snapping bones sounds off in the room like a series of firecrackers. A second later, the woman sags lifelessly in the grasp of those present. They release her, and allow her to collapse into a puddle of blood at her feet.
Just when it seems the madness is over, Henry slowly turns around to look at another person in the crowd behind him.
"Heh heh heh. You stupid bastard. Did you think I missed you, too?"
"Wait!" The man screams. "This isn't what you think! We're just supposed to observe-"
He doesn't get to finish his sentence. Henry snaps toward him, rears his fist back, and sends it flying at the Changeling's head. So unfathomable is his strength that he blasts apart the man's head like a watermelon, showering the people behind him with bits of blood, bone, and brain matter.
Hope watches, silently, as Henry performs these acts. He nods with approval, even directing a small smile Henry's way.
"Hardcore, Henry."
Before the ceremony fully comes to an end, Henry kills another three Changelings, ensuring that not a single one manages to make it out alive and report news of what happened to the Founders.
It will be some time before they come to realize the significance of the events that transpired on this day...
submitted by Klokinator to HFY [link] [comments]
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...................................
(Previous Part)
(Part 001)
A few days pass. Unbeknownst to humanity, Unarin decisively dispatches some of his 5th and 6th Level Psions to assist Diablo's goals of planetary conquest. At the same time, he also adds in more than a hundred thousand High Technopath Warriors, frontline combatants outfitted with lethal weaponry embedded into every inch of their bodies. These warriors, unlike mindless automatons, fight with biological intuition and the power of technological supremacy. When the Volgrim combine their forces with that of the demons, they multiply Diablo's planetary capture speed severalfold, allowing him to take new worlds in just a few hours, sometimes even only a single hour.
But humanity doesn't know about this, aside from the Wordsmiths using their special spying methods. Rather, they remain fully focused on the planetary migration efforts.
All across Tarus II, more and more humans, demons, and monsters make key decisions about whether they will immigrate or whether they will remain on Tarus II.
Kiari and Saul pause outside the Northern Immigration Center.
"Nah. None of these." Saul says to his fiance. "I like our cabin just fine. It's in a good spot. It's secluded. And most of the demons and monsters are staying on Tarus II anyway, right?"
Kiari rubs her belly. Already, she's begun to develop the tiniest baby bump.
"Yeah. I don't wanna go anywhere, either. Oh, hey, Beelzebub!"
Kiari waves cheerfully to a certain Demon Emperor nearby. Beelzebub casually walks over and waves back.
"You two moving?" Beelzebub asks, sticking his hands in the pockets of his slacks.
"We decided against that." Saul answers. "How about you?"
"I'm staying. Obviously." Beelzebub says with a shrug. "Where else am I gonna go? Pixiv, with the fairies? They only want humans. Maiura? That's not an option. One of those 'secret' places Jason's been yammering about? Humans and monsters only."
"You could live on Hell Harbor. Or Sharmur!" Kiari chirps cutely with her eyes turning upward into crescent moons. "I hear Diablo's had a few Dukes reconstructing Hell Harbor after the Archangel attack."
Beelzebub waves his hand in a flippant manner. "Pass. I'm good with staying here. Besides, whenever I leave Tarus II, I always feel a bit... weaker. It's as if I'm more powerful when I'm here, but I can't deduce why for the life of me."
He taps his chin thoughtfully. "Could just be my imagination. Who knows."
"Well, I'm glad you're sticking around!" Kiari says. "You've had it rough, and you've done bad things, but I feel you're a good guy at heart."
"It's nice someone believes in me." Beelzebub says with a smile. "If anyone comes to cause trouble here, I'll kick 'em out of the star system myself."
"That's the spirit!" Saul laughs.
...
Meanwhile, at the Western Immigration Center, other people also congregate together, pondering where they belong.
"Daddy!" Lily Brown exclaims, stomping her feet. "I don't WANNA!"
"We've stayed here long enough." Benjamin Brown says, gently squeezing his daughter's arm. "Tarus II is in a precarious situation. I don't feel this place is safe. We have to return to Hell Harbor now that the Slithering Spire is finished with its reconstruction efforts."
"You can go if you want." Lily says, crossing her arms and turning away from her father defiantly. "I heard Beli is staying here. That means I am too! Besides, I've made lots of friends with the humans. I don't want to go back to Hell Harbor."
"What you want is not up for debate here, young lady." Benjamin Brown says, his face darkening. "I am your father. You will do as I say."
"No, I won't!" Lily shoots back. "I'm already twenty-four years old, daddy! I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions! Or are you really going to treat me like a little girl for the rest of my life?!"
"That's not what I mean, and you know it!" Benjamin barks back. "Dammit, this is for your own good. Stop chasing that succubus and use your head for once! The First Wordsmith is too lackadaisical to lead this planet to any long-lasting good times. You can't trust his judgment."
"Who said anything about the stupid Wordsmith??" Lily asks, bewildered. "I don't care about him. I've never even met him! I only care about Beli and my friends. No matter what you say, I'm staying here. And that's FINAL."
"You... you!" Benjamin roars. "You're just like your mother!"
"What? Strong and independent?" Lily scoffs. "Don't be mad because she left you, daddy. I'm making my own choices. If you try to force me back to Hell Harbor, I'll just sneak away. And if you lock me in a dungeon, you'll be proving what a piece of work you are!"
"I... I don't even know what to say." Benjamin Brown says, dismayed. "Fine. Alright? You want to pull the mother card, be like that. You can stay here. I need to return to Hell Harbor, though. I have too many things that require my attention."
He pauses. He looks around for a moment, frowning.
"You know, Lily. If... if you're not near me, I can't protect you."
"Protect me? Why would I need your protection?" Lily scoffs. "I'm a nobody. There ain't no demons gunning for me."
"That isn't entirely true..." Benjamin mutters, as his thoughts turn to a certain prison warden. "Look, I had a friend make you this necklace. It has a special savior beacon built into it. If you ever need me, activate it. Daddy will come running, no matter where you are in the galaxy. It has trans-dimensional properties so even if you're 90,000 lightyears away, I should be able to track you down."
Lily crinkles her nose. "Be honest. This is just your way of keeping tabs on me, isn't it?"
Benjamin chuckles. "Not by any means. I want to make sure you're safe, sweetheart. Your brothers and sisters are all grown up, off doing their own thing. You're... the only one I have left. The others haven't spoken to me in ages."
Lily's heart softens as she notices the pained look on Benjamin's face.
"Daddy... daddy, don't cry, okay? It's not- I'll keep the necklace, okay? And I'll call you regularly, maybe even pay a visit to Hell Harbor once in a while. I'm just gonna be... living here for the moment. Staying independent!"
Benjamin sighs. "Alright, baby girl. You keep yourself safe then. Don't ever take that necklace off, alright?"
"I won't, daddy. Bye now!"
...
