I went grocery shopping and there was a jar of coconut spread but it's bean based. I'm so excited to try it! The nutritional values are interesting.
Numbers: !> 250 cals, 17% suga23% carbs, 17% fat, 4% protein!<
From a very niche shop in my little area so I don't want to doxx myself but I think if you blend white beans, coconut milk, ground coconut, sugar, and vanilla, you'll get pretty close to that. First people made bean cake for calories (i know asian bean cakes exist but.. I mean the other ones :D), now we get sweet spread. What is this life 😍

FYI, this is a story COLLECTION. Lots of standalones technically. So, you can basically start to read at any chapter, no pre-read of the other chapters needed technically (other than maybe getting better descriptions of characters than: Adam Vir=human, Krill=antlike alien, Sunny=tall alien, Conn=telepathic alien). The numbers are (mostly) only for organization of posts and continuity.
OC Written by Charlie Stastarrfallknightrise,
Typed up and then posted here by me.
Proofreading and language check for some chapters by u/Finbar9800
Future Lore and fact check done by me.
Another new alien race! WOOOOO
Also to all arachnophobes: I am sorry…I guess just imagine eight legged dogs the size of horses if that helps…
Previous First [Next](link)
"So, you're telling me we found another sapient omnivore species?"
The commander grunted, ripping his boot from a watery patch of mud and nearly crashing into the swampy water between two twisted tree roots.
Sunny reached out with one of her four armored arms and caught him by the back of his pack, pulling him upright.
He nodded a thanks to her and adjusted his gear.
Behind her Ramirez ducked under a low hanging branch, slogging through a pool of knee-high water, adjusting the containment pod, holding Krill more comfortably over both shoulders.
Krill, comfortable and warm inside his containment pod, watched the marines, scientists, and a linguist struggle through the mud under a covering of impossibly tall, twisted trees, their canopy blocking out all light that might have dared cut downwards towards the watery floor below.
"Not entirely sapient, I suppose."
Krill answered,
"Unfortunately the way in which they communicate is going to drastically reduce their ability to create complex structures and perform mathematical equations."
Together they maneuvered themselves over a root, which at some point in the distant past, had decided to grow upwards instead of down. At about four feet high, it had changed its mind and arched back down into the water. Perhaps it had been smaller then, but at four feet wide, the root was an absolute monstrosity now.
The trees themselves were massive, challenging, and sometimes outgrowing the legendary redwood forests of the western Americas, but unlike the redwoods, these trees didn't stand tall and proud. Instead, they chose a twisted path much like the branching veins which made up a human vascular system. They twisted and undulated, interlocking past each other with branches that were well over two feet wide in many cases, and stretching to over four feet wide in others.
No one direction was good enough, and the trees twisted, ducked swirled and reached, grasping for any sort of light to be found.
On top of the darkness cast by the trees and the soggy nature of the forest floor, it was also horribly hot and humid, giving the impression of a microwaved wet blanket thrown over the world. Where heat from the upper canopy met the cooler air of deep forest pools, it created a perpetually thick mist which writhed and undulated through the trees, leaving only the shadowy impressions of twisted trunks and clawing branches past distances greater than 50 feet (15m).
"They communicate primarily through pheromones and heat modulation. From what I understand, the language in itself isn't precise, and really only works in generalities and feelings than it does in absolutes."
Commander Vir kicked a rotting log out of the way, ducking as a massive green bug buzzed over his head and into the fog.
Turns out the hotter and more humid a planet gets, the bigger the bugs get,
"But we were still able to communicate with them?”
Krill nodded from inside his case,
"Yes, generally speaking. For a species that cannot communicate in absolutes, I hear they are quite reasonable. They seem willing to accept our friendship, and have..... invited, I guess, us to participate in some sort of primitive ritual."
Vir perked up, flashing a bright smile.
“Reasonable? Peaceful? Rituals? And definitely CANNOT communicate in ABSOLUTES!? Am I the only one who thinks that sounds familiar?”
Sunny sighed,
“No Adam I am reasonably sure that they are not Jedis…”
“C’mon, that would be so cool! Like lightsabers, the force and stuff… maybe they look like tiny Yodas? I mean it fits, with the swamp, the speech impairment and all…”
He nearly fell over another root.
“Adam, focus. We have a mission here.”
The commander nodded, scrambling over another tree branch,
"Alright, so... where are these things anyway? How do they look?"
His boots hit solid ground, covered in some sort of wet spongy fungus and he glanced down at his GPS.
“Considering they talk by smell, my bet is on Elephants with giant human noses. What do you think Mav?”
Ramirez turned around to look at Maverick, who had stopped walking.
