Hi everyone, just wanted to share my experience so far with finding an apprenticeship and how it’s going for me.
I’d been to 30+ shops with my portfolio before somebody finally said yes to me. This shop was a great option at first! No “fees” or anything, told me I wouldn’t be doing coffee runs and denying any kind of hazing up front.
The owner is very experienced in the industry and although there are two artists only, their work is incredible. I was SO eager to get started and work with them. As of today, I have just hit a week and a half apprenticing for them and i’m going to call it off.
Why?

• The owner told me I could practice fake skins day one. (This would be okay if I had more practice prior to apprenticing but I was avoiding using skins so I could learn to tattoo correctly.)
  
• The owner did not watch me while i tattooed skins, saying I got too shaky and nervous around him for it to be any use.
  
• The owner told me I was the only apprentice there, but let an artist bring in a friend to also practice fake skins. This friend was tattooing after TWO DAYS of practice on skins. Friend didn’t have necessary materials either (no razors, had to borrow a decent power supply, had to be shown how to use the thermal printer) and was not licensed.
  
• Owner asked me to help with social media as he “knows nothing about it”. This was meant to serve as payment for the apprenticeship with a low weekly rate being paid to me in return (around 200) I didn’t mind this until after my two days off this weekend, he texted me and said we had to “review his expectations” and he was withholding pay from me until then, even though he gave me access to the social media for ONE working day, and had not paid me up until that point.
  

I came into the shop yesterday after he told me we would be having this conversation and he didn’t show up all day. He did text me and set the expectation that we only use professional photos for the IG. Meaning I am meant to take photos and video of every tattoo that comes in, edit them, format them for social media, approve them through him, then post, 7 days a week for $200.

• The artists at this shop have had one appointment in a week and a half. Owner clearly expects me to bring in his clientele for him via social media.
  
• The one appointment as well as every tattoo that has been a walk in was traced from pinterest.
  
• Owner asked me to buy things for my station that are already provided to the other artists, knowing I am working full time for him for free. EX: Armrests, lighting.
  
• The split is 50:50.
  
• The owner was again, not at the shop at all yesterday. I spoke with someone who walked in about a piercing they got the day before. She had concerns about the jewelry being incorrect. Called the owner to talk with her and he started asking “who told you i did this wrong” “its right” “well just because someone who’s been doing this a lot less time than i have said it was wrong doesn’t mean anything to me” the client started apologizing on the phone for unintentionally disrespecting him but he was being a fucking dick. I can’t imagine one of my clients being treated like that by someone I give half of my livelihood to.
  
• Shop hours are wildly inaccurate. Lets say we were a tattoo/piercing shop open 12-9. Most days we don’t have a piercer (so far haven’t even met the piercer, the owner has done all of them) and only one of the two artists comes in. They will be there either 12-5 or 5-9. So when this happens ive been at the shop, turning people away because we advertise incorrectly.
  
• The artists don’t speak great english (fine by me because i understand their language) so when the shop owner is out (seemingly frequently) I’m left to translate and run the shop for free. We are in a very touristy area. Thank GOD I paid attention to my pathogen training and can explain aftercare because if not these clients would have no idea wtf to do.
  

Anyway that’s a lot of reading for now so ill leave it at that. I’m going in to get my things this week and call it off but I wanted to get this shit off my chest and hopefully it can help someone know what to look out for in their search.
Don’t accept the first yes just because you’re anxious to start. And if you do accept it, maybe treat it like a trial run and try not to get your hopes up too much, incase shit starts to fall apart.
Worst case scenario, you’ll be pleasantly surprised if/when it does work out!

2nd ex bf:

1. Led me on for months, while using my love to move on from his girl bestfriend.
   
2. Had her on his snapchat while secretly maintaining a streak.
   
3. Talked about unaliving my cats.
   
4. Made disrespectful jokes.
   
5. Types "ua" instead of "you are".
   
6. Hates cats.
   
7. Has bad English.
   
8. Smokes and drinks.
   
9. Has too many female friends.
   
10. Blames me for starting arguments and fights when I'm just seeking reassurance and clarity.
    
11. Talked about swallowing a coin, I didn't know if he was being fr or not.
    
12. Commitment - phobe
    
13. Short tempered
    
14. Street style clothing (I prefer old money).
    
15. Got an ugly mullet hairstyle.
    
16. He wants piercings and tattoos.
    
17. Blame shifting.
    
18. Sleeps with his mom.
    
19. Unresolved feelings for his girl bestfriend.
    
20. Lazy
    

1st ex bf:

1. He is very dumb
2. He is very desperate and attention matters to him more than life itself.
3. He would post thirst traps everyday.
4. He constantly bragged about girls hitting on him.
5. He lied about not having exes.
6. He forged screenshots of his best friend asking him to leave me and made me believe it for a whole year.
7. He's addicted to watching inappropriate videos.
8. He's homophobic.
9. He anonymously asked me to leave him just to see how I'd react.
10. He made his friend click pictures of me talking to a family member on call, he claimed that I was cheating and proceeded to argue with me for 3 hours that night and then gave me the silent treatment.
11. He doesn't respect my privacy.
12. He created an account of his non-existent cousin on spotify and never admitted that he created it.
13. He copied almost every little thing I did, he lacks originality.
14. He kissed me without consent
15. He groped me without consent.
16. He constantly crossed my physical boundaries despite me stating I'm not okay with it and being visibly uncomfortable.
17. Forcing me to send inappropriate pictures.
18. He forced me to unfolllow EVERY guy.
19. Too clingy.
20. He created a fake account and refused to admit that it is his account. He said "This account follows all the pretty girls from my school".
21. He always seemed annoyed and would yell at me, then blame it on his homesickness.
22. He told me plenty of hurtful things.
23. Saying thank you to someone from the opposite gender was considered wrong.
24. He would post stories about one sided love and getting cheated on despite reassuring him.
25. After the breakup he told me I'm gonna be a loser, he'll go to the gym and make me regret.
26. He insulted me, in his stories publicly though he's the one who cheated multiple times.
27. He got into multiple relationships in less than 4 months after the breakups.
28. He sends shirtless pictures to other girls.
29. He talked to several girls behind my back.
30. He bragged about being a playboy and going on one night stands after the breakup.
31. He created a fake account of a girl and pretended the fake account had a crush on him for a week, in the second week he pretended that the fake account was his girlfriend.
32. He did not stop hoovering after the breakup.
33. He lied about his age.
34. I found his reddit and discovered he is 2 years younger, he lied about the whole situation.
35. His friends flirt with other girls while they're in a relationship (you are judged by the company you keep).
36. He would send thrist traps to girls.
37. He is very unhygienic.
38. He smells bad.
39. He overly believes in astrology and makes decisions based on it.
40. Glorifies hookup culture.
41. He has a victim mindset.
42. Drinks too much.
43. He has a horrible taste in music and movies and I had to force myself to watch it with him just to cheer him up, it was always what he wanted.
44. Doubted that he's not actually attracted to women.
45. He made hurtful playlists directed at me.
46. Has mommy issues.
47. Stole my expensive earring.
48. Criticized everything I did.
49. Talked down on me.
50. Isolated me.
51. Cheated on me.
52. Talked down on me.
53. Gaslit me.
54. He didn't stop stalking me for months.
55. Has the emotional maturity of a 16 year old.
56. He is overly obsessed with himself.
57. Lack of accountability.
58. Multiple fake accounts on social media.
59. Embarrassing social media profile.
60. Secretly on dating apps.