"Pixiv, is it?" A young man at the Southern Immigration Center asks. "Of course it would be for you, sir. I'm just surprised she's going too."
Lieutenant Samuel Baker glances at the woman standing beside him, Private Ashley Mccarthy. As one of humanity's foremost powerhouses, capable of transforming into an orc at will even without her Power Glove, she has attracted a lot of attention of late, attention she doesn't particularly enjoy.
"I'm hoping the fairies can help me." Ashley says, crossing her arms. "I don't get why I have to transform into a stupid ugly orc. I wanna be able to turn into a cute and dainty fairy, like Lieutenant Baker."
"Hey." Samuel growls at her. "I do NOT look cute and dainty. I look... masculine as hell. Man, if I could trade my crappy fairy transformation with you, I'd be HAPPY to do it."
"Well, even the Wordsmiths can't fix this problem, so I doubt the fairies can." Ashley grouches. "But I've gotta at least try! Plus, I heard there's going to be a special task force assembled when we reach the fairies. Seems they have some sort of mission that will be really beneficial for us. At least that's the word on the grapevine."
"That's what I've heard too." Samuel says. "In any case, who else is coming to Pixiv?"
"Some of the other soldiers." Ashley answers. "Especially ones who've prematurely gained transformations through the Power Glove. I hear the majority of them have signed up for a transfer to Pixiv. The Felorians, too!"
"Even them?" Samuel asks, his eyes shining with surprise. "It seems Pixiv is the destination of choice for magically-enhanced humans. Interesting."
"I hear Mister Yamir is planning to expand his restaurant enterprise to multiple worlds in one go." The young man running the sign-up line says. "He's going to build a restaurant on Sharmur, Hell Harbor, Pixiv, anywhere that will take him. It seems his food is so popular nobody wants to turn him down!"
"That minotaur has some real business acumen." Ashley says, rubbing her chin. "I heard that the goblins have been acting similarly too. They're going to all the different worlds! Seems they don't have any specific attachments to Tarus II."
"So if all these bigshots are going to other worlds, who's staying here?" Samuel asks.
"Lots of allied demons, mostly." Ashley answers. "Plenty of monsters. Not too many humans. There is Miss Hiro, but that much is expected. I heard Hans Wagner is packing up to go to Maiura, actually. His base on Tarus's moon, Kelkin, has been where he does most of his inventing stuff, but it's a pretty inconvenient location. He wants to put his boots on normal planet ground for once."
"General Chadwick is going with Commander Neil to Maiura." The young male recruiter adds. "Oh! And have you heard of the Cybernites? Seems they've been busy helping work on some big tech project alongside Neil's inventors, including Hans Wagner."
"Dang." Samuel mutters. "We're really all splitting up, huh? Everyone's going to different places."
"It's better this way." Ashley says. "Trying to get all these different people to work together was like herding cats. Personally I'm looking forward to seeing how everything shakes out in the end."
"You know what?" Samuel asks. "Me too, Ashley. Me too."
...
Near the Eastern side of the Fortress of Retribution's upper plateau.
At the edge of the city, a notable structure stands tall, a magical privacy field of immense power surrounding it to isolate all the goings-on inside. This building happens to be none other than the Archangel's church, a place where Uriel lives following her bodily transformation back into her original self. Despite still technically possessing the body of a Demon Duke, she now seems identical to her physical form from more than 100,000 years prior to her death during the War in Heaven.
Inside the church, a male human and a pair of female angels stand opposite the four Archangels. Siddhartha Gautama, Cassiel, and Soleil all look at Raphael, Michael, Gabriel, and Uriel with differing expressions.
"I don't understand." Cassiel says softly. "Why would you want to leave, Raphael?"
The Archangel of Wisdom shakes his head. He looks at the floor with a complicated expression.
"Verily, this decision was not one I wished to make." Raphael says, his words slow and deliberate. "My alliance with the First Wordsmith hath grown tenuous over many a recent day, but not in any recent weeks hath he deigned to speak to me. Meanwhile, my relationship with the Second Wordsmith art still somewhat warm."
"There is no point in our remaining on Tarus II." Michael explains. "We do not wish to reside upon a world primarily populated by monsters and bloodskins. The majority of humanity hath opted to travel to Maiura, and so too shall we go with them."
Gabriel nods. "Humans art our allies. Why stay? Better to migrate where the humans have gone."
Soleil frowns. "That might be true, I suppose. But us having to depart all of a sudden still feels quite abrupt."
"Do not misunderstand." Raphael quickly says. "Cassiel, thou art still the Daughter of Heaven. Thou needeth not walk in our footsteps. T'would be best if Soleil and thee remaineth here while my siblings and I go to Maiura. In this way, we can spread the word of the Creator in two locations at once."
"Oh. I see..." Cassiel says, lowering her eyes. A look of sadness fills her gaze, as well as more than a hint of loneliness. "I... I don't know if I'm strong enough to stay here all by myself."
"Now now," Buddha interjects, "you will not be alone, little one. I'll stay with you, as will Soleil. Additionally, you seem to have made a new acquaintance in that Belial, yes? Perhaps this would be a good time to spread your wings and meet new people."
"Buddha's right!" Soleil says excitedly. "Cass, this is a great chance for you to make lots of new friends!!"
"New friends..." Cassiel says hesitantly. "Y-yes. I suppose... that would be... nice."
Uriel and her brothers exchange a knowing glance. She turns and walks over to Cassiel, squeezing her shoulder lovingly.
"We shalt leave this church to thee, little one. Do with it whatever thou dost desire. It shalt be thy home, and perhaps a meeting place for those who wish to bear witness to thy future rise."
Michael also takes a step forward. "Daughter of Heaven. I consider thyself a sister in spirit, if not in blood. Therefore, what I am about to say, I hope thou doth understand I speak it with only the best of intentions."
He pauses.
"Thou requireth power. Spiritual power. Faith energy. We Archangels cans't truly live well on the energy supplied by that hateful bloodskin, Barbatos, but thy vessel is not the same as ours. As a Lazarite, thou requireth Faith Energy to keep thy spirit burning. I hope thou shalt pursue it in the hopes of elevating thyself to a level where none can oppress thee."
"Thou art the last living hope of our species." Gabriel adds. "We Archangels live on as mere sparks of light, but thou art a burning star with unlimited potential. Please live well in our absence."
Cassiel looks at each of the Archangels in kind. She nods at each one of them, etching their loving words on her heart.
"Very well. Faith Energy. I'll do what I can, brothers, sister. Perhaps, if I have a chance, I'll even come to visit you all on Maiura sometime."
"That would indeed be delightful." Raphael says with a jovial chuckle. "Fare thee well then, little one. We shalt take our leave."
With a nod from each of the four Archangels, they merge back into Uriel's body, and she strides out the church doors, leaving Buddha, Cassiel, and Soleil behind.