“…”
“Mav?”
“Giant… fucking spiders…”
“…”
Commander Vir was still looking at his GPS and no one else answered, so without looking up he broke the silence and said:
“Wow you are always so negative; it better not be, I want my space Yodas…”
“…”
“…”
More silence.
This time it was broken by Ramirez.
“Giant fucking spiders… with… Wolfheads!?”
The commander was still diddling around with the GPS in his hands.
“Oh not you too Ramirez, also that’s oddly specific, you always had a pretty cruel imagination. Ah there we go I think it’s that way.”
He said, looking up from his GPS to keep moving.
“…”
“…”
After some steps he realized no one was following him, so he stopped and turned around.
Behind him the other marines were dead silent, heads lifted towards the sky in shock.
"FUCK ME."
One of the marines whispered, scrambling back behind a tree root.
Commander Vir turned and nearly fell into the water again, eyes locked onto the creatures descending from high above.
They were huge, about the size of large horses, and horrifically spider like in their construction, or perhaps an ant. They had large-scale abdomens connected to a thinner thorax. All together they had ten appendages, three pairs of spider-like legs on the abdomen which, instead of ending in a pod or foot, ended in a sharp pointed spike. On the abdomen, they had two arm-like appendages, with too many joints and strange wavy tentacles instead of fingers.
The head was just as disconcerting.
It seemed too large for the body, grossly out of proportion and strangely out of place, like some cosmic sentience had used a random animal generator to assign parts to its body.
The head was wolflike, if you were to strip the skin and fur away, leaving only the muscle underneath. You could see the line of teeth running up either side of the muzzle, while the large red-pink ears rotated continuously.
Commander Vir had backed himself into the bowl of a tree eyes wide. Sunny slogged herself up from the water, placing herself between the strange spidery creatures and the human.
They didn't descend like a spider might, on threads of silk, but they used their back six feet, and the spikes on the end to dig into the bark of the trees with a disconcerting thud thud thud thud.
Finally the largest of the creatures reached the ground, surprisingly silent for its massive bulk.
Glancing around Sunnys tensed body, he noticed something he hadn't before, and that was a strange small mass gripping onto the spidery creature's underbelly. Upon closer inspection he counted ten legs and a surprisingly spidery head buried against its underside... a completely separate creature holding on to its companion.
Behind the largest creature, he noted ANOTHER type of creature. It boasted the same sort of structure as the large creature, but its abdomen was devoid of scales, and covered in strange black bulbs suctioned onto its body by way of a strange, sticky black-green webbing. Its head was also constructed differently more like a lizard than a wolf, with large bulbous eyes that could rotate behind its own head to look in all directions.
Commander Vir fiddled nervously with the advanced translation headset he wore, strapped to his helmet, supposedly it was supposed to be able to understand what these things were saying.
"Sky... friends."
The translation was somewhat garbled, but he understood it was the large wolf-head who spoke.
He walked forward, pushing Sunny gently to the side despite her clear reluctance,
"Yes, we are friends, and we are here to offer peace to you, and the assistance of the Galactic Assembly."
He wasn't entirely sure how that was going to translate over in smell, but the creature seemed happy lifting its head and gnashing its large canine teeth.
"Agreement... for a favor."
Commander Vir grew unsure then, letting off a reluctant,
"What favor?”
The spidery shape moved closer sniffing at him with its large wolffish nose. Sunny stiffened at his side, and he put a hand on her arm to calm her.
"Ritual... you watch and help."
"None of us will get hurt... will we?"
The creature stopped and pondered the question for a long moment,
"No danger... live... healthy... happy."
Commander Vir nodded slowly,
"Alright, what do we have to do?"
The creature hefted its large bulk, and turned in the opposite direction,
"Follow."
It commanded, scuttling off into the trees.
[…]
"This is very interesting."
Krill was saying to one of the accompanying scientists, who nodded vigorously in agreement.
"What's so interesting?”
Commander Vir whispered, from where he stood at the edge of yet another, but larger fungus covered clearing, watching as the creatures scuttled back and forth.
The scientist learned in in excitement,
"It seems that these creatures have a ternary gender system."
Before the commander could ask, the scientist continued,
"For ease of speech, the large ones are the females, and those things on their bellies are probably the males. The medium ones are the third gender, the 'they' if you will. It looks like the male impregnates the female who then attaches the eggs to the third party. Dr. Krill tells me that the third party have a very high heat signature, probably to incubate the young. Those attachments probably provide nutrients into the egg and may even transfer DNA over as well."
"Wow... freaky."
The commander muttered in fascination.
"Kind of gross if you ask me."
Sunny muttered.