Edit: DO NOT message me a simple hi or hello, with no information about you, Put some effort in to your message like i have, come on. Day+Attempt#203
Hello everyone, Thank you for taking the time to read, I know its long, I know - I know. But its worth the read, Trust me. I appreciate you immensely.
Here's a bit about me,
My name is Jay, I live on the East coast of the US. I'm looking for love - like everyone else on here.., but you may not believe or even be doubtful that I've never had a GF before with me being 26, but its true. I'm simply just not willing to "be with" just anyone and I'm very picky. I want us to be a match, more than just have similar things in common.
One thing I have always been told is that I'm a "Real Catch, I'd be extremely lucky to have someone like you" - WELL THEN TAKE ME. I'M FREE. LOL.
About me:
Physically -
~I'm a semi-tall guy, around 5'10.
~I'm thin but muscular.
~I have dirty blonde/ brown hair.
~Changing colored eyes.
~A voice nice enough to melt all your safeguards and get right into your heart and weak spots.
~I do not have any tattoos or piercings. Though I would like to get some eventually.
If you'd like to see a picture of me just ask and I'll show you - IF I may see you as well, I simply just don't want a picture of me out there for anyone to see.
-If there's anything else you'd like to know just ask.
Otherwise -
~I do have 3 pet bunnies I would be more than happy to show you, they are extremely cute.
~I'm a very honest and down to earth guy.
~I'm very patient and easy going.
~I'm very curious and inquisitive. I will try to ask everything I can to learn all about you haha.
~I'm Very VERY Kind & Caring, I will probably ask how you are feeling a bajillion times a day, simply out of care for you.
~I can get pretty clingy, and will always want your attention and to be talking with you. If i have someone im interested in i wont want to talk to anyone else🤷‍♂️
~I'm very trustworthy - you can confide in me, and entrust your deepest secrets and I wont tell a soul.
~I'm a HUGE hopeless romantic, im old fashioned and will always try to impress you.
- I'm, a BIG softie even though I may look a smol bit intimidating, but I'd do just about anything to see you smile or laugh. And yes.., I do mean anything.
~I'm a big goof - I will get up to some silly shenanigans ALL the time, I will crack dumb jokes and send you memes and tik toks just to make you happy, even if its from across the room I'd wait to see your reaction lol.
~I'm extremely loyal, and would never even think of cheating.
~I will cook for you, and clean up too, even around the house, I'm very self productive and don't ask for much. Just don't forget to kiss the cook.
~I'd also love to just cuddle up and watch a movie or read a book together, anything to get us closer. Id try to take you out on dates whenever possible haha. I have a million SUPER romantic date ideas I have but have never had anyone interested enough in me to take out. Here's your chance ;)
~I will always want to share stuff I find interesting with you, and try to share every moment of every day with you. I'm not looking for someone who can only talk for a small amount of time, I want someone who's willing to put in all the effort I put into them back into me, it goes both ways. If I'm "with" someone you are my TOP priority nobody and nothing else would be. You would be the only person I'd truly want to talk to, so rest assured I would NEVER cheat, even more so because no one is interested in me - Hence why I'm here hahaha.
I'm sure there is more to me than this snippet but I cant think of more at the moment haha, so get to know me and find out more about me.
Some of my interests are: Engineering- I'm a nerd. I admit it. I love being technical and hands on, I love building things. All kinds of things, from furniture, machinery, and reverse engineering anything I find. I love learning how things work and trying to improve things.
Music - I prefer music with a very fast pace, or with some very meaningful lyrics I can relate to. I love to sing along to music and songs that have a deep meaning behind it I can sympathize with makes it all the better. Some bands I like are: Bad Omens, Beartooth, Demon Hunter, MIW, I9K - The list goes on. I'm a bit of a metalhead unfortunately.
TV Shows & Movies - I love watching shows, and I'd love to stream some shows and have some E-dates with you, to get to know you, or if you are close to me, maybe we could do it in person. Some shows I like or more of the Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Comedy, Action, stuff like: National Treasure, Halo, BattleBots, Rick and Morty, AHS, Anything Marvel or DC, The Witcher, Wednesday, The Sandman, The Magicians, The Umbrella Academy, ETC.
Gaming - Yes yes I know, Basic guy likes basic stuff. But gaming has been a thing for me since forever. I know most of you wont care or want to hear that, but I'll leave out the specifics on this part unless you are interested in that, MEGA Bonus points if you are.
Here's a lists of Cons to dating me-
~I'm not Ryan Reynolds. Disappointing, I know.
~I will fight you on what goes on pizza lol.
~I'm not rich.., Yet.
~I can't pronounce Worcestershire.
~I'm slightly forgetful, but with good reasoning.
~(Not really a con but- some might disagree) I still have ALL of my firsts, Do with that what you will c:
~I've got an endless pile of love and affection and no one to give it to! What a dilemma! Help me fix it?
Other than that I'll save the rest for a bit more of getting to know each other.
Here's a bit of what I'm looking in you:
~Preferably someone with lots of free time, and loves to chit chat. I'm seriously not interested in getting 1 message a day. Though I understand people get busy, I personally am not willing to try to learn about you and form something with 7 responses a week. Effort gets reciprocated and I appreciate the time you put in me.
~Physically: -I’m not personally attracted to anyone who’s “curvy/ chubby”, I apologize. Not a shallow thing, I just dont have the attraction chemical in my brain for that, I’m sorry. -If you’re shorter than me, thats a plus to me. -I love dimples, if you have those when you smile, bonus points 😊 - I’m not sure what else to put.., but as for nsfw wise find out😂
~I'm a sucker for a different accent other than American, and if you have an Posh English accent you have already won my heart.
~I'm also only really looking for someone within the ages of 18-35. I don't want anyone old enough to be my mom lol.
~I'd prefer (But not a must) people NOT on the other side of the world, as other time zones SUCK. I don't expect to find anyone who also has never had a boyfriend either, but that would be a real plus. I also don't mind a LDR, but I don't want that forever. But it gives us time to get to know each other.
But as for attributes I'm looking for in you:
~Someone who is above all else very very Loyal and would never cheat.
~Someone who is Honest, and will tell me the truth over a little white lie.
~Someone who is Kind & Caring, who'd constantly check on me, and accept me for who I am & help me improve day to day.
~Someone who is trustworthy, and I can count on to keep my secrets safe, or even just help me remember things.., I do tend to be somewhat forgetful.
~Someone who is very Patient and wants to see me succeed and will help me do so, just like I would help you. Even if its small day to day things, I would appreciate your company ANY time.
~I want a partner who is Affectionate, can reciprocate, and loves to snuggle and talk about their day, and what their interests are, and what makes them happy.
~Someone who can admit they get clingy or overprotective is a bonus.
~A partner with good communication is key, if something wrong we have to be able to talk about it.
~A partner who likes to game with me or at least watch me play would be a plus but not a requirement.
~Someone with a good sense of humor and like to joke around, I am a big goof after all and I love to joke around. Sending memes is always appreciated and good to cheer people up too!
~I'd prefer someone with the same music taste, but not a requirement, Plus if you wouldn't mind if I send you love songs occasionally that's a bonus, or sending me some back haha.
~Being willing to voice call is a must, Texting forever is not the way to go. I have to know what your voice is like haha, later on we can video call if you are comfortable with that. I prefer chatting on Discord because Reddit messages of any kind I'm sure you know are unreliable and sucky in general. So please send me your discord if you have one :)
~I would LOVE to see picture of your pets if you have any. Bonus points if it includes your beautiful self haha.
I'm sure there is more I'm looking for but I cant think of it right now haha, I will have to edit this when I think of it.
Please tell me about you as an opener! I told you a good bit about me, now its your turn haha.
Tell me some things like -
~What's your name?
~Where are you from?
~How old are you?
~What are your hobbies / interests?
~What about my post interested you?
~Where is my TV Remote?!
~Selfie? Pet pics?
~Hit me with your best joke or meme :)
~What's your favorite candy?
I'd LOVE to get to know you, and see where things go.
But yeah, I know it was long I'm sorry haha. Send me a message and lets get to know each other! :)

Here are the posts from the last week still marked as "Unknown." Please help identify them if you can!

Date	Title	Author
2024-05-29	[Unknown > English] What are the English lyrics to this song?	u/SmolSharkPerson
2024-05-30	Unknown > English	u/StWav_
2024-05-30	[Unknown >English] Thrifted this painting, any help with origin as well as translation for the script.	u/ForestDale4
2024-05-31	[Unkown > English] What does this pottery say?	u/slipset
2024-05-31	[?tibetan/naxi language -> english] Help finding this song that was playing in my tour guide's car while in Shangri-La City, Yunnan, China?	u/udonchopstick
2024-05-31	Unknown > English	u/TeacherPast
2024-06-01	[Unknown > English] I cant seem to understand what does it mean?	u/Objective_Meeting_62
2024-06-01	[unknown>english] please help me translate these runes!	u/IwantaSwedishgirl
2024-06-01	[unknown to english]	u/PerformanceRude9567
2024-06-02	Unknown>english	u/Financial-Chemical-3
2024-06-02	[Unknown > English] The inscriptions in this (fake) mummy. Do they make any sense?	u/NatanaelAntonioli
2024-06-02	[unknown>english] Need help translating please	u/Crazy_Noodles200
2024-06-02	[Unknown > English]	u/schutzy69
2024-06-02	[Unknown > English] I've been wondering what language the people in the intro of this song are speaking. The musician is brazilian himself, but the language sounds kinda "ancient" to me. Any help is pretty appreciated :-)	u/Hot_Bodybuilder2
2024-06-02	[unknown>English] gargoyle writing	u/jasminedragon3
2024-06-03	[unknown>english] can anyone help me translate this please	u/SignificanceExpert71
2024-06-03	[Unknown > English] Does anyone recognize these markings?	u/FudgeImpressive3099
2024-06-03	unknown > English (possibly Japanese?)	u/ashfordroe
2024-06-03	Unknown to English	u/boocakebandit
2024-06-03	[Unknown>English] Bracelet with one bead repeating	u/Wise-Ear-7564
2024-06-03	[Unknown > English] Deciphering a 5-second spoken message	u/BedLeading1839
2024-06-04	**[[Unknown to English] What does this brief series of letters (a word or multiple words) say?
](/translatocomments/1d7t27g/unknown_to_english_what_does_this_brief_series_of/)**	u/Most-Zombie
2024-06-04	[Unknown > English] What language are these notes?	u/ninebinchnails
2024-06-04	Unknown > English	u/catsrcoolll
2024-06-04	[Unknown > English] Can somebody translate what is written on my jeans?	u/Simsion
2024-06-05	(UNKNOWN > ENGLISH) My client got this tattoo years ago and doesn’t know what it says.	u/froggybagginss
2024-06-05	[Unknown >> English]	u/smellgel
2024-06-05	[Unknown - English] Found a painting	u/obstacleahead
2024-06-05	(Unknown > English) My grandma passed away recently and I was given this necklace of hers. What does it say and in what language?	u/m00n_rac00n
2024-06-05	[Unknown —> Eng] Second hand art	u/RoughProfession4534

Please make any identifications on the individual request pages.