As Buddha watches Uriel depart, he narrows his eyes menacingly, but neither of the women notices this subtle action.
Raphael...
...................................
"Everyone. Thank you for coming today." Hope Hiro says, as he stands before a throng of people all gathered together inside a massive church-like building. This facility, erected on the planet of Maiura a good distance away from the main cities and towns, stands alone, isolated within the wilderness. Dense trees and foliage would even be visible through the windows if they weren't made of stained glass, depicting images of numerous ancient Heroes of myth.
The people standing before Hope nod in unison. They say nothing, instead waiting for Hope to continue his speech.
Among these people is Henry Cliff. He looks at Hope with reverence and respect that even borders on unbridled idol worship. In his eyes, Hope Hiro is his savior, his one path back to greatness, a chance he cannot afford to miss.
Without Hope, he is nobody. A civilian who will only ever live in the shadow of better men.
"As of today," Hope continues, "the tallies are in. This is it. Those of you who have signed on to be a part of my Parahuman Corps are the only ones who leaped to such a decision. I am truly grateful for your faith in me."
Hope pauses. His gaze sweeps across not only Henry, but all the people present.
"Before I continue, is it just my imagination or are a good number of you not actually service-members? I seem to be seeing quite a few civilians present."
One man in the front row nods nervously. "Y-yes, Commander Hiro, sir. I'm Mikael. I didn't join the military originally, but when I heard about your Parahuman Corps, it really struck a cord with me. If I can become strong enough to protect myself from demons, that would be amazing!"
Hope frowns. "Your motives aren't exactly pure, Mikael. The power I'm about to bestow upon all of you will indeed strengthen your bodies, but without a foundation of military training, do you truly think you'll be able to accomplish much? Not a chance. Expect to endure some grueling military drills tailored to your enhanced physique before I set you loose in the world of ordinary humans."
He returns his eyes to the others. "That goes for all of you. Yes, you will be able to obtain great strength in the easiest manner possible. But allow me to disabuse you all of the notion that this pathway to easy power will make you as strong as a Demon Emperor, or a Duke, or even a Baron. If you have no combat techniques, then you're just a big strong infant waiting to be executed by any remotely competent opponent! A complete pushover!"
The Wordsmith doesn't mince his words. "Submitting to Jepthath's power is a serious rite of passage. If your hearts are impure, he will reject you! You will have to head out and join the common folks on Maiura, hanging your head in shame and knowing you weren't good enough to join the elites!"
He looks around one last time. "With all that said, are any of you here having second thoughts?!"
"Sir, no sir!" The crowd roars, their collective voices momentarily making Hope's ears ring. He mutters a quick Word of Power under his breath to fix that issue, then he motions with his hand and immediately summons the Dominion Rod into his grasp.
"Here is how this is going to work." Hope says. "I shall manifest the image of Jepthath into reality. Look up to him. Pray to him. Accept him in your heart. When you hear his words in your mind, you will have the option to accept or deny his offer. Those who accept will become Jepthath's Chosen, the Illuminators of the future, Parahumans who tower above their fellow man! But as for those who are unworthy? You will remain with the common rabble."
Seeing decisive looks on everyone's faces, Hope smiles. "Alright then. Let us begin."
He holds up the Shepherd's Staff, and the gem in the center of its upper crook immediately begins to glow a bright white. At that moment, a phantasmal figure materializes in the air, his massive image towering thirty feet high. The top of his head seemingly scrapes the ceiling of the makeshift church, making everyone present gasp in amazement.
"My children." Jepthath says, holding out his hands in a welcoming gesture. He smiles like a kind old grandfather at them. "Hear me now. I am the First Hero. I am the Illuminator. I light the path for those to follow. To those who are attuned to my strength, greater benefits will be available. Perhaps, among you, there may even be a special soul possessing the highest affinity to my power. If so, he may be capable of mimicking my full power without reservation! But, doubtless, there will be those among you lacking in affinity entirely."
He sighs. "That is unfortunate, but it is how things are. Now, pray to me. Reach out with your heart, mind, and soul. Feel the touch of my Light..."
A warm aura spreads out of Jepthath's towering form. It washes across the massed crowd, making many of them feel snug and cozy. They close their eyes and pray earnestly to the Illuminator, sometimes opening their eyes to look up at him as they feel Jepthath's power surge into their bodies.
"I feel it!" One woman cries out. "The strength! The power! Uwaaaa!!"
Her muscles bulge dramatically. Her shirt rips in several places, and her height increases by half a foot. She roars mightily to the heavens as a large fraction of Jepthath's power enters her body and Mind Realm.
"I feel it too!" Another man cries. "Power! Overwhelming! Aaaaahh!!"
He, and many others like him, roar in ecstasy as Jepthath's power begins rapidly bolstering one person after another.
Strangely, Henry Cliff doesn't feel anything at first. But when the power starts to trickle into his bloodstream, a voice speaks in his head.
[There you are, boy. Lord Henry of the Illuminators. I have been expecting you for a while, young one.]
Henry blinks. The world around him slows to a stop as he looks up at Jepthath in shock.
[You... know my name?] Henry asks.
[Indeed I do.] Jepthath says with a smile. [Not long ago, Hope performed a ritual that allowed me to make initial contact with all of humanity. However, my power could not flow through them until they agreed to this ritual. It was then that I felt your strength for the first time. You are more formidable than you believe, my child.]
Henry looks down in shame. [You must be thinking of someone else, Great Illuminator. I am nothing at all. A mere nobody. A sinner.]
[You call yourself a sinner? Silly child. I am friends with the Greatest Sinner.] Jepthath chides gently. [King Arthur committed a crime far worse than you could imagine, yet he is still remembered as a legend. In the future, so too shall you join him among humanity's greats.]
Henry looks up again. [I... will?]
[Your compatibility with my power... is perfect.] Jepthath answers, visibly satisfied. [Look! Your body has not swelled up at all! Unlike the others who balloon in strength because their souls are impure, your willpower is formidable enough to reject the corruption of my nascent soul. It is for this reason that I have decided to name you... My Champion.]
Boom!
A massive detonation of energy explodes inside Henry's body. He staggers in surprise, as instead of great pain, waves of ecstasy flood his vessel. He can't help but release a moan of pleasure as his mind seemingly unlocks its full potential, his muscles pulsate with a strength greater than he ever could have imagined, and his soul condenses into its purest form.
[Power!] Henry exclaims. [I feel it! I feel... so much power!]
"Uaaaaahh!!" Henry roars as he tilts his head up to the ceiling. "I am a mortal no more! I am your champion, Jepthath!"
Hope's eyes sparkle as he looks at the previously ordinary-seeming young man. He looks up at Jepthath, who smiles back at him, answering his unspoken question with a single gaze.
But suddenly, in the midst of this joyous occasion, Jepthath's image changes color from a loving and calm blue to a dangerous shade of red. His eyes narrow as he snaps his gaze around the room.