"I'm with her. Its kinky, but too kinky for me…"
Ramirez muttered, receiving a few nods from the other marines.
"Oh please."
Krill whispered,
"I know what human reproduction is like, and it's arguable way worse."
The scientist waved them all off,
"The big one there, the one that's been talking to us. I think she's the queen, and judging from those egg sacks, this is probably mating season, if they have one."
"Creepy, but cool, I guess."
The captain muttered. They watched for a little longer as the queen scuttled around the clearing and then returned to look at them, lowering her meaty wolffish head to the commander's eye level.
"Ritual... find... eggkeeper."
She scuttled away.
"Oh... this is some sort of… Mating ritual maybe? To choose that third party you were talking about?”
"This isn't exactly the kind of "Mating ritual" I wanted to see."
Ramirez muttered. The other marines turned to look at him with raised eyebrows. Sunny stuck her tongue out in disgust.
Off in the clearing, some of the smaller females had moved themselves onto the high branches scuttling through the trees to examine the "they" who waited patiently. It appeared that side was very important in the ritual, as they all fought for the largest counterpart. Once found, the wolffish head would lower, and open up to reveal a tube under the tongue. From there she would... disgorge the egg onto the abdomen of the 'they' and the mucus would solidify to hold them on.
"It has to do with size."
Krill hissed,
"But it seems that it has more to do with heat. The big ones only get chosen more because they also happen to be warmer than the smaller ones. I'd say they incubate at an average of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so 32 degrees Celsius."
They watched this for a while, the scientists taking notes and the marines making inappropriate jokes.
Eventually most of the creatures had finished, leaving only the queen left over.
Everything went still when she began to move, and she scuttled around the clearing, looking over all the available 'theys' she could find, but she just didn't seem satisfied.
Commander Vir tugged at the collar of his jacket, a line of sweat dripping down his face.
She continued her circuit once and then twice; at some point she turned her head, large eyes locking on the humans.
She sniffed at them.
The human laughter died as she advanced.
"What is she doing?"
The commander muttered under his breath.
The scientist that stood next to him, hidden partially behind Sunny, answered
"I... I'm not sure."
She scuttled even closer, and the humans backed away.
"Hey doc... didn't you say something about... them being attracted to heat? And like the “they’s” being around 90 F/32 Celsius?”
Ramirez wondered, hiding himself behind a root.
"Yeah... I did, why?”
"Not to freak anyone out or anything but... isn't average human heat about 98.6 Fahrenheit… so 37 degrees Celsius?"
”FUCK!”
”OH NONONONONO!”
”HIIIIDE!”
”RUUUN!”
What followed was a rather violent game of nose goes, but instead of involving touching one’s nose to see who was the last person standing, it involved a mad rush to reduce body heat.
The smartest marines took the initiative and dove into the water beside the clearing, completely submerging themselves under the surface.
Others chose to cover whatever exposed skin they might have had in mud, as if to mask the heat.
Still others chose to cut and run.
Unfortunately, with his position at the head of the group, commander Vir wasn't fast enough.
She came at him in a scuttling rush, and in a frantic leap to get away, his boot caught on a root and he hit the ground hard.
Sunny tried to leap in front of him, but was bowled over by the mad rushing form.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!"
Commander Vir repeated, scuttling backwards across the ground, as the large spidery shape loomed over him.
He stopped dead in his tracks, backed against a tree root.
She leaned closer.
He raised his hands above his head blocking his face,
"Please don't lay your eggs in me. Please don't lay your eggs in me."
She reached out one of her forward hands, surprisingly delicate, as she cut through the first layers of his jacket, and shirt.
They fell away in slices revealing the pale human skin underneath red and sticky with the tropical heat.
His chest and abdomen heaved with his breath as he tried to scramble away, but she caught him with the prong of one of her back legs pinning him in place.
"Fuck... Help... HELP."
Sunny wasn't fast enough, having been tipped head over heels into the water, with the rest of the marines in similar positions, Krill contained inside his tube unable to help but also unable to look away.
She lowered her head, and the man screamed. It was cold, gelatinous and slimy at first, but even as it touched open air, he could feel it fusing against his skin solidifying. He thrashed and wriggled, but she was far too strong holding him in place.
Finally though, she backed away, leaving him panting on the ground shaking and trembling leg throbbing where he had been pinned.
She leaned her head down to examine him,
"Warm."
They locked eyes,
"Friends... now... Keep them... warm."
She retreated, and he struggled to his knees, turning to look down at his body which was now partially obscured by a sticky pod of six black eggs, pulled tight against his skin. His hands were shaking, as he reached down to touch them, cold and smooth.
He tried tugging on one, but nearly fainted at the pain it caused against his skin.