Pretty much a random thought I've just had whilst home w/ a cold; so. We know that RTD is Welsh, and that politician Aneurin Bevan (interesting, actor playing Rodger ap Gwilliam's name is Aneurin Barnard, and we know RTD likes to get up to tricksy things) is basically the man responsible for the NHS.

• Each time we've seen either Susan Twist, or addt. Mrs. Flood before, there has been a parallel or implication regarding to age, health, etc. Mrs. Flood stating she continued her marathon despite "blisters the size of apples"=something that would totally require medical care, or alerting a state formed/supported team of emergency service professionals. Her name, Flood, water-based, could be a slight nod to the fire brigade - something we all take as a given now, yet when it was first started, you had to pay insurance on your property if you wished for your burning property to be extinguished.
• First time we see Susan Twist as anyone other than Mrs. Merridew, she's clearly a housekeepecleanecook/carer. Carer's are a vital part of the NHS, and any functioning health system/society, for those that are mentally, physically, or otherwise impaired.
• Second time, she interrupts Ruby's band, is dressed as a 60's-ish hippie, and requests the song "Gaudette" be played - as far as I know, this is a very old/Middle English carol, yet I think it had a resurgence around the 60's? That time period being also known as a time of free love, individual expression, fighting against prejudice - basically, seems to me to be quite pro-mental health. Going to include "Space Babies" under #2 here, as we see her as one of the staff leaving the birthing station in protest/disgust, and learn that the whilst the entire project is to be abandoned due to inflation, the "birthing machine" has/is to be left on. I think most people would agree that pre and post natal healthcare, as well as medical care during childbirth and delivery, is a basic human right. So; bit of a health theme here again.
• Third, she's a tea lady at EMI studio's, and we know that Doctor Who is very pro-tea (example: it reviving David Tennant's 10th Doctor incarnation when spilled in the TARDIS, after the Sycorax pick them all up), maybe implying that basic needs - such as a cup of tea - should not cost as much as what the Doctor and Ruby pay for it; half a Crown. Undertones of inflation carry through the series further into Gwilliam's time, as we saw on the news banner.
• Fourth, she's the AI figurehead for the Villengard ambulances; John Francis Vater's diagnosis of blindness is estimated to take something like four or so weeks to come right, which the AI calculates at too high a cost for the Villengard system/cause, and he is smelted down. Additionally, when Ruby is on the verge of death, care is denied to Ruby - it's programmed not to heal "non-believer's", and additionally, unlike the others, the AI cannot locate her next of kin.
• Fifth, we see her as Penny Pepper-Bean, Lindy's mother. Who, whilst absent, has paid a large sum of money for her daughter to go to Finetime, and live a supposedly healthy and ideal life. So; an implication that only those with money can have the basics/necessities, etc. Additionally, when Lindy tries to call FineTime's police, we basically just hear a pre-recorded phoneline message, as if the service is either non-existant, or has failed. Essentially, like how parents are seen in society as protectors, the way they are not there for their children - the police are not there. And everything's quite literally very BUG-y, if you'll excuse me the pun. xD
• EDIT: sorry; I forgot about Susan Twist as the Hiker - this could be interpreted as LandSAR (Search and Rescue), specified medical helicopters*, etc. Her asking Ruby "Do you need a doctor?"

*And additionally, that things created out of waspeed-up technology=not all bad. Flight, now one of our best, positive methods of travel, and experience. Travelling physically, and having things (eg. next of kin, health stuff, name, details, all the rest) organised before you go - in case there's some arse-hat in a Villengard ambulance denying you care or trying to off you because, I dunno, your personal preference is that you dislike coriander. *shrug* I think the "woke" bit of this season is trying to make the subject/fact of someone's race, class, status, sexuality, and gender all so commonly accepted as "right; this is cool - think and do what you like (the Doctor tells Lindy she and the other's may think whatever they like, if they let him save their lives). It isn't going to affect me, it's just not personally my deal, yet I acknowledge and see you equally." Same way we deal with those of us who don't like vs. do like coriander - that's perfectly fine and good, have at it, will make it for you as isn't poison, just yucky, just heck off trying to shove that down MY throat, yeah. :3
I'm completely unsure if this is meant to be a tiny, wee story-line amidst a larger one, yet classic RTD - it's a thinker. And for me, it made me think of a few phrases said in both UK and US English. High poss. this is also just my tired brain, yet it's a fun thought experiment. In "Boom" we see Mundy and Canto trying to arrange/shuffle something, and hear the statement "but I don't have the Divinity!" implying there needs to be some kind of payment/trade-off for whichever service/favouetc is granted - and that ends with Mundy promising to show Canto her tattoo (despite it being on another person). Given a traditional religious view and standpoint on genders and sex, this could be an allusion to that? As a form of some kind of "payment". In the UK, emergency and necessary services such as the abovementioned are generally free to the public, no matter class, status, etc. Doesn't matter who you are; if you walk into A&E, you may have to sit in casualty for 8+hrs with a bunch of drunks on a Friday night, yet you'll 100% still get treated, no charge, ask, shame, or worry.
Compare that to the US (brother in law works lives & works over there helping to sell/supply high quality medical equipment) where it can be up to 2.5K for a fire-ambulance call out, no matter the issue. It's a very tiered, Capitalist system (well, everything is, yet in this case - compared to the NHS), and more money can mean better treatment, care, and the difference between quality of life, and life and death. The first place the Doctor took Ruby in the TARDIS was Wyoming, and mentioned he had forgotten to switch off the "butterfly compensation" switch; which he then does, and proceeds to heal and release the Monarch butterfly Ruby accidentally stepped on. Accident or not in the US, you end up paying; I broke my arm on a childhood trip there once, and even with our travel+ insurance, my parents still had to fork over a few thousand dollars. My Dad joked it would have been cheaper to splint my arm, pay the cost of changing our flights, and heading back home to the UK.
Essentially, my conclusion felt that with the world, UNIT, the Vlinx, TRIAD, and a world that is becoming more and more dependent on super-computing and AI to deal with all-too-human issues; I cannot conceive of a way to see how a fair, ethical, impartial general AI would be able to exist under any Capitalist/classist paradigm. I think it's going to be interesting to see the regency/Bridgerton episode this week, in which Indira Varma's character is seem emphatically and enthusiastically announcing what's better than a wedding; and we know Susan Twist is appearing as a portrait, presumably of/implying someone of status.
LAST THOUGHT: Donna won the triple-rollover lottery, yet gave it all away - except for purchasing the house and the shed. She was also fired from her job for spilling coffee* onto a computer, fitting with the theme that tech is slowly surpassing human importance. Then, when in the TARDIS with the Doctor at the end of "Star Beast", she spills her coffee on/into the console - which leads them to 1666 London, Isaac Newton. 1666 in London, we know was the time of the Great Fire of London, as well as there being a huge outbreak of plague; thus, fits in with said above, sort of? Those who survived those events tended to be (obviously) the wealthier ones. Houses with people infected by plague during that time, were boarded up, padlocked, and the people left to either recover, or die; the money for said boards and padlocks was charged to/paid by the Church. So, my thought kind of was - we know these things, and addit. at the time, not everyone was like Newton and could afford or have access to an education. Around those times, Latin was considered the uppe"Kingly" language, whereas English was essentially your working-class variant - people would also write down words more on how they SOUNDED phonetically, and what they were linked with, or to. So, I guess a bit of a joke could be made when considering the phrase "cough up"= implication, to pay for something, or else receive nothing (addt. UK slang, "c**k up" = an accident, an unfortunate mistake), vs. "tee up"= very UK slang, essentially meaning, right; okay, let's get ready to sort this out. So; were Donna's accidental actions a "coff up" that has rippled through time and space, causing changes, and inviting chaos we have yet to see the full extent of? [MY THANKS & CONGRATULATIONS TO ANYONE WHO ACTUALLY TOOK THE TIME TO READ THIS FULL WALL OF TEXT BRAIN-FART - go have a cuppa tea, you absolute champion. <3 ]

I want to get this exact panel tattooed but I’m not sure if I should go for the English oder Japanese version. I can’t find the Japanese panel and would love to get a glance at it, so I know what they’re saying. The panel is from chapter 165