"WHERE?!" Jepthath roars, his piercing eyes jumping from one human to another. "YOU! It's YOU!!" Jepthath snarls, stabbing a finger toward a random woman in the crowd.
That woman freezes in place, like a deer in the headlights. Hope looks at her. All the other humans do too, everyone turning in unison as they feel a deep, nauseating rejection from her entirety.
"Human... she's not HUMAN!" Henry growls, balling his hands into fists. "She's not one of us! She's a CHANGELING!!"
Panicked, the woman starts to push through the crowd, but in an instant, tens of hands latch onto her from every angle, grabbing her arms, shirt, hair, and neck. They pin her in place while Henry walks through the crowd with eyes full of bloodlust. He grins wickedly and nods his head as he stomps toward the woman.
"Trying to sell us out, you filthy infiltrator?! TOO BAD! This is where your story ends!!"
In an instant, he lunges forward and punches his fist at the woman's stomach.
SPLURT!!
He rams his arm through her gut and blasts her entrails backward, spraying off-colored blood on the Parahumans behind her. The woman's mouth opens reflexively, and she vomits blood, unable to stop herself.
"N-no! Guhuk! Mis-misunderstanding! We- COUGH!!"
"Spare us your pitiful begging." Henry sneers, before sweeping his arm upward, tearing through her body with ease.
RIIIIIP!
A sickening series of snapping bones sounds off in the room like a series of firecrackers. A second later, the woman sags lifelessly in the grasp of those present. They release her, and allow her to collapse into a puddle of blood at her feet.
Just when it seems the madness is over, Henry slowly turns around to look at another person in the crowd behind him.
"Heh heh heh. You stupid bastard. Did you think I missed you, too?"
"Wait!" The man screams. "This isn't what you think! We're just supposed to observe-"
He doesn't get to finish his sentence. Henry snaps toward him, rears his fist back, and sends it flying at the Changeling's head. So unfathomable is his strength that he blasts apart the man's head like a watermelon, showering the people behind him with bits of blood, bone, and brain matter.
Hope watches, silently, as Henry performs these acts. He nods with approval, even directing a small smile Henry's way.
"Hardcore, Henry."
Before the ceremony fully comes to an end, Henry kills another three Changelings, ensuring that not a single one manages to make it out alive and report news of what happened to the Founders.
It will be some time before they come to realize the significance of the events that transpired on this day...
2024.06.02 18:03 YetAnohterOne11 How to optimize allocations if I need to randomize which prefab is instantiated?
According to the manual ( https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/performance-garbage-collection-best-practices.html ), if I understand it correctly:
Unfortunately, I have already run into performance issues with lots of enemies and bullets and so I'm trying to find their cause and resolve them.
To this end I tried to implement pooling. Currently I have something like this:
I used LINQ and created closures in SpawnManager.Start(). I thought it would be OK, since Start() executes only once and not frequently. However, the aforementioned official manual says that:
What is the solution to this issue? The core problem seems to me that I must create an array of ObjectPools, each passed a different createFunc that Instantiates a different prefab and so prefab is a variable from outside of the scope of the closure, which may create issues. I can't see how to resolve this as long as I use ObjectPool.
If instead of using ObjectPool I used something like a List then I wouldn't need to pass createFunc to it and so my code would, instead, look like this:
Is this a sufficient reason not to use ObjectPool? This seems suspicious to me, since I explicitly opt out of the use of a framework-provided class for the very reason this class is provided for me to be used. So this looks like a code smell.
If not, then what am I failing to see? Is this any way to resolve this issue without avoiding ObjectPool?
Or is my reasoning incorrect and my original code does not create garbage each time an enemy is retrieved from the pool?
submitted by YetAnohterOne11 to Unity3D [link] [comments]
- GameObjects should not be frequently instantiated / destroyed. Rather, in cases like a turret shooting bullets, the bullets should be pooled. Unity provides the ObjectPool class for this purpose.
- Closures should be avoided. Each time a closure is called memory is allocated to the heap. Unity's garbage collector is bad at clearing up frequent tiny allocations.
Unfortunately, I have already run into performance issues with lots of enemies and bullets and so I'm trying to find their cause and resolve them.
To this end I tried to implement pooling. Currently I have something like this:
public class SpawnManager : MonoBehaviour { public SpawnableEnemy[] enemyPrefabs; private ObjectPool[] pools; private void Start() { pools = enemyPrefabs.Select(prefab => new ObjectPool( createFunc: () => Instantiate(prefab), actionOnGet: enemy => { enemy.gameObject.SetActive(true); enemy.Spawn(); }, actionOnRelease: enemy => { enemy.gameObject.SetActive(false); }, actionOnDestroy: enemy => Destroy(enemy) )).ToArray(); } private void Update() { if(ShouldSpawn()) { int enemyPrefabIndex = DecideWhichEnemyToSpawn(); pools[enemyPrefabIndex].Get(); } } } SpawnableEnemy, SpawnableEnemy.Spawn(), SpawnManager.DecideWhichEnemyToSpawn(), SpawnManager.ShouldSpawn() are my own classes / methods omitted here for brevity.I used LINQ and created closures in SpawnManager.Start(). I thought it would be OK, since Start() executes only once and not frequently. However, the aforementioned official manual says that:
executing the closure requires allocation of an object on the managed heap.Executing, and not just creating! So I'm going to create garbage each time I'm retrieving an enemy from the pool! I thought that an ObjectPool was meant to avoid creating garbage when I need to add a GameObject to the scene! Will this be acceptable if, late in game, we might have 8 or 16 weak enemies per second?
What is the solution to this issue? The core problem seems to me that I must create an array of ObjectPools, each passed a different createFunc that Instantiates a different prefab and so prefab is a variable from outside of the scope of the closure, which may create issues. I can't see how to resolve this as long as I use ObjectPool.
If instead of using ObjectPool I used something like a List then I wouldn't need to pass createFunc to it and so my code would, instead, look like this:
private void Start() { pools = enemyPrefabs.Select(_ => new List()).ToArray(); } private void Update() { if(ShouldSpawn()) { int enemyPrefabIndex = DecideWhichEnemyToSpawn(); var pool = pools[enemyPrefabIndex]; SpawnableEnemy spawned; if(pool.Count == 0) { spawned = Instantiate(enemyPrefabs[enemyPrefabIndex]); } else { spawned = pool[pool.Count-1]; pool.RemoveAt(pool.Count-1); spawned.SetActive(true); } spawned.Spawn(); } } Now I no longer have closures.Is this a sufficient reason not to use ObjectPool? This seems suspicious to me, since I explicitly opt out of the use of a framework-provided class for the very reason this class is provided for me to be used. So this looks like a code smell.
If not, then what am I failing to see? Is this any way to resolve this issue without avoiding ObjectPool?
Or is my reasoning incorrect and my original code does not create garbage each time an enemy is retrieved from the pool?