The creatures were withdrawing back into the trees, leaving him kneeling on the fungus, hands trembling as looked downwards.
Sunny was the first to recover, scrambling out of the water and over to him, placing a hand on his back as she examined the strange eggs attached to his skin,
"Mother of-"
The marines cut her off as they came wriggling from the trees,
"Commander, commander are you ok..."
One of the marines cut around front, frozen in his tracks, eyes wide once he saw,
"WHAT THE HELL!"
Sunny reached out as if to tug on one of them,
"NO!"
He snapped, jerking away from her.
The others gathered around to look with exclamations of shock and disgust.
The commander looked up at Sunny pleadingly.
She decided to take charge, helping him to his feet and then pulling him into her arms,
"We have to get him back to the ship, let's move, NOW!"
"What do you think, Dr."
Dr. Katie examined the scan with a frown,
"It's very, very strange, that's for sure."
Commander Vir lifted his head to look down at them,
"Well what the HELL does that mean?”
Krill shoved his head back onto the table,
"Stay still."
Dr. Katie hummed softly as she continued to examine the scans,
"It looks like these little filaments have breached the skin ... and.... well at least one of them has made it to your liver, this one here has made it to your lungs."
"What about white blood count?"
Krill wondered,
"The body must have noticed something by now?"
Dr Katie shook her head,
"Nothing, the body seems to have accepted it. I took some samples and... well I think I might know why."
She rolled herself to the side in her chair and over to one of the adjoining computers,
"See this, this is HIS DNA ...and this is the DNA of the strands."
Krill pearled over her shoulder,
"What the... they look almost identical."
"Yes... I don't think the body knows anything is wrong."
She turned her chair back around to look at the commander,
"Congratulations commander, you are perhaps, in the weirdest way possible, the only man in the history of existence who might just experience the miracle of life. You are going to be a dad!"
The look on his face made it clear he wasn't interested in being congratulated,
"What the actual fuck does that mean?"
He snapped, Dr. Katie rolled closer,
"Well, to explain in terms you may understand. You are doing more than keeping them warm. Those filaments that you saw are acting like umbilical cords. The one at your liver is using it as a filter, and to take in nutrients as it seems to have branching filaments to the stomach and intestines. The one going to your lungs is taking in carbon... not sure what that's going to do to your breathing if anything. But at this point I don't think that even Dr. Krill, as good as he is, can remove them. We would have to remove too much of your internal structure to it to be viable, plus they don't seem to be hurting you."
"Not hurting me! NOT HURTING ME! You said it yourself they are SUCKING OUT MY VITAL JUICES."
Dr. Katie shrugged,
"Welcome to pregnancy... sort of.”**
”Look we will monitor you, make sure they aren't sucking away to many nutrients. Look on the bright side, you can probably eat more, and judging from an analysis of the egg sacks, the average gestational period is only around two months."
"TWO MONTHS!?"
Sunny, who had been standing next to the man at the head of the exam table, couldn't suppress a short chirp of laughter.
He glowered at her,
"What's so funny!?"
She chirped again placing a hand on his arm,
"You're gonna be a mom."
If looks could kill, shed be reduced to a singularity,
"Get your hand off me or ill break it in half!"
She continued chirping but removed her hand just in case.
This was going to be a very awkward call to the UNSC and the GA.
For that matter, it was going to be a very awkward call home.
Previous First [Next](link)
Intro post by me
OC-whole collection
Patreon of the author
Thanks for reading! As you saw in the title, this is a cross posted story written by starrfallknightrise and I'll just upload some of it here for you guys, if you are interested and want to read ahead, the original story-collection can be found on tumblr or wattpad to read for free. (link above this text under "OC:..." ) It is the Empyrean Iris story collection by starfallknightrise. Also, if you want to know more about the story collection i made an intro post about it, so feel free to check that out to see what other great characters to look forward to! (Link also above this text). I have no affiliations to the author; just thought I’d share some of the great stories you might enjoy a lot!
Obviously, I have Charlie’s permission to post this and for the people already knowing the stories, or starting to read them: If you follow the link and check out the story you will see some differences. I made some small (non-artistic) changes, mainly correcting writing mistakes, pronoun correction and some small additional info here and there of things which were not thought of/forgotten or even were added/changed in later stories (like the “USS->UNSC” prefix of Stabby, Chalar=/->Sunny etc). As well as some "biggemajor" changes in descriptions and info’s for the same stringency/continuity reason. That can be explained by the story collection being, well a story collection at the start with many standalone-stories just starring the same people, but later on it gets more to a stringent storyline with backstories and throwbacks. (For example Adam Vir has some HEAVY scars over his body, following his bones, which were not really talked about up till half the collection, where it says it covers his whole body and you find out via backflash that he had them the whole time and how he got them, they just weren't mentioned before. However, I would think a doctor would at least see these scars before that, especially since he gets analyzed, treated and goes shirtless/in T-shirts in some stories). So TLDR: Writing and some descriptions are slightly changed, with full OK from the author, since he himself did not bother to correct these things before.