I live in Washington State (USA) and I'm looking for a loving long-term serious relationship with the right person, not just anyone. Preferably close by or in the US, but may consider elsewhere. Currently single. I don't want any kids and don't have any, but I'm close with my family. I'm loving, affectionate, understanding, and put a lot of effort into a relationship. I've always been serious about relationships, never into the temporary culture and I hope you aren't either.
I have my picture on another post and my profile pic is me. Please share a selfie if you message me please!
I'm 32 (but look 25 or less haha), a little under 5'7", ~140 lbs., straight, monogamous. I'm clean shaven most of the time, shorter hair (but curly/wavy when long), and simple clothing (nothing fancy, but not messy). I'm also an atheist and believe in science, climate change, and the effectiveness of vaccines. I have an INFJ personality (assuming that's accurate).
I'm self employed, working with my brother on multiple projects. My main focus currently is working on a PC game.
Feel free to ask about anything else you wish to know! I like openness! And I'm up for video chatting to get to know each other.
My general likes:
Quality time together, walking/hiking, photography, baking, affection, computers/tech, board games, PC games, tea, honesty, loyalty, open communication, making people happy, nice/understanding people, and saving money.
Shows I like:
The Office (All time favorite), Monk, Stranger Things, Psych, Money Heist, House, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Fringe, Dexter, HIMYM, Chuck, various baking competition shows, and a lot of others... I don't want to make a giant list here. This list is old but valid.
Music I like:
Indie, alternative, pop, and some similar styles.
Food... I'm a little bit picky, but I'll try 'most' things at least once, I have my limits though! I rarely eat out at restaurants/fast food. I try not to eat a lot of meat, so I limit that whenever possible. Alternatives are welcome! I could go either way though.
What I'm looking for (I can make exceptions, this is just a list of the ideal):

• Someone 32 years old or younger.
• You know how to hold a conversation, be open and honest with me, you know what you want, and you know how relationships work. I don't mind if you haven't had a relationship before or any experience, I just want someone serious and knows how to show it. I usually prefer more talkative people.
• You don't mind staying indoors, but also like walks/hikes. I prefer nature rather than cities/crowds.
• Have a sense of humor
• Not a party person (crazy wild parties at least)
• No strong perfume (sensitive nose haha)
• Physically and emotionally affectionate
• Nice and are interested in getting to know me
• Similar goals (serious long-term relationship)
• If you care about people not just based on their wealth or material things. And if you agree that personality and connection is what matters most.
• If you put time and effort into a relationship.
• You're fluent in English and are either in the US or planning to move to the US soon. Might consider another English-speaking country if it's easy to move there.
• You don't have tattoos (just a personal preference, mainly not big ones and there might be exceptions).
• You have straight teeth and/or a nice smile
• You have good hygiene
• Vaccinated (no anti-vax people please)
• Liberal (or at least not overly conservative).
• You're smaller than I am and not older looking than I am. I sometimes like tall though, it depends...
• You don't smoke, vape, do any drugs, drink a lot, or anything similar.

A: Anyway, I was drugged.
B: Baby me and you’ll be peeing through a catheter.
C: Come on, Scully, get those little legs moving!
D: Dear Diary, today my heart leapt when Agent Scully suggested spontaneous human combustion.
E: Even when the world was falling apart, you were my constant, my touchstone.
F: FEDERAL AGENT!
G: Good, because I put it back in that drawer with all those other videos that aren’t yours.
H: Her name is Bambi?
I: Imagine going through your whole life looking like that.
J: Just sing anything. Jeremiah was a bull frog. Was a good friend of mine. Never understood a word he said but I helped him drink his wine. Joy to the world…all the boys and girls. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea. Joy to you and me.
K: Keep going, FBI woman.
L: Life... is like a box of chocolates. A cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that nobody ever asks for. Unreturnable, because all you get back is another box of chocolates. You're stuck with this undefinable whipped-mint crap that you mindlessly wolf down when there's nothing else left to eat. Sure, once in a while, there's a peanut butter cup, or an English toffee. But they're gone too fast, the taste is fleeting. So you end up with nothing but broken bits, filled with hardened jelly and teeth-shattering nuts, and if you're desperate enough to eat those, all you've got left is a... is an empty box... filled with useless, brown paper wrappers.
M: Mulder, it’s me.
N: Now, if you don’t mind, I have to get an A.P.B out on a white male age 17 to 34, with or without a beard, maybe a tattoo…who’s impotent. Let’s go.
O: One of them was disguised as a woman, but wasn't pulling it off. Like, her hair was red but it was a little too red, you know? And the other one... the tall, lanky one... his face was so blank and expressionless. He didn't even seem human. I, I think he was a mandroid.
P: Please explain to me the scientific nature of the whammy.
Q: Queequeg, come back here! Queequeg? Queequeg! Quee— [sad, empty leash retracts]
R: Roswell! Roswell!
S: Sorry, no one down here except the FBI’s most unwanted.
T: ___________

A: Anyway, I was drugged.
B: Baby me and you’ll be peeing through a catheter.
C: Come on, Scully, get those little legs moving!
D: Dear Diary, today my heart leapt when Agent Scully suggested spontaneous human combustion.
E: Even when the world was falling apart, you were my constant, my touchstone.
F: FEDERAL AGENT!
G: Good, because I put it back in that drawer with all those other videos that aren’t yours.
H: Her name is Bambi?
I: Imagine going through your whole life looking like that.
J: Just sing anything. Jeremiah was a bull frog. Was a good friend of mine. Never understood a word he said but I helped him drink his wine. Joy to the world…all the boys and girls. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea. Joy to you and me.
K: Keep going, FBI woman.
L: Life... is like a box of chocolates. A cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that nobody ever asks for. Unreturnable, because all you get back is another box of chocolates. You're stuck with this undefinable whipped-mint crap that you mindlessly wolf down when there's nothing else left to eat. Sure, once in a while, there's a peanut butter cup, or an English toffee. But they're gone too fast, the taste is fleeting. So you end up with nothing but broken bits, filled with hardened jelly and teeth-shattering nuts, and if you're desperate enough to eat those, all you've got left is a... is an empty box... filled with useless, brown paper wrappers.
M: Mulder, it’s me.
N: Now, if you don’t mind, I have to get an A.P.B out on a white male age 17 to 34, with or without a beard, maybe a tattoo…who’s impotent. Let’s go.
O: One of them was disguised as a woman, but wasn't pulling it off. Like, her hair was red but it was a little too red, you know? And the other one... the tall, lanky one... his face was so blank and expressionless. He didn't even seem human. I, I think he was a mandroid.
P: Please explain to me the scientific nature of the whammy.
Q: Queequeg, come back here! Queequeg? Queequeg! Quee— [sad, empty leash retracts]
R: Roswell! Roswell!
S: Sorry, no one down here but the FBI’s most unwanted.
T: _______________

I live in Washington State (USA) and I'm looking for a loving long-term serious relationship with the right person, not just anyone. Preferably close by or in the US, but may consider elsewhere. I've never been married, currently single. I don't want any kids and don't have any, but I'm close with my family. I'm loving, affectionate, understanding, and put a lot of effort into a relationship. I've always been serious about relationships, never into the hookup culture and I hope you aren't either.
I'm 32 (but look 25 or less haha), a little under 5'7", ~140 lbs., straight, monogamous, and yes, I look younger than I am. I'm clean shaven most of the time, shorter hair (but curly/wavy when long), and simple clothing (nothing fancy, but not messy). I'm also an atheist and believe in science, climate change, and the effectiveness of vaccines. I have an INFJ personality (assuming that's accurate).
I have my picture on my other post/profile pic. Please share a selfie if you message me please!
My general likes: Quality time together, walking/hiking, photography, baking, affection, computers/tech, board games, PC games, tea, honesty, loyalty, open communication, making people happy, nice/understanding people, and saving money.
I'm self employed, working with my brother on multiple projects. My main focus currently is working on a PC game.
Feel free to ask about anything else you wish to know! Again, I like openness! And I'm up for video chatting to get to know each other.
Shows I like: The Office (All time favorite), Monk, Stranger Things, Psych, Money Heist, House, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Fringe, Dexter, HIMYM, Chuck, various baking competition shows, and a lot of others... I don't want to make a giant list here. This list is old but valid.
Music I like: Indie, alternative, pop, and some similar styles.
Food... I'm a little bit picky, but I'll try 'most' things at least once, I have my limits though! I rarely eat out at restaurants/fast food. I try not to eat a lot of meat, so I limit that whenever possible. Alternatives are welcome! I could go either way though.
What I'm looking for (I can make exceptions, this is just a list of the ideal):

• Someone 32 years old or younger.
• You know how to hold a conversation, be open and honest with me, you know what you want, and you know how relationships work. I don't mind if you haven't had a relationship before or any experience, I just want someone serious and knows how to show it. I usually prefer more talkative people.
• You don't mind staying indoors, but also like walks/hikes. I prefer nature rather than cities/crowds.
• Have a sense of humor
• Not a party person (crazy wild parties at least)
• No strong perfume (sensitive nose haha)
• Physically and emotionally affectionate
• Nice and are interested in getting to know me
• Similar goals (serious long-term relationship)
• If you care about people not just based on their wealth or material things. And if you agree that personality and connection is what matters most.
• If you put time and effort into a relationship.
• You're fluent in English and are either in the US or planning to move to the US soon. Might consider another English-speaking country if it's easy to move there.
• You don't have tattoos (just a personal preference, mainly not big ones and there might be exceptions).
• You have straight teeth and/or a nice smile
• You have good hygiene
• Vaccinated (no anti-vax people please)
• Liberal (or at least not overly conservative).
• You're smaller than I am and not older looking than I am. I sometimes like tall though, it depends...
• You don't smoke, vape, do any drugs, drink a lot, or anything similar.