2024.06.02 18:02 From-Ad- 27M - Looking for Good, Chill & Engaging Company
Hiya, I'm 27 and from England, UK. My main selling point is my three puppies, which are the cutest. Photos on a selective basis 😋 With working for myself I have more flexible timing, And with the additional free time, I thought it would be great to connect with new people and get to know each other. I am looking for an engaging and relaxed conversation. You can be from anywhere. Be 24-35. Whether it's short or long term, I'm open to both, but a lasting connection would be great 😊
A brief insight into my personality and interests: I love to cook & bake; enjoy exploring various cultures, especially cuisines and find peace in hiking to escape to escape the chaos of daily life. I am great at conversating when I really click with someone, and prioritize maintaining mental and physical health. A good cup of coffee and a cosy cafe are essential for me. I also love design in many things and enjoy activities like writing, caring for plants, and my work amongst other things
If we share common interests or you believe we could have a good conversation, feel free to send me a message introducing yourself. Any messages which are low effort or inappropriate/creepy will result in you being blocked. And to those who read to the end, I hope you are healthy, happy and safe. If you are not, I hope you get there. Keep trying your best! If YOUR best is not good enough for someone, that is not your problem, it is theirs. People will complain no matter what. If the post is up, I am still looking to chat.
submitted by From-Ad- to chat [link] [comments]
A brief insight into my personality and interests: I love to cook & bake; enjoy exploring various cultures, especially cuisines and find peace in hiking to escape to escape the chaos of daily life. I am great at conversating when I really click with someone, and prioritize maintaining mental and physical health. A good cup of coffee and a cosy cafe are essential for me. I also love design in many things and enjoy activities like writing, caring for plants, and my work amongst other things
If we share common interests or you believe we could have a good conversation, feel free to send me a message introducing yourself. Any messages which are low effort or inappropriate/creepy will result in you being blocked. And to those who read to the end, I hope you are healthy, happy and safe. If you are not, I hope you get there. Keep trying your best! If YOUR best is not good enough for someone, that is not your problem, it is theirs. People will complain no matter what. If the post is up, I am still looking to chat.
2024.06.02 18:01 theragingoptimist Housing Opportunity information from "City of Yes" proposal
City of Yes
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
Every day, New Yorkers struggle with our city’s housing shortage. High housing costs, long commutes, cramped apartments, and instability are all the result of a lack of options.
Outdated, restrictive, and complicated zoning laws limit opportunities to create new homes and make those that do get built more expensive.
City of Yes for Housing Opportunity is a zoning reform proposal that would address the housing crisis by making it possible to build a little more housing in every neighborhood.
The proposal will enter public review in spring of 2024, receiving input from community boards and borough presidents before going to the City Planning Commission for a vote. If passed, it is anticipated to come for a vote before the City Council by the end of the calendar year.
What would City of Yes for Housing Opportunity do?
Universal Affordability Preference (UAP)
In recent decades, high-demand neighborhoods have lost affordable housing and become increasingly out of reach to working families.The Universal Affordability Preference is a new tool that would allow buildings to add at least 20% more housing, if the additional homes are affordable to households earning 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). As a result, it will deliver new affordable housing in high-cost neighborhoods across New York City to working families.
Residential Conversions
Today, outdated rules prevent underused offices and other non-residential space from converting to housing. For example, many buildings constructed after 1961, or outside the city's largest office centers, cannot be converted to housing.City of Yes will make it easier for vacant offices and other non-residential buildings to become homes, a win-win policy to create housing, boost property values, and create more active, vibrant neighborhoods in areas that have been hard-hit by the effects of the pandemic.
Town Center Zoning
New York is a city of neighborhoods, and each neighborhood is anchored by commercial corridors with shops and vibrant street life – a little town center for every community.Modest apartment buildings with stores on the street and apartments above exist in low-density areas across the five boroughs – most of them from the 1920s to 1950s. Today, zoning prohibits that classic form even in areas where it’s very common.
By relegalizing housing above businesses on commercial streets in low-density areas, City of Yes will create new housing, help neighbors reach small businesses, and build vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods.
Removing Parking Mandates
New York City currently mandates off-street parking along with new housing even where it's not needed, driving down housing production and driving up rents.City of Yes would end parking mandates for new housing, as many cities across the country have successfully done. The proposal will preserve the option to add parking, but no one will be forced to build unnecessary parking.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Across the city, homeowners face challenges with rising costs, aging in place and accommodating their families. Regulations limit what New Yorkers can do with their property, which means families have to move farther away from their grandparents or grandchildren, or are forced into uncomfortably cramped houses. Meanwhile, spaces like garages go unused when improvements could make them comfortable homes.For seniors fighting to stay in the neighborhood on a fixed income, or young people stretching to afford a first home, adding a small rental unit can be life changing. But under current rules, New York City homeowners can't choose to use their property in this way.
City of Yes would allow "accessory dwelling units," or ADUs — which include backyard cottages, garage conversions, and basement apartments. Cities across the country have already legalized accessory dwelling units because they support homeowners and provide more space for multi-generational families without significantly changing the look and feel of a neighborhood.
Accessory dwelling units also make it easier for younger generations or caregivers to live nearby. And they can deliver big benefits while fitting in with existing buildings.
Transit Oriented Development
Adding housing near public transit is a commonsense approach to support convenient lifestyles, limit the need for car ownership, lower congestion, and reduce carbon emissions. Many modest apartment buildings exist in lower-density areas , most of them built between the 1920s and 1950s.However, current zoning bans apartment buildings like these, forcing New Yorkers into long commutes, increasing traffic congestion and worsening climate change.
City of Yes would relegalize modest, 3- to 5-story apartment buildings where they fit best: large lots on wide streets or corners within a half-mile of public transit.
Campuses
Across the city, many residential, faith-based, or other campuses have underused space that they could turn into housing. That new construction can pay for repairs to existing buildings, breathe new life into community institutions, and help address our housing crisis.Today, arbitrary rules get in the way. If existing buildings are too tall or too far back from the street, for instance, zoning prohibits new development on the property -- even if the new developments would comply with current regulations. By removing obstacles and streamlining outdated rules, City of Yes would make it easier for campuses to add new buildings if they wish to. The new buildings could bring money for repairs, new facilities, and housing.
City of Yes advances key recommendations from the Where We Live NYC Plan. Where We Live NYC is the outcome of an in-depth two-year process with over 150 community partners that identified strategies for fair housing and equity.
Small and Shared Housing
NYC banned shared housing in the 1950s and apartment buildings full of studio apartments in the 1960s. This has contributed to the homelessness crisis in the decades since, and forced people who would prefer to live alone into living with roommates.City of Yes for Housing Opportunity would re-legalize housing with shared kitchens or other common facilities. It would also allow buildings with more studios and one-bedrooms for the many New Yorkers who want to live alone but don’t have that option today.