Credit to u/SpacePaladin15 for his amazing worldbuilding.
[First]-[Previous]-[Next]
~~~~
Sorry for the delay, I was again busy with a university project. Woe be upon me for I forgot the NOP: in the title.
~~~~
Memory transcription subject: Ryan West, Runner Date [standardized human time]: November 25th, 2136.
It’s hard to tell if you’re moving in space. If there’s no close point of reference it can feel like you’re motionless. The engines run at quarter capacity to lower our heat signature. Even with our target, the green, barren moon of Turadus, in sight I can’t tell if we’re approaching or slowly drifting away. I sink into my seat and close my eyes, a bit tired.
“Would the Nevok actually attack the ship if they detected it?” I ask Tsanma as she manually pilots the ship.
“No, it’s very unlikely they’d take any direct action, especially against a cargo ship. But the intel the Countess can provide will be more useful if the Imperium is unaware that we possess it.”
“I see.” I say halfheartedly. I open my eyes again and the moon seems to have gotten a bit closer.
***
The station comes into view, various metal structures and domes poked from the green rock. The surface of the moon was very jagged, like an emerald badland. I make sure I’m out of view of the camera as Tsanma hails the station. The visage of a masked Nevok appears.
“Hello Compact representative, you are clear to land at bay two.” Tsanma dips her head in response and the feed cuts as quickly as it started.
I head to the back of the ship, I’ll be waiting in the bunks until we leave. We’ve done nothing but stare at a slowly approaching moon for nearly half a day. It's been the most exhausting part of the job so far.
Memory transcription subject: Reossa, Nevok Imperium Countess Date [standardized human time]: November 25th, 2136.
“Oh Lady,” Maylak is on the verge of tears, “must you leave? The estate is so safe.” She holds my bag for me as we walk to the landing bay; she’s not been taking it well.
“The plot came directly from the capital Maylak, it’s safe for now, but it’s only a matter of time before the Imperium sends someone here. Then none of you will be safe.” A small entourage of my personal servants has conglomerated in the steel halls as I walk. Most have taken the news with somber acceptance, but Maylak has been my chambermaid since she was a kitten.
I push through the doors to the bay, the small crowd stopping at the doors. Some cry their final goodbye, some just stand in silence. I see the fissan standing at the top of a small landing platform, she must be the captain. I grab my bag from Maylak who whines and holds it for a moment longer than she should have, I walk towards the ship. As I approach, the fissan dips her head in greeting.
“Hello Lady Roessa, I am Tsanma, a representative of the Fissan Compact.” She says with the flat tone of one who’s recited the phrase a thousand times before.
“Hello Tsanma, I hope my background doesn’t invoke any hostility between us.” I’d weighed my options of who to go to for a long time. In the end the Fissans were the closest, and obviously had a great deal to gain from my cooperation.
“Nonsense, the Compact is always open to those willing to do business.” I almost instinctively voice an objection to the statement. No point in wasting breath defending an empire that wants me dead.
“Alright, please, show me where I’ll be-” I’m cut off by a cry from Maylak, she runs towards me, jumping over a guard who tries to stop her.
“Please Lady, I need to come with you,” she grabs onto one of my paws with both of her own. I’m shocked she’d go this far. I look over to Tsanma pleadingly.
“She can come, we have enough room for the both of you.” she says. I sigh, it had taken a lot of mental preparation for what I thought would be the rest of life servantless, what a waste.
“Then I suppose,” I look to Maylak, “you can come.” she signals joy with her tail. She quickly sprints back into the crowd of servants by the door, and comes back holding her own bag.
“My Lady, you won’t regret it.” She says, holding the small bag.
“You seem prepared.” I give, she holds her ears down in shame though her tail still says joy.
“A very touching scene, but please hurry, we have a schedule to meet.” Tsanma says as she walks back into the ship. Maylak and I follow her in. “I’ll go over everything once we’re voidborne, for now please just sit down.” She mans the ship and the engines begin to lightly rumble. The rumbling quickly eases as we leave the artificial gravity of the station. Tsanma activates auto-pilot and the ship begins a very slow ascent from the moon’s green surface.
“I can’t help but notice the lack of personnel. Where is everyone?” I ask.