I’m going to be living in Leipzig for one month later this year, I can’t wait and would love to hear some recommendations on the things below and also anything else you think is worth checking out!

• Fun cycling routes away from traffic
• Best parks for running
• Markets
• Restaurants (any cuisine!)
• Tattoo shops
• LGBT scene
• Activities for meeting people (I speak English only but learning German)
• Local music scene / venues
• Independent cinemas
• anywhere that’s not safe / to avoid at night

Thank you! Can’t wait to visit the beautiful city

Hey! Looking to get a tattoo in Irish. I am Celtic pagan, and I saw a cool phrase written in someone else’s tattoo, but I wanted to make sure it’s right before I even think about putting it in ink. The way it was written was “Céile na nDéithe” and it was supposed to mean “servant of the gods”. Is this right? If not, how would you write that phrase in Irish? Thanks!

-------------------------
To: [redacted]@gmail.com
From: [redacted]@lodgeofkozeron.org
-------------------------
Subject: Membership with the Lodge of the Ancient Order of Közeron
-------------------------
Hello again Eric!
I am reaching out to you regarding your intent to pledge to the Lodge of the Ancient Order of Közeron. As you are already aware, this fraternal brotherhood is unlike the fraternities at other universities. In fact, it has nothing to do with so called "Greek Life" at all. Membership with our Lodge will not only help you as you attend Eldertide Polytechnic University here in Echo Bay, but you will find that the brotherhood of the Lodge will help you in life after your matriculation has concluded. Many Lodge members find successful careers in law enforcement, politics and several are CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
Before we invite you to participate in the Pledging Ceremony, we do want to ensure that you know and understand a few things about the Lodge:

1. Everything you learn about the Lodge as a pledgling or full member is strictly confidential. You will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to proceed further. Failure to uphold your end of this agreement has dire consequences which will be discussed further with you should you desire to continue pledging.
   
2. Mastery of a Martial Art is compulsory. The Lodge will not dictate which form (or forms) of Martial Arts to pursue and there is no time constraint or expectation for you to reach a level of mastery quickly. As far as the Lodge is concerned, you may pursue mastery for the rest of your life, but your attempts must be earnest. This will be verified yearly for the rest of your life. Again, failure to uphold your end of this will be met with dire consequences. Please consider this before continuing.
   
3. The Scarification Rite is mandatory. It hurts. A lot. You will bare the mark of the brand below your left ankle for the rest of your life. You will have trouble walking as the scar left by the brand heals. This rite is another of our many secrets and my brother and I recommend wearing a bandage and using crutches as the scar heals. Claiming to have a sprained ankle is the easiest way to explain away your trouble walking for several weeks and you are welcome to come waterskiing with us on the day of the ceremony should you choose to use this excuse. Spraining your ankle doing an activity will give your story the appropriate alibi. You don't have to come with us, but we like you so we wanted to invite you.
   
4. We use a coded language when speaking about the Lodge in public. Don't worry this is fairly simple to master and you will learn it quickly.
   
5. Membership is for life. Yes LIFE. You cannot leave. EVER. Please consider this carefully before continuing forward. Attempting to leave, again, will be met with dire consequences.
   

There are a number of other considerations you will need to consider as you pledge, but we find these to be the most important. In addition, please review the attached file and memorize the contents to the best of your ability. It is an account of Közeron's Rise and early history.
This document was generously scanned page-by-page by Eldertide Polytechnic University's head librarian Darlene Fischer from a 1934 University textbook which is kept in her private and restricted collection. This textbook of which only one copy remains, contains an entire chapter of what is considered by experts to be the most accurate, definitive account of Közeron's history. It is a great privilege to have this information shared with you so please recognize that and act accordingly.
Commit as much as you can of it to memory as the Grand Navigator will frequently quiz you about its contents prior to accepting your application for Lodge membership.
Finally, If you have any questions, please reach out to me or my brother, Dean. As your Sponsors, we will be happy to answer any and all questions.
If you fail it reflects poorly on us, so do not embarrass us, Eric!
Sincerely,
Devin James
-------------------------

📎 Attachment: rise-of-kozeron.pdf

-------------------------
 

Attachment Contents:

 