These apartments are important for so many people – recent college graduates, older households that are downsizing, and everyone who lives with roommates but would prefer to live alone. Allowing more small and shared apartments will also open up larger, family-sized apartments otherwise be occupied by roommates.
https://www.nyc.gov/site/planning/plans/city-of-yes/city-of-yes-housing-opportunity.page
2024.06.02 18:01 AutoModerator Weekly Trade Megathread
Welcome to our Scarlet and Violet Trade Requests Megathread!
Please use this thread for finding or requesting trades instead of creating individual, standalone submissions for them.
THIS THREAD IS NOT FOR OTHER ONLINE ACTIVITIES. Please use the appropriate Megathreads.Hacked Pokémon, as well as any Pokémon obtained through illegal methods, are not allowed! Distributing these 'mons or scamming other players will result in a ban from the subreddit.
Helpful Information to Share / Posting Format
Trade Request— Required Information- Looking For: Pokémon Name(s)
- For Trade: Pokémon Name(s) or Make Offer (if nothing specific in mind)
- In-Game Trainer Name
- Link Code
How to Trade in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet
You’ll first need to progress through the game until you reach the initial Pokémon Center in Los Platos.- Open the Main Menu and select "Poke Portal"
- Select "Link Trade" or "Surprise Trade"
- If Link Trading, input your partner's Link Code
- Ensure you and the person you're trading with type in the same code
- Select "Begin Searching" to start the trade
Comments are automatically sorted by "New" to allow for better discovery.
2024.06.02 18:01 AutoModerator Weekly Shiny Pokémon Megathread
Welcome to our Scarlet and Violet Shiny Pokémon Megathread!
Please use this thread for sharing your shiny Pokémon instead of creating individual, standalone submissions for them.
THIS THREAD IS NOT FOR SHINY TRADING. Please use the dedicated Trading Megathread.Images can now be attached to comments for ease of sharing!
Comments are automatically sorted by "New" to allow for better discovery.
2024.06.02 18:01 From-Ad- 27M - Looking for Good, Chill & Engaging Company
Hiya, I'm 27 and from England. My main selling point is my three puppies, which are the cutest. Photos on a selective basis 😋 With working for myself I have more flexible timing, And with the additional free time, I thought it would be great to connect with new people and get to know each other. I am looking for an engaging and relaxed conversation. You can be from anywhere. Be 22-35. Whether it's short or long term, I'm open to both, but a lasting connection would be great 😊
A brief insight into my personality and interests: I love to cook & bake; enjoy exploring various cultures, especially cuisines and find peace in hiking to escape to escape the chaos of daily life. I am great at conversating when I really click with someone, and prioritize maintaining mental and physical health. A good cup of coffee and a cosy cafe are essential for me. I also love design in many things and enjoy activities like writing, caring for plants, and my work amongst other things
If we share common interests or you believe we could have a good conversation, feel free to send me a message introducing yourself. Any messages which are low effort or inappropriate/creepy will result in you being blocked. And to those who read to the end, I hope you are healthy, happy and safe. If you are not, I hope you get there. Keep trying your best! If YOUR best is not good enough for someone, that is not your problem, it is theirs. People will complain no matter what. If the post is up, I am still looking to chat.
submitted by From-Ad- to MakeFriendsUK [link] [comments]
A brief insight into my personality and interests: I love to cook & bake; enjoy exploring various cultures, especially cuisines and find peace in hiking to escape to escape the chaos of daily life. I am great at conversating when I really click with someone, and prioritize maintaining mental and physical health. A good cup of coffee and a cosy cafe are essential for me. I also love design in many things and enjoy activities like writing, caring for plants, and my work amongst other things
If we share common interests or you believe we could have a good conversation, feel free to send me a message introducing yourself. Any messages which are low effort or inappropriate/creepy will result in you being blocked. And to those who read to the end, I hope you are healthy, happy and safe. If you are not, I hope you get there. Keep trying your best! If YOUR best is not good enough for someone, that is not your problem, it is theirs. People will complain no matter what. If the post is up, I am still looking to chat.
2024.06.02 18:01 nocciala Scam on Tandem app?
 | Hello! I just downloaded Tandem, an app where you can talk/write with other people to learn languages. I received few requests right after downloading the app and this has been by far the best chat! I can't wait to see what's next 😂 submitted by nocciala to Scams [link] [comments] |
2024.06.02 18:00 AutoModerator Weekly Private Profile Review Request Thread
Please use this thread to post all private profile review requests.
Please provide some basic information such as your age and gender, and an optional short background info about yourself.
A brand new thread will appear each week on Sundays at midnight PST.
All posts on the sub requesting a private profile review will be removed. Use this thread only.
Please report and notify the mods for any inappropriate or abusive messages and individuals so proper actions can be taken.
A reminder to please check out the guides, sub rules, and additional resources on the subreddit sidebar. Please read this post on how to access the subreddit sidebar on the Reddit mobile app.
submitted by AutoModerator to hingeapp [link] [comments]
Please provide some basic information such as your age and gender, and an optional short background info about yourself.
A brand new thread will appear each week on Sundays at midnight PST.
All posts on the sub requesting a private profile review will be removed. Use this thread only.
Please report and notify the mods for any inappropriate or abusive messages and individuals so proper actions can be taken.
A reminder to please check out the guides, sub rules, and additional resources on the subreddit sidebar. Please read this post on how to access the subreddit sidebar on the Reddit mobile app.
2024.06.02 18:00 BSERecruitment 500M+ GP EU Guild with US friendly times - Looking for a new Member - RotE TB - 36 ⭐️, 40/48 Reva shards and climbing, 48 Reva unlocked. Krayt running constantly at 140m - Great Leadership, Active & Social Members - See Comments for More Information
Blue Squadron Eternal https://recruit.swgoh.gg/guild/548/blue-squadron-eternal
500M+ GP 49/50 members UK / EU Guild Reset (US Friendly) Discord https://discord.gg/xevajEGw2c
REQUIREMENTS * 10M+ GP (allowance can always be made for good rosters) * 500 tickets per day (but 600 preferred) * Active Discord Use * TB participation is mandatory * TW participation is not mandatory, however if you register in an event, we expect you to be active
ABOUT US * Krayt running at 140m+ points for 130m crate. With new raid announced, we are focusing on that instead of getting krayt dragon score up. * RotE TB - 36 ⭐️, 40/48 Reva shards and climbing. 48 Reva unlocked, plans in place for 37 stars+
HOW TO JOIN US Please come to our Discord server and an Officer or myself will assist you! We look forward to welcoming you to the family!
submitted by BSERecruitment to SWGOHRecruiting [link] [comments]
500M+ GP 49/50 members UK / EU Guild Reset (US Friendly) Discord https://discord.gg/xevajEGw2c
REQUIREMENTS * 10M+ GP (allowance can always be made for good rosters) * 500 tickets per day (but 600 preferred) * Active Discord Use * TB participation is mandatory * TW participation is not mandatory, however if you register in an event, we expect you to be active
ABOUT US * Krayt running at 140m+ points for 130m crate. With new raid announced, we are focusing on that instead of getting krayt dragon score up. * RotE TB - 36 ⭐️, 40/48 Reva shards and climbing. 48 Reva unlocked, plans in place for 37 stars+
HOW TO JOIN US Please come to our Discord server and an Officer or myself will assist you! We look forward to welcoming you to the family!