“We keep our cargo ship crew light. I’m knowledgeable enough in ship maintenance that a dedicated mechanic is unnecessary. Though currently we have an exceptionally low crew.”
“Who else is there?” Maylak asks.
“Besides myself we have a single security contractor on board. I’ll show you around the ship.” Tsanma walks out of the cockpit, pointing to the various rooms of the ship.
Only two crewmembers? I consider as she points to a closed door,
“This is the dorm room you’ll be staying in.” She doesn’t open the door and continues the small tour. After a short time we’re back in the cockpit. “I hope you find the ship acceptable for our short journey.” She sits in the pilot seat and deactivates the auto-pilot.
“I’ll go prepare your quarters my Lady.” Maylak says as she walks out. Half a second later Tsanma turns back to her,
“Wait!” she says, the slight delay of the translators stopped the words from reaching her before she left the cockpit. Tsanma sighs, but just looks forward in her seat.
“What’s the matter? I presume the security guard was in the room but I’m certain Maylak won’t disturb them.”
“That’s not exactly the issue.” she says.
“Well what’s-” I hear a scream come from the back of the ship, my ears shoot up in alert. “Maylak!?” I run out of the cockpit, I hear a loud deep voice yell,
“Fuck, OW!” I almost run into Maylak as she comes sprinting out of the dorms.
“LADY IT- THERE- A- AH-” She speaks erratically, placing a hand on my shoulder. A large body comes from the door, a clawless hand rubs its face as it groans. Maylak scurries behind me. The being is without fur save a long patch that comes from its head to its back, unfamiliar clothes cover most of its body. A single piercing eye peaks through it’s hand.
“Ah, you must be the Countess, and…”, it looks between Maylak and I. Neither of us say anything for a few long moments.
“Are you a human?” I ask. It removes it’s hand from it’s face, revealing it’s second forward facing eye. The gaze is nearly paralyzing, but I maintain my composure.
“Tsanma didn’t explain to you? I’m the security detail.” I feel Maylak release her paw from my shoulder as she slumps to the ground, unconscious.
“A fine mess you’ve made Ryan, and in only a few minutes since we’ve left.” Tsanma’s voice comes from behind me.
“I hardly see how this is my fault.” He says as he walks towards Maylak, he stops right before he’s upon me and says, “Ah, I’m just going to lay her on one of the beds. Also, who is who?” He carefully grabs Maylak under her legs and neck. The sight of the predator holding her shoots fear through me. The only thing keeping me calm is the assurance that the Compact wouldn’t bring a predator if it was a danger to me. I repeated this fact through my head like a mantra.
“The one who didn’t faint is the Countess, Reossa.” Tsanma answers for me, “The one you hold is one of her servants.” The man, Ryan was his name? He looks at Maylak as he listens to Tsanma.
“I see, well if she wakes up in my arms she’ll probably have a heart attack.” He walks into the dorms. I feel my heart rate lower as he leaves my sight. I turn to Tsanma,
“Why a human?” A much more direct question than I hoped for, but the stress made it come out.
“Various reasons, chiefly their intimidation factor. The strength is certainly another qualifier.” She says as if it weren’t a mad calculation. A moment later Ryan comes back from the dorms.
“Also, I’m a really good dancer.” Ryan adds. Tsanma lowers her horn slightly towards him.
“We will not discuss that event in the presence of the Countess.” she says sternly, causing Ryan to give a small, rhythmic growl.
“Anyways, I’m a bit hungry,” he checks his holopad, “I’m eating.” He walks into the kitchen and Tsanma returns to the cockpit. He’s eating? What would he eat? Images of the human tearing into dead flesh made me sick, but a morbid curiosity consumed me.
Certainly they wouldn’t keep flesh on the ship. I peek into the kitchen and see Ryan procuring various tools. He flips a switch on the counter, and a small flame raises from a burner.
“You need something,” he pauses for a moment, considering his words, “countess?” He says unsure, “Sorry I’m not sure what would be an appropriate way to address you.”
“Just Reossa is fine.” I say, I don’t want to make the predator see me as above him, a contender for dominance. “But no, I’m just curious.”
“About?” He procures a small bag from the refrigerator and I sit in a metal chair.
“What you’re making.” I don’t know where the bravado to risk a glimpse of dead flesh came from.
“Oh, I’m making stir fry,” he dumps a small amount of oil into the pan, fat oils? I shutter slightly. “It’s like, well actually the name says it all, basically you put anything in a pan and stir it as it cooks. Though I don’t have a wok so it’s a bit hard.” he tears open the bag and a large amount of mixed Fissan vegetables falls into the pan. “I’m not sure what most of these are called actually. Tsanma keeps on telling me but I never eat any of them separate from the rest. Er, I guess I know the white beans are called urag beans, but that’s it.”