The Rise of Közeron

The Viking ship known as Klóra Karfi disappeared on its journey homeward to the shores of Norway as it traversed the freezing waters of the North Sea with its sister ships, the Skelmir Hlíf and Hjarta Hvassi. It would be the final voyage of all three ships led by the famous Viking raider Kortan Sigurd and myriad pieces of the Skelmir Hlíf and Hjarta Hvassi were said to have washed ashore near Lindisfarne, England, the town that they set out from, after a great storm ravished and destroyed them. The winds and waves that night were responsible for drowning their respective crews and reducing both ships to kindling. Although historical documents from the corresponding time period and region of Britain assume the same fate befell the Klóra Karfi, something very different happened to Kortan Sigurd and the men on that ship.
image-1.jpg
The raid was said to have been swift and brutal. The Viking warriors led by Sigurd, in documents written by Brother Godric Eadwine (an Anglo-Saxon monk at the Lindisfarne Priory), are described as “a band of savage heathen men whom hath once more come ashore, bringing ruin to the holy churches and townships that lie within the countryside's embrace. Three ships did arrive at break of day, one bearing the shape of a giant seashell carved upon its prow, another adorned with a heart, and the final with the visage of a dragon, adorned with fierce clawed talons striking fear. The men aboard these vessels slew all who stood against them, robbing their victims of money, treasures, and even their food. Ere they set their homes ablaze, reducing them to naught but ashes.” Brother Godric Eadwine also describes the storm that night, mentioning it the following day in his private diaries: “The tempest that did wreak havoc upon the coast yestereve was terrible and treacherous, verily the work of some evil force. The north tower of our holy monastery was smitten by lightning, causing a great fire in its wrathful strike and taking Abbot Edwulf Oswine from us. Between the dire events of the day and the calamities of the night that followed, the happenstances on the 19th day of June in the 824th year of our Lord shall forever be graven upon my memory.”
The histories inscribed by this monk and others of the Lindisfarne Priory claim that, upon finding pieces of wrecked longships mere days after the raids, the Klóra Karfi was destroyed along with its sister ships the Skelmir Hlíf and the Hjarta Hvassi in the storm that ensued after the violent plunder that befell the English coastline. There are, however, conflicting historical documents recorded by the Seãkwa people, a Native American tribe settled on the coast of New England in North America during the same time period. This unverified history is quite possibly the true fate of Kortan Sigurd and the Klóra Karfi, for in early 1932, during a ground excavation for a local business, a ship of Viking origin with a dragon’s head prow matching Brother Godric Eadwine’s description was unearthed from where it was buried near Veil Reef Beach at the southern boundary of Echo Bay. Experts confirm that the type of wood used as well as the building style of the vessel matches the construction of others built in the time period and location where the Klóra Karfi originated, lending further credence to the idea that the ship was not destroyed but was instead separated from its sisters during the violent storm, inexplicably finding its way completely undamaged and wholly intact to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
image-2.jpg
According to Seãkwa historians, the tale that follows originated from stories told by the physical manifestation of an oceanic deity named Közeron, who shared his history with the tribe when he encountered them sometime in the 7th century. It has been shared in tribal memory for over 1,200 years via word of mouth, art, canoe carvings and architectural adornments from different time periods in their tribal history and remains a major part of the Seãkwa’s tribal identity to this day.
After successfully raiding Lindisfarne and the surrounding countryside, Kortan Sigurd and his men returned to their ships, securing their plunder and setting sail for home. The trio of longships were particularly quick and were thought to have possibly moved at an average speed of 8-12 knots, taking them approximately three days to five days of rowing with breaks and weather factored in, to make the approximate 800 kilometer return trip to their village on the coast of Norway. Typically, Viking longships of this time period sailed within view of the coastline and did not sail directly across open seas causing a journey that would otherwise take approximately two days to take nearly twice as long.
Sigurd was standing at the helm of the Klóra Karfi, adorned with its intricately carved prow, when the sky suddenly darkened and the wind began to howl like a vengeful spirit. A fierce and unexpected storm descended upon the three ships out of nowhere just hours after they set sail. The seas roared and monstrous waves reached their great hands towards the sky, threatening to capsize the raiding party’s ships with every gust. The men of the Klóra Karfi watched in horror as a maelstrom opened beneath the Hjarta Hvassi and Skelmir Hlíf, spinning them around and around one another in endless circles as their crews attempted to furiously row their vessels to safety. The men watched as the efforts of those in the other longships were unsuccessful and the whirlpool snapped the oars that competed against its currents one by one, eventually swallowing both ships whole and beginning to pull at the lone Viking longship that remained.
As the Klóra Karfi spun in the very same current that its sisters perished within, a great wave submerged the deck, taking three of the crew overboard and into the watery depths. The remaining men clung to the ship, white-knuckled and fearful, as the maelstrom’s grip tightened and their fate seemed set in stone.
When the intense storm finally abated, Kortan Sigurd and his men remained aboard the ship adrift in a dense fog, obscuring their vision of everything past two or three feet in every direction. The mist was so thick that when the men stood at the stern, they were unable to see the bow of the Klóra Karfi at the other end. The sun above them, showing barely through the haze, appeared as an illuminated, ghostly disc and worse still, not a single one of the men could remember how they survived. They could recall the onset of the typhoon, the terrifying whirlpool and watching their sister ships being crushed as they were sucked down to the bottom, but the memory of how they escaped that fate themselves was a blank void–as if it were wiped from their minds.
Amongst Sigurd’s men was one woman who went by the name of Aud Olofsdotter; a fierce shield maiden and soothsayer or “völva” as she was known in their native tongue, who claimed to have received a prophetic vision during the storm. Over many years, the men learned to listen to her and listen closely when she shared her visions with them, as she was a skilled storyteller and her prophecies became truths quite often. She spoke of a great kraken; a monstrous spear-headed sea creature with dozens of great, reaching tentacles, emerging from the depths at the very center of the maelstrom and pulling at the Klóra Karfi into the spinning waters.
image-3.jpg
According to her vision, as it began to capsize, instead of allowing the longship to overturn, the great beast held it upright and level for a moment. It raised it up and above the waves for just a moment before it pulled the ship into the maelstrom’s center and underwater entirely. Instead of becoming submerged beneath the viciously undulating surface, the crew found themselves traveling through a mystical tunnel beneath the waves–a water-passage that encircled the ship above and below and seemed to stretch endlessly before and behind them. She claimed that this underpass beneath the surface of the water was a place of unremembering where the passage of time and the movement of the ship became entirely meaningless. The span between the storm and waking in the fog, which seemed to the men to be mere moments, was actually, she claimed, to be over three weeks. Some of the men who heard her telling of this vision claimed that this simply could not be so and at this, she urged them to check their stores of food and fresh water.
“You will find them nearly depleted.” she said, “I tell you, it has been nigh on a month since we sailed through this otherworldly realm, as guided by some unseen force and in that time, we have consumed nearly all of our provisions.”
Their stores of food, which were mostly stolen during the raid, should have lasted them nearly 20 days and what remained of their supply of fresh water was barely enough for four, although the barrels should have been nearly full for their journey was only meant to last a week or two and no longer. At this revelation, the men were dismayed and disoriented and looked to Kortan for leadership and guidance.
Knowing no other means of escape from their plight, he ordered them back into the hull and to begin rowing in a direction that, unsure of their location and lacking means of navigation through the fog, he chose arbitrarily–desperately hoping it would lead them safely to land and salvation.
For five days they rowed and the thick blankets of mist hanging in the air never lifted. Morale plummeted as hunger and thirst gnawed at their resolve to continue onward and some of the men began to believe and share in whispers that they surely must be dead. Their reasoning was that the maelstrom actually crushed their longship, like it had done to its sisters, and while the other crews made it to Valhalla, they somehow found themselves lost along the way. On the sixth night, shortly after the first of their numbers was found dead of malnutrition and dehydration in his bunk below decks, the waters around the Klóra Karfi were discovered to be glowing with a neon green phosphorescence and illuminating the fog with an eerie light. Both things were interpreted by most of those aboard the ship as a malevolent sign.