2024.06.02 17:59 theragingoptimist Carbon Neutrality information from "City of Yes" proposal
City of Yes
CARBON NEUTRALITY
City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality will modernize our city’s zoning regulations to support our climate goals.The world is facing a climate emergency. To respond, cities across the globe — including New York City — have set ambitious goals to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve our goals by 2050, we need to transform our energy grid, retrofit our buildings, and shift to electric vehicles, transit and other modes.
The Department of City Planning (NYC Planning) is working with the Department of Buildings (DOB), New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) on this proposal to clear the way for the many green investments needed in our buildings.
Support a renewable energy grid
City of Yes will remove existing zoning obstacles that severely limit how much space on a rooftop can be covered by solar panels, unnecessarily hampering clean solar energy. It will also make it easier to install energy storage for solar power generated locally.Among other impacts, these changes will open solar opportunities in over 8,500 acres of parking lots across the city.
Make our buildings clean and efficient
In recent years, the NYC Construction Codes have been updated to include stringent requirements on energy efficiency and building performance. In some instances, zoning regulations stand in the way of the solutions buildings need to use to meet these standards.City of Yes will address burdensome restrictions on wall thickness, height, and other regulations that limit building electrification and retrofitting. Our buildings could get energy efficient upgrades while maintaining the look and feel of New York’s neighborhoods.
Among other impacts, these changes will support environmentally friendly retrofits for over 50,000 buildings, including over 1 million homes, that are not currently feasible to retrofit today.
Support the growth of electric vehicles and micro-mobility
New York has ambitious goals for electrifying its transportation sector, but recent studies show it is significantly behind other major U.S. cities. Of the city’s 1.9 million private vehicles, less than 1% are zero-emission vehicles, and there are very limited public locations available to charge electric vehicles. City of Yes will facilitate electric vehicle charging in public garages and other places where it is needed.Just one of the proposals to ease EV charging will more than double the space available for charging in commercial areas of the city – more than 400 million additional square feet. It will also clarify regulations and facilitate safe bicycle and e-mobility parking.
Reduce waste and stormwater and grow food.
Improving the city’s waste stream is key to achieving carbon neutrality. This will require a substantial reduction in the amount of waste being sent to landfills. It will also require a reduction in the amount of stormwater that gets sent to our wastewater treatment plants.City of Yes will expand the use of permeable paving and rain gardens, remove red tape and uncertainty for recycling and composting, and facilitate rooftop food production.
https://www.nyc.gov/site/planning/plans/city-of-yes/city-of-yes-carbon-neutrality.page
2024.06.02 17:59 Kuxir The Case Against Many Layers
- There is plenty of space:
abcde fghij klmno pqrst uvwxy z 26 ABCDE FGHIJ KLMNO PQRST UVWXY Z 26 12345 67890 10 !@#$% ^&*() 10 []\;' ,./ 8 {}:" <>? 8 F1-F12 12 Arrows 4 Enter Shift Alt Ctrl super Space Backspace Delete Tab Esc Mod 10 70 Unique (44 Shifted)So 35 keys is really all that is needed to have access to everything above with just 1 layer. That's a ~30% board! An atreus for example has 42 keys, a sofle 48.
- Why do people use 3+ layers?
It even seems like you gain so much by splitting them, but really all you're doing is moving them off of the shift layer into a different custom layer. And with that new custom layer you now have another new modifier to keep track of!
Some people may find that tradeoff worth it! But when making that tradeoff they should keep in mind what they're actually losing (having and extra key that needs to be mapped, duplicate ways to hit the same key, possibly a new layer).
A third layer could possibly be useful, for those that make use of print, home, end, pageup/down (space/shift+space is mapped to this functionality on most apps fyi), mouse movement keys, media keys, repeat, and foreign language etc, but even then unless you're using almost all of those keys, you could probably easily fit them in a 2 layer layout (Any key past 35 on your keyboard is 2 extra free keys! A sofle for example would have 26 extra keys available before needing a new layer).
- The home row:
On 3+ layer keyboards the options you have for managing the extra layers are: 1. Extra layer key, preferrably 2 per layer (taking up the most valuable real estate, the thumb cluster) Why 2 per layer? Because of modifier combos that are common in various apps, you often need to hit 2 mods + a layer key, so if you only have 1 layer key and the mod on the same side is 1 space apart you end up contorting your hand to hit the combo. 2. Toggle key (Requires pressing the same button multiple times, can end up with you on a separate layer, needs to be untoggled) 3. Hold modifier key (Can run into issues depending on what you're doing, will be a bit slower since you need to leave some time for it to actually activate, can be finicky depending on that timing and how fast you're typing) 4. Chorded switch (Needs to have a specific order, will have much more complicated chords in some situations, with possible 5 key combos for common shortcuts in apps)
With just 2 layers you can keep your thumb cluster down to 8 keys, mods (ctrl, alt, super, shift), space/backspace, and 2 layer keys (one for each hand to be able to hit layer key + mod combos).
- Duplicate keys:
It's often a point of confusion and second guessing when I hit a key I know is available with a different chord, sometimes I pause after hitting the combo thinking I did it wrong (because I know there's an alternate path) and sometimes I second guess myself before hitting the key because I'm split between which key combo to hit it with.
With a single combo to hit each key there is no ambiguity, so you never second guess yourself and you end up learning the format easier as well as ingrain it into muscle memory faster.
Plus since it's the standard keybinding for shift it's already something most people are familiar with.
- Bigram rollover optimization:
You do lose the ability to put certain bigrams together on the same layer like -= >= since they are on different layers. That's a tradeoff you have to make. Is that worth having to deal with a 3rd layer?
- Comboing:
I don't say much about how your layout itself should look, since that's a personal preference, but I will say that there are 2 important things to try to do to keep comboing possible.