“And that’s all you’re having?” I ask
“Oh, you’re right, I’m missing something.” he returns to the fridge and my heart rate spikes, he must’ve forgotten the flesh. He pulls out a small opaque jar. He returns to the burner and opens the jar, he puts a spoon in and out, a small glob of black goo comes with it. He flicks the substance into the pan.
“What is that?” My eyes are wide, congealed blood?
“Uh, some sort of bean sauce, It’s a bit sweet, I don’t remember what it’s called though.”
“You’re not eating,” I shrink in the seat, “flesh?” I add quietly. He pauses, continuing to stir in the pan. He says nothing for a few moments.
“I know you probably think Tsanma is crazy or whatever for having a predator on board. But it’s not like she’s emotionless, eh? Please don’t go lookin’ at her like you do at me, she wouldn’t keep meat on the ship.” I was relieved for a moment before realizing the implication; he’d keep meat on the ship if he could, it’s merely not allowed. Neither of us speak for a moment.
“Well!” He says suddenly, “Want to try some when it’s done?” He asks. I consider the proposition, I saw everything he added, none of it seemed poisoned or from a living being. I quickly recall the oil he put in,
“What type of oil was that?”
“I don’t know, something fissan probably, Tsanma just called it ‘oil’.”
“Then, I will accept.” We sit in silence for a while until he declares the food ready, he walks towards a small cabinet with securely held bowls and plates. He grabs two bowls and fills them, he places one in front of me and sits across the table.
“I feel a bit bad, I gave you almost half of what I got but,” his eyes run up my body, “you’re about half my size though, so I guess it works out. I hope it’s up to your standards.” He quickly starts eating, when his mouth opens, the slightly lustrous, dulled ends of canines flash into sight. I find my attention drawn to his mouth every time it opens. I take a scoop of the food, various vegetables sit on the spoon, wilted from the heat. I put the spoon in my mouth.
“It’s alright. For someone who doesn’t know what they’re cooking, you did well.” He quickly finishes his food before I’m done half of my own.
“Alright, I’ll be with Tsanma, when you’re done we need to go over sleeping schedules.” I swish my tail to signify I understood, he seems to get what I mean, and leaves.
I slowly eat the rest of the food and look around. The internal design of the fissan ship is unfamiliar to me. I can’t name the food I’m eating. I’m on a ship with a predator. How long had it been since I had felt anything akin to this instability? I feel rootless, lost, betrayed by my nation for reasons completely unknown to me. With the fear of the predator subsiding, I realize it wasn’t the worst of what I felt. Perhaps this is why I stayed and watched him. I wish he was back so I could replace this feeling with fear and detest. I put another spoonful of the food into my mouth. I close my eyes as I chew— a tear falls into the bowl. I had lied; the food was amazing.
Memory transcription subject: Nittal, Takkan Mercenary Date [standardized human time]: November 25th, 2136.
I rhythmically tap a claw on the dashboard of the ship. The Imperium requested we give them the ship’s landing location, the fact that it had landed on the moon was supposedly a big deal. I wasn’t happy to be kept waiting after tailing the fissan ship manually, in real space for such a long time. Suddenly the ship is hailed from Turadus, Laz quickly answers the call. The visage of our contractor appears on screen.
“Hello, the deal is being updated,” I almost yell an objection before he continues, “we’re increasing your pay,” typically the ‘deal being updated’ was code for ‘we’re screwing you’, I quickly calm down “There’s a nevok that was picked up by the fissan ship, we want you to kill her. If you can confirm her death there’s another hundred thousand credits in the deal.”
“We will gladly take that update.” I give.
“Great. Since the ship took such great lengths to avoid detection from the colony, they’ll no doubt be doing the same while leaving. You’ll have plenty of time to intercept them on their path. Do not fail us.” The feed cuts, always so direct these people, but I wasn’t complaining.
The ship is currently resting in a small crevice on the surface of Turadus’ moon. For a bit the ship had been visible with the naked eye. I resist the urge to merely gun the ship down, we’d have to dock in order to capture the fissan agent. That means waiting until they were out of the moon's gravity well. Laz sits in the seat watching the radar, those stimulants were a godsend, neither of us were a bit tired. If anything I felt excited, dangerously so. By the great dissolution, this mission will be a test of will more so than anything.

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Back First Next
As promised Chapter 2. See you Friday. Also thank you all for the positive reinforcement and being generally encouraging, that is a fresh change of breathe I did not expect.