No one knew why he chose that night, when the water shimmered with an eerie glow, but even the most rational among the crew could be tempted to drink the seawater at this point, driven by their relentless thirst. Perhaps this man, unlike the others, saw the neon waters as a divine omen. The first to drink was Vontell Eriksson, who lowered a bucket into the glowing sea and raised it to his lips, swallowing nearly half without even attempting to skim the luminescent algae from the surface. In the waters around Echo Bay, the phosphorescent green glow is a familiar sight and is caused by psykothrix algae. This algae, more abundant before the Bay was settled, is still illegally harvested, dried, and processed for its consumption to this day. Known for its vivid glow and psychedelic properties, psykothrix algae poses a significant risk if not properly prepared. Studies reveal that improper processing can lead to severe irrationality and bouts of inexplicable violence, especially in those with weak or compromised constitutions. Thus, when the six starving and thirsty crew members were convinced by Vontell to drink the water with him, each of them fell into a state of frenzied madness. These seven men became the crew’s undoing.
That night, driven by insatiable hunger and the effects of psykothrix, the intoxicated men determined Aud Olofsdotter to be the weakest of the crew on board. They stabbed her to death and cut away strips of her stomach, which they began to eat raw. It wasn’t until they began to consume her uterus, intestines and liver that they were witnessed by another crewman who happened upon them in the midst of their gruesome act. Being greatly outnumbered by the madmen, he retreated above deck to alert Kortan Sigurd about what he’d seen happening below.
Most of the men gathered on the deck, drawn by the eerie glow of the eldritch waters. Kortan, rallying his remaining best fighters, descended below deck to confront the madmen-turned-cannibals. A brutal battle ensued, with the intoxicated men holding the advantage; the uncured algae granted them unnatural strength and cunning. In a short time, they overpowered Sigurd and his fighters, capturing Sigurd and binding him tightly to a beam.
As the remaining crew discovered the mutiny, they attempted to reclaim their ship, descending below deck to attempt to overthrow the mutineers and free their leader. However, the madmen’s enhanced abilities led to a bloody slaughter. One by one, Sigurd’s men fell until only Kortan remained, shouting at the mutineers and demanding to be released. The madmen taunted him for hours, their eyes gleaming and wild the entire time. Before the night was through, they mutilated their captain, severing his arms at the elbows and cutting off his legs, tossing them into the glowing sea. Kortan was strong and his strength and desire to live never faltered, even at the end when they threw him, still alive, into the freezing neon waters as well.
This marks a pivotal moment in Seãkwa tribal history where legend and myth become one, for Kortan Sigurd did not perish. Indeed, what transpired next endowed him with everlasting life. Xaigon, eternal and undying, in this time period was already inhabiting the waters of Echo Bay and was already living there in his dream state for eons. His followers on land were already brewing Cetacean Essence and undergoing the telltale transformations and adaptations necessary to live with him beneath the waves for several hundred years. At this time, the Shining City in the fabled Coral Caves was considerably smaller than its present size. By 824 AD, Depth Departures were occurring in small, unrecorded numbers within the Seãkwa tribe, with the Xaigonian Fishpeople beneath the black waves of Echo Bay numbering between 750 and 900 souls.
It is crucial to note that the true scope and size of the Shining City has never been accurately counted or estimated with any degree of success. By the time of this publication in 1934, it is thought that over 5,000 souls reside in the Shining City. The Xaigonian Fishpeople do not permit outsiders, particularly census takers, to enter their great, secret city, and likely never will, rendering these numbers unverifiable. Experts concur that the population of the Coral Cave’s Shining City is at least double that of Echo Bay. However, many argue that this undersea population is easily three times larger than the land-based population.
For more information on Xaigon, Xaigonian Enclave, Xaigonian Fishpeople, Cetacean Essence or Depth Departures, refer to Chapter 12, "The Lore and History of Xaigon" beginning on page 137.
Having been noticed by Xaigonian scouts two days prior, the Klóra Karfi was already being watched closely by the residents of the Shining City and as Kortan Sigurd’s body sank beneath the waters, it was collected by three Xaigonian Oracles. Moving hastily and employing the use of their dark magic, the Priestesses dismembered a giant lobster attaching its limbs, tail and legs to Kortan Sigurd’s torso, thus saving his life.
When Kortan awoke beneath the sea, his eyes slowly adjusted to the dim, otherworldly light filtering through the water. Confusion gripped him as he took in his strange surroundings; an underwater temple filled with bioluminescent sea creatures and phosphorescent algae. Before him stood the three Oracles, pleasure painted across their scaled faces, satisfied with their work. For a short time, he strained to comprehend the alien environment. When they spoke to him, he did not understand their words and he slowly began to grow agitated.As realization dawned, this confusion and agitation gave way to a burning wrath. The annals of Viking mythology are clear: a slain warrior's rightful place is within the hallowed halls of Valhalla, where he would feast and fight for eternity. Yet, by some cruel twist of fate, Kortan found himself denied this glorious afterlife. His resurrection beneath the waves was not a blessing but a curse–a theft of his warrior's reward.
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Fueled by this perceived outrage and denial, Kortan's rage intensified. His once noble visage twisted with fury, he turned on the very Oracles who saved his life. These mystical seers of the deep, revered for their wisdom and power, unwittingly incurred his vengeance. He saw their actions not as a salvation but as a condemnation, a denial of his divine right.
As their mangled bodies began to turn the waters of their sacred temple red, Kortan breathed heavily of their mystic blood as it commingled with the seawater. In breathing this blood, he was further imbued with the dark magics of the Xaigonian Priestesses.
This act of destruction and desecration within the sacred confines of one of Xaigon’s temples, nestled in the secretive Shining City of the Coral Caves, did not escape notice. Xaigon himself, a nightmarish entity with a slick, reflective black form, both squid-like and humanoid, bearing a colossal obsidian shell upon his back, stirred from his eternal slumber. Waking from his dreamstate and rising up from the Abyss, he ascended through the chasmic cliffs of his sleeping crevice, swimming directly to the temple where the massacre transpired. Within moments, his formidable tentacles rent the walls of the sacred sanctuary to rubble, and upon discovering Kortan still within, a titanic clash between the two ensued.
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Xaigon found himself facing an evenly matched adversary in the transformed Viking. The battle raged with ferocity, hand-to-tentacle, for nearly an hour. When Xaigon’s powerful and whip-like appendages succeeded in tearing the newly attached claws from Kortan’s arms, it seemed as though victory was within his grasp. Yet, in a twist neither combatant anticipated, something extraordinary occurred.
Lobsters possess the remarkable ability to regenerate their claws through a process of molting their exoskeletons. This regeneration process begins immediately upon the loss of a limb, with a bud forming at the site of the wound. In an ordinary lobster, it may take several molts to fully restore a missing claw or limb and depending on the age of the lobster, this may be a process that takes anywhere from a year to five years total for this remarkable ability to allow for eventual regrowth.
However, imbued with the supernatural blood of the Oracles, Kortan’s regeneration defied the natural order. To the astonishment of both Xaigon and Kortan, his claws began to regenerate instantaneously. The exoskeleton formed and shed multiple times within mere seconds. In less than a minute, the missing claws were fully regrown from where Xaigon severed them.
Defeated and bewildered, Xaigon retreated into the spiraling abyss of his onyx shell. Once fully ensconced, the ominous sound of stone grinding against stone echoed through the depths as he blocked off the shell’s opening and sank slowly to the ocean floor, leaving behind a trail of bioluminescent mucus in his wake. Kortan continued his assault on the impenetrable shell where it lay at rest on the ocean floor for quite some time, his relentless blows failing to make a dent in the unnatural and unholy barrier that shielded the ancient god.
At last, conceding the futility of his efforts, Kortan abandoned the fight. He swam back to the surface, resolute in his determination to attend to other unfinished business that awaited him above the waves.
It did not take long for Kortan to locate the Klóra Karfi, despite the dense fog enshrouding the surface. Finding it was easy for him amidst the eerie, glowing waters. His newly transformed limbs, both dexterous and surefooted, allowed him to scale the side of the longship with ease, and with a mighty heave, he hoisted himself aboard the deck, where the mutineers were still celebrating their ill-gotten victory, their minds still twisted by the hallucinogenic effects of the psykothrix algae.
Kortan cleared his throat, a sound that sliced through their carousing and caused the startled men to turn and face him in horror. The only remaining vestiges of his humanity were the intricate patterns of tattoos on his chest, his furious bearded face, and his long, elaborately braided hair.
With his newfound power, Kortan exacted a brutal revenge on the mutineers, slaughtering them for their betrayal and casting their severed limbs into the sea. Having satisfied his vengeance, Kortan left the ship and ventured into the vast ocean depths. For many months, he explored the underwater realms, encountering many creatures native only to Echo Bay. Creatures both wondrous and terrifying. His journey was marked by continuous clashes with the Xaigonian Fishpeople who still believed they might find a way to best him in battle and earn the glory and recognition of Xaigon. Every Fishperson who attempted to fight him in the sand at the depths of the open waters was repaid for their efforts with death.