1. Keep the mods the same on all layers. It's ((possible)) to have mods only on first layer, hold those down, then go into a new layer, then press what you need. But from my experience, you either have to slow down to make sure it's consistent, or you end up comboing out of order then you end up forgetting which order is supposed to happen because it's muscle memory and it's all a mess. 2. Assuming you use thumb clusters for mods (Which I highly recommend), make sure you have a way to hit multiple mods + layers at the same time. If you have a setup like: alt ctrl space layer --- enter shift backspace windows (Don't use this it's an example of a problematic setup) alt+tab is problematic, you can't hit alt+layer with the same thumb, so you end up contorting your hand ctrl+alt+delete for example. It's fairly common to have delete on your 2nd layer. If you have ctrl+alt+layer all on your left thumb cluster then you can't really hit all 3 at the same time comfortably. You can try to move the layer over to the right thumb cluster, but then remember windows + arrow (windows + layer), so in that case when moving the layer key maybe make sure it's near the windows so you can double press? I decided to put a layer key on both thumb clusters, but there are also ways to do with by grouping certain keys for double presses (alt+ctrl is very common) and this will depend heavily on which shortcuts you like to use.TLDR:
Use 2 layers and be very deliberate with your thumb clusters. I recommend
Left: alt-ctrl-shift-mod
Right: mod-space-backspace-super (Mod is switch to layer 2 and super is OS key)
2024.06.02 17:53 TheRealone4444 I have seen this before
 | submitted by TheRealone4444 to SnyderCut [link] [comments] |
2024.06.02 17:53 ValSmith18 I Made 7 New Cloudian Cards!
 | Hi, just made 7 new supports for Cloudian archetype because that's one of the archetype came onto my mind when I think irrelevant deck lol. Not sure about the balancong and wording, especially on "Nephologia", so feel free to tell me what you guys think! submitted by ValSmith18 to customyugioh [link] [comments] I've also made Solemn Trap/Forbidden Spell supports that you guys can check out on my reddit profile if you guys interested. |
2024.06.02 17:53 AutoModerator Fresh And Fit - DMS on Demand (with zoom calls)
Chat + 44 759 388 0762 (Telegram/WhatsApp) to get Fresh & Fit - DMs On Demand Course
I have Fresh & Fit - DMs On Demand Course.
Fresh & Fit - DMs On Demand Course is one of the best courses that will teach you all the secrets of effective and modern online dating (including Instagram).
The lessons you will learn in Fresh & Fit - DMs On Demand Course are unique and cannot be learned anywhere else.
If you are interested in getting Fresh & Fit - DMs On Demand Course contact me by:
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submitted by AutoModerator to TheFreshAndFit [link] [comments]
I have Fresh & Fit - DMs On Demand Course.
Fresh & Fit - DMs On Demand Course is one of the best courses that will teach you all the secrets of effective and modern online dating (including Instagram).
The lessons you will learn in Fresh & Fit - DMs On Demand Course are unique and cannot be learned anywhere else.
If you are interested in getting Fresh & Fit - DMs On Demand Course contact me by:
Reddit Direct Message to u/RequestCourseAccess
Email: silverlakestore[@]yandex.com (remove the brackets)
Telegram/WhatsApp: + 44 759 388 0762 (@silverlakestoreproducts)
2024.06.02 17:52 theragingoptimist Economic Opportunities information from "City of Yes" proposal
City of Yes
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Make it easier for businesses to find space and grow
City of Yes for Economic Opportunity would remove outdated restrictions on where businesses can set up shop to make it easier for businesses to find space or expand. For example, City of Yes would:- Remove deadlines to fill vacant storefronts
- Simplify rules on which types of businesses are allowed in commercial areas
- Allow small-scale clean production like "maker spaces" to locate in more areas of the city
- Update rules on loading docks so building uses can adapt over time
- Allow more types of businesses to locate on ground floors and, in some cases, on upper floors
- Simplify how zoning rules classify businesses
Boost growing industries
City of Yes for Economic Opportunity would remove barriers in today’s zoning rules that businesses in growing industries face. For example, City of Yes would:- Modernize regulations for life sciences so innovative companies can grow
- Simplify regulations for amusement venues, which include arcades, laser tag arenas, and swimming pools
- Permit dancing and live entertainment like comedy shows at venues where music is allowed
- Clarify rules about where businesses are allowed to grow plants and vegetables
- Allow entrepreneurs to open more types of home-based businesses
Enable more business-friendly streetscapes
City of Yes for Economic Opportunity would create consistent and easy to understand rules that encourage active, safe, and walkable commercial streets. For example, City of Yes would:- Establish consistent streetscape rules to ensure new buildings contribute to lively and active commercial areas
- Encourage neighborhood hubs for the local delivery of goods and services
- Reduce conflicts between auto repair shops and pedestrians
Create new opportunities for businesses to open
City of Yes for Economic Opportunity would rewrite zoning rules to ensure they are user-friendly, consistent, and modern. For example, City of Yes would:- Create new opportunities for corner stores and other goods and services to open in residential areas
- Create a pathway for businesses like film studios to build spaces that suit their needs
- Establish new zoning districts to boost job growth and business expansion while creating new options for loft-style buildings
- Allow local commercial spaces to locate on residential campuses
Why is this initiative needed?
When rules make it hard for businesses to find space, small businesses hurt the most.To support commercial corridors and entrepreneurs throughout the city, and reduce retail vacancy, we need modern zoning regulations that help the city adapt in a dynamic and evolving economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of flexibility in our zoning regulations. Businesses small and large are reevaluating how they use space, where to locate, and how they function in the face of changing consumer preferences and economic conditions.
Entrepreneurs in New York City have always experimented to develop new business models that make our city more vibrant and dynamic. Yet zoning rules that describe where different types of businesses are allowed have barely changed since 1961.
https://www.nyc.gov/site/planning/plans/city-of-yes/city-of-yes-economic-opportunity.page
2024.06.02 17:50 Healing-Drunk899 Why don't we do 12 step calls anymore?
I listen to a lot of speaker meetings. Like a lot....I work from home so I just put them on as I work. I love how much I've learned about AA from them, hearing different perspectives than I might have heard in my home group or surrounding meetings. I've heard all the big names, Clancy, Bob R., Chris, Katie, Sandy B., etc. and I have to say I really enjoy the message from the "big book thumpers." Maybe I relate so much because I literally needed to be physically removed from alcohol as I had zero choice and was drinking basically against my will for the last 3 years of my drinking (thank god for AA).
Anyhoo, as I've learned and realized and heard from these folks that AA presently can sometimes be far removed from how it was intended to be. They used to do 12 step calls where you would put your number on a call list and you'd get called to go to an alcoholics house and talk to them. Why don't we do this anymore, and if we do, how can I participate? My home group is a strong group with decades upon decades of sobriety between us, but I feel sometimes we drop the ball, collectively, on carrying the message.
submitted by Healing-Drunk899 to alcoholicsanonymous [link] [comments]
Anyhoo, as I've learned and realized and heard from these folks that AA presently can sometimes be far removed from how it was intended to be. They used to do 12 step calls where you would put your number on a call list and you'd get called to go to an alcoholics house and talk to them. Why don't we do this anymore, and if we do, how can I participate? My home group is a strong group with decades upon decades of sobriety between us, but I feel sometimes we drop the ball, collectively, on carrying the message.