Közeron and the Seãkwa Tribe

The Seãkwa Tribe were living along the coast of Echo Bay for generations prior to 825 AD, their existence deeply intertwined with the rhythms of the tides and the whispers of the ocean. They held a profound belief in the spirits dwelling within the watery depths, chief among them Xaigon himself. Their rituals and traditions were inextricably linked with the natural world of the sea, as they considered themselves the guardians of its enigmatic mysteries.
According to Seãkwa tribal historians, Kortan emerged from the waves in Twilight Cove, located on the north side of their village, one sunny afternoon. He was first spotted by a pair of tribesmen who were fishing on the shore. Horrified and awestruck by his appearance, they abandoned their belongings, including a basket containing their substantial catch, and ran back to the village to alert the tribe. Kortan observed these men, picked up their abandoned basket in his claws, and followed them with a curious demeanor.
Upon his arrival at the village, Kortan found it seemingly deserted. The fishermen, known for their serious dispositions and honesty, recounted their encounter to the tribal leaders. The elders, trusting their word, sounded the alarm by blowing three times into a conch shell, prompting the entire tribe, except for one, to flee the small village. The elderly and infirm hid among the high sand dune grasses, while the young and able-bodied quietly and quickly ascended the hidden paths within the Twilight Pass cliffs. Everyone halted where they stood when Kortan arrived, with many crouching in the seagrasses along the rocky path and others watching from the cliffs with shocked amazement.
Kortan briefly surveyed the village before sighing and leaving the basket of fish at what he supposed was the village center. Observing this, the one man who had stayed behind decided to emerge from his hiding place. Talanook, a trusted member of the tribal shaman, approached Kortan with cautious reverence, sensing an immense power radiating from him. After several minutes of circling Kortan, who stood unmoving, Talanook beckoned to the villagers, signaling that it was safe to return.
No one living on land had ever seen Xaigon, so when Talanook proclaimed that this being was the manifestation of the deity in physical form, the tribe fell to their knees, offering respect and pledging their devotion. Kortan, unable to understand their language, did nothing to correct the misunderstanding and seemed to accept their worship. The tribe celebrated their fortune, believing they were in the presence of a divine entity from the sea.
As days turned into weeks, Kortan remained among the Seãkwa, gradually learning their language and lifestyle. His presence became a central part of their daily lives, integrating himself into their customs and routines. Yet, a schism began to form within the tribe, as not all members were wholly convinced of his divinity. A young warrior named Mako, known for his strength and perceptiveness, started to question Kortan’s true nature. Over time, Mako's suspicions grew, and he became convinced that this creature was not Xaigon. He began to quietly whisper to others, suggesting that Kortan was a mere usurper seeking to disrupt their sacred traditions. His skepticism resonated with many in the tribe, finding a receptive audience among the doubtful.
The division reached a breaking point when Kortan, struggling with his newfound language, mispronounced words that evoked laughter from a crowd of onlookers. Losing his temper, Kortan destroyed one of the tribe’s sacred totems, throwing it into a bonfire before retreating hastily back to the sea. He was not seen nor heard from for many days. This act of desecration was too much for Mako and his followers. They accused Talanook and the shamanic council of leading the tribe astray, sparking a fierce debate among the Seãkwa people. In a matter of days, the once-unified tribe stood on the brink of civil war.
Unable to reconcile their differences, the tribe split into two factions. Mako and his followers, steadfast in their belief that Kortan was not Xaigon, chased Talanook and his supporters out of Twilight Cove. Mako declared Twilight Cove a sacred site, insisting it should belong only to the true believers of Xaigon as the one true sea god. Talanook and his followers, still devoted to Kortan, relocated to Veil Reef Beach, on the southern end of Echo Bay.
When Kortan emerged from the waves once more, the faction remaining in the original village acted as though he were invisible. Using his limited understanding of the Seãkwa language, Kortan attempted to apologize, having finally realized that the people worshiping him believed him to be Xaigon. Despite his efforts, they ignored him entirely until one of the elders broke the silence. The elder, using simple words that Kortan mostly understood, explained where those who still loved and followed him had relocated.
Over the following weeks, Kortan learned much more of the language from his devoted followers. He gradually dispelled their misconception, explaining that he was not Xaigon. As his grasp of the language improved further, he recounted to the elders of the exiled faction how he had defeated Xaigon in hand-to-hand combat months earlier. He described how the deity had retreated into his shell to escape him. In recognition of his deeds and power, Talanook bestowed upon him the name Közeron, solidifying his new identity among the Seãkwa.
The two factions of the Seãkwa tribe continued their fierce struggle for many months, but the relentless conflict began to take a heavy toll on both sides. Leaders from each faction started to recognize the futility of their strife, and in a rare moment of unity, Talanook and Mako agreed to meet under a banner of truce. They convened at the rocky outcrop known as Spirit’s Reach, a neutral ground sacred to both factions. There, they discussed peace and the pressing need to preserve their people and traditions.
After several days of intense negotiation, a tentative peace was established. Both factions agreed to respect each other’s territories and cease hostilities. The Közerians would continue to inhabit Veil Reef Beach, while the Xaigonians would remain at Twilight Cove. They decided to share the waters and resources of Echo Bay, cooperating only when absolutely necessary to avoid further bloodshed.
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This fragile peace was maintained through a grudging commerce. The Közerian faction, with their access to the groves near Veil Reef Beach and Közeron’s knowledge of shipbuilding, excelled in crafting canoes. They traded these canoes to the Xaigonians in exchange for the right to fish the abundant waters of Twilight Cove. Even the Seãkwa who had splintered from the faction that remained at Twilight Cove recognized that these waters were the richest fishing grounds in Echo Bay. They remain so to this day, a testament to the continued devotion and sacrifices of the Xaigonian Enclave.
This arrangement, though fraught with tension, allowed both factions to thrive. The Közerians used their shipbuilding skills to explore new waters and expand their trade, while the Xaigonians, with their deep connection to Xaigon, continued their sacred rituals and maintained the fertility of their fishing grounds. The peace forged at Spirit’s Reach endured, a delicate balance of mutual respect and necessity, shaping the destiny of the Seãkwa people for generations to come.
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It’s a bit of a long winded story and just need to vent. So buckle in!
For context, I (30f) am the black sheep of the family. My family are conservative (think stereotypical posh English) whereas I’m not, I’m down to earth, blunt and a metal head even though I don’t look it. I have tattoos that aren’t visible with my normal clothes on and only a nose piercing and ear piercings and gingery brown hair. I am the youngest of 3 with an older sister (38) and brother (32). My parents are in their 60s but divorced when I was around 6 years old and both are conservative as well. All of us have been pushed to be the best by my dad and pushed that we have to be earning over £35k in the area we live in to be successful to him which is no easy feat to say the least.
My brother and sister are the golden children who can do no wrong whereas whatever I do is wrong, my siblings have always been condescending and disrespectful towards me, as a kid I thought it was normal and tried to be a people pleaser to my sister and parents, but my brother and I always butted heads and physically fought. During family events my brother would make passive aggressive comments towards me during the whole event until I snap and give him a piece of my mind, as soon as I do I have everyone at my throat for being nasty and aggressive and my brother isn’t at any fault. My sister and brother both try to find opportunities to scold me or talk down to me so at events (Christmas and family outings) I sit by my self and don’t utter a word while they ignore my existence. I have always been depressed about the family dynamic and couldn’t understand until I was older that I was the black sheep of the family. Even though all of us went to school, college and university but I had to drop out after becoming a single mum at 27.
I moved to a completely different city back in 2018 as a clean break for myself, away from my family and better work opportunities. In that time I rented a flat on my own, worked in numerous industries including all areas of business, education, the health sector and in social care, so I’m a Jack of all trades thanks to my undiagnosed ADHD. In this time I would see my family around about 2 to 3 times a year and barely have any contact with them and it was the happiest time of my life.
After some time I met my ex and fell pregnant but unfortunately that relationship didn’t last to reasons I won’t put on here and went back to my home town when my son was 3 months old. Thankfully I managed to get a house and make the best of what we have.
The strained relationship with the family resumed and things have gone back to the old routine. Fast forward my son is 3 now and he shows signs of being ASD (autistic), he is the sweetest and most loveable little boy that melts hearts, my life is complete with him in my life. He is favoured by my dad because he’s the next man of the family, but he gets frustrated because my son is non verbal and makes repetitive humming noises, that and my dad doesn’t know how to handle him or help with his meltdowns. My mum doesn’t mind him and my step dad absolutely dotes on him and understands him to the same level as me. My siblings don’t understand him at all or even want to understand him so he’s ignored like me the majority of the time.
This last Christmas was my tipping point with my siblings where I stopped all contact with them and washed my hands of them. Throughout Christmas they would find reasons to start shouting at me and obviously this kept upsetting my son who is sensitive to loud sounds. the first was when my son tried to sit on the edge of a unit that had some things behind him, they screamed at me to move him while I only had 1 arm free to try move him while I had a drink in the other hand all the while my son was upset and trying to turn in on himself and no one provided help. The last straw was my niece (sister daughter) wouldn’t leave my son alone when he needed alone time after sensory overload and even asking her nicely with her pet name, she still kept getting in his space and making him upset. After about the 29th time of asking while doing a voice you’d use for a wounded animal and using her pet name my sister went into full attack mode followed by my brother and then my sisters fiancé all at once to stop telling the niece off. My son and I left swiftly after that.
After talking to my mum who understands my son completely brushed me off and and said she didn’t want to know. This is her regular go to when I try to talk to her about the issues. She favours my siblings and niece and even my sisters dog more than us, always ready to accept babysitting or dog sitting duties whereas it’s inconvenient for me ask for 2 hours of their time while I do important tasks or ask for help. I spend all my free time decorating a whole house on my own and deep cleaning on odd weekends when my son is at his dads house so the house is presentable and comfortable for my son.
Last weekend was my sons birthday and spoke to my mum throughout the week to spend time with her and my step dad on his birthday. On the day of, my dad collected us so my son can choose his birthday presents and spend time with him. But later on my mum messaged that she and my step dad were too tired and had my sister around with her and my sister was around with my niece. So I asked if they were going to leave my son out on his own birthday without seeing his family, she reluctantly bought us over but didn’t even wish my son a happy birthday, give him many special treatment and just talked to my sister and napped on the sofa. I had brought a cake so we could sing happy birthday to him, but no one would partake. They didn’t even give him any birthday presents or cards. When we got home I made a special show of singing happy birthday with his candles lit on his cake then he could feel his day was special. I was heartbroken that my family couldn’t even let him feel special on his own birthday. Am I wrong for expecting so much? Now I’m in the mindset of what I need to do. Part of me is struggling what to do because I’ve been used to this treatment for so long, but part of me wants to cut all contact for both me and my son and help my anxiety, self esteem and depression caused by them. But the issue is we do not have any other support network other than a couple of friends. I would love to move to a new city and start fresh without all of them, but I am stuck here, unsure of what to do and what I can do, I’m completely alone in this and a full time cater. Any advice?
Sorry for the long tangent!

the phrase is “death before dishonour” i’ve tried a few online translators but every one gives a different answers, some help would be greatly appreciated :)

Hey guys , I've been wanting to get a tattoo , I'm not really sure but I want one of those , maybe both :
身 在 无 间 ， 心 在 桃 源 。 Body in abyss, heart in paradise (I know this one is popular among y'all for tattoos😌)
重要的是你，而不是怎样的你。 What matter is you, not the state of you
Would the second one would be okay for a tattoo ? But first of all I would want to know if the writing is good , I think the writing is okay but I still want confirmation. And for the tattoo part I'd like to know if a more traditional writing or in caligraphy I guess would be better than a computer font ? I know it's more about preference but how could I get to write the sentences in a more traditional style ? Like is there any apps for that ? I'm afraid to mess it up if I try by myself since I only wrote while learning a bit the language so it's a bit computer-like.
Also this would be my first tattoo if I really do it so I don't really know where to place it . Do you have any recommendations? And my family is half Chinese (they don't speak Mandarin, most of them speak another Chinese dialect) and I'm pretty sure tattoos has a bad reputation among them so somewhere discret would do it 😭 (Sorry for my bad English and thank you in case you help me 🙏🏼 )

Hi I’m 25, I have been drawing about 2 years now -self taught and try to take art classes at my community center, study every day even if it’s 5 minutes, overall just trying to grow as an Artist.
My end goal is to be a tattoo artist and work in color realism but I’m open to learn all styles..anything to grow and advance.
I worked at 2 Tattoo shops in my small hometown and both were not a good experience, many reasons…and I ended up having to come back to work my normal job to get out of some debt…Majority of all other tattoo shops in my town are very raggedy (for lack of a better word) and it’s mostly just young adults that are not willing to teach and tattoo the same styles :/
I have the opportunity to go to Spain and most of the artists I admire are in Spain. I would love to move and try to get a job and study my art skills while apprenticing at a studio but I don’t even know where I would start. I would have to support myself financially, I plan to start an online business soon so I hope to have that running to support myself , but after that I’m not sure how to continue my studies?
Would it be best to just build up a portfolio and try to visit shops once I arrive, should I grow some of my art skills first by finding some public art classes in Spain? (Although I don’t even know if I could find some in English or how I would go about that), maybe just keep growing as an artist on my own and try to look for a shop when my skills are good enough?
Idk I guess just looking for any advice or if anyone has had a similar experience…
Thank you so much.