​
Memory Transcription: Captain Neil Campbell, United Nations ‘Black Watch’ Company #4
Date [standardized human time]: December 3, 2136
Air raid sirens went out and announcements blared with a recorded message from Mayor Zim, “Everyone, please remain calm. The UN forces are here and escorting us to shelter. I repeat, remain calm. Captain Neil has requested all those who can fight, please see him.”
The military shuttle that was supposed to contain the 180 black watch members was lifting off, packed to beyond the safety limits with those who had drawn the short straws, most giving up their place on the ship for their children instead. Very few adults were on board, just enough to cover keeping the children calm and policed.
When none of his men had volunteered, Neil had forcefully selected one. Corporal MacTavish, called Soap as a callsign. “MacTavish, you’ve got one mission, keep them calm, get them to the fleet, and then get them out of the system. They may be the last Tilfish alive. Also tell them where we are and we have the town's civilians with us.” He passed MacTavish a dozen data discs and flash drives. “I am holding you personally responsible for them. You are to ensure this gets up there too. It’s the entire Tilfish public library and all the government documents we could download. At least some of their culture will survive as well. Make sure those children know who they are.”
MacTavish saluted Neil as he turned to get onto the ship last, passing Neil his longarm and every bit of ammunition, grenades, and supplies he had down to his side arm and two magazines he kept for it. “You’ll need these sir.” Neil nodded and passed them to the nearest trooper escorting him.
Moments later, Neil was riding in a recon rover, packed with 4 of his black watch, Zim, and several Tilfish who were either elderly or children. The vehicle’s loud speakers continued to repeat automatically as Neil’s soldier lined the road, directing people forward. They urged them to move quickly but calmly while the vehicle sped for the caldera. “Save your energy, you will need it. Your lives are more valuable than your possessions. Move quickly and stay quiet, every second counts now.”
His troopers offered snacks they had packed, some took them. Trail mix bars, chocolate bars, coffee, water, whatever they happen to have on their person. The point was to prove that the Tilfish were not cattle and that the soldiers had no intention to harm them. Every little bit helped keep them calm and prevent a stampede.
When they arrived at their outpost, Neil stepped into his command tent which was being rapidly torn down now. Only four Tilfish came to Neil to Neil’s call, less than he’d hoped. Four of Four Thousand, they are the bravest four I will ever know. He smiled at that thought.
They were cowering to stand before him as he sized each one up. His glare was hardened from years in the Watch. Ages of fighting simulations and actually being present on The Cradle, earth, and a couple of human brush wars before that.
“I need you four to act as guides for my soldiers, they will protect you with their lives. You will be armed and expected to assist in the defense as well.” He explained firmly after nearly a minute of uncomfortable glares.
“We…we… what are we holding against? Our own people?” one of the Tilfish asked hesitantly and looking terrified at the predator.
“No, I’m not going to sugar coat it. The Arxur are coming, likely will be here within the hour. That transport was the last leaving the spaceport without being intercepted. Our only option is to shelter in place.” He spoke with a kind of hopeless certainty.
The Tilfish all cowered before him as Mayor Zim started to quake standing besides Neil, but Neil was unflinching. “I am asking you to help us make sure as many Tilfish get into the depths of the mountains as we can. I will not lie, our survival is not expected but those tunnels are deep enough that they might just survive until rescue can be sent.”
He looked at the herd walking towards the mountains at a brisk pace, the legs of the insectoids going quickly. “Now listen, I’m going to be sending out aggravation squads to delay incoming Arxur. You two going to be send with them. Our engineers are booby trapping as well as reinforcing the cave depths. Every little bit to assist in making sure the Arxur do not get into the tunnel and that those tunnels survive an orbital bombardment hit.”
One of the Tilfish shook his head, and has an expression of distress with his thorax and legs shifting, "No, nothing survives anti-matter bombs, it's hopeless."
Neil shook his head, "We have several bunker shelters survive near misses and a few survive direct hits on earth and they were barely a few hundred meters below the surface. Those tunnels lead nearly four kilometers down. I sent three engineers with every bit of quick-crete we have and the longer we buy time, the better odds the rest of your down get."
He leaned down onto the electronic display and pointed at the map, eager to change their focus and give them something to not fear. “I presume because you only live a few dozen kilometers from here you know the terrain and know it well?”
The Tilfish were hesitate to move or speak, shaking as if children about to piss themselves because the boogieman was coming out of the closet.
Neil nodded to himself, They’re raw recruits, rookies at best and terrified draftee’s would be in better shape than them. Time to make this clear to them and force them to fight those instincts. He exhaled a breath and deflated himself, letting his intensity wear off for a moment. “What are you names?”
“Jerlio.” The first smaller Tilfish spoke, he was barely taller than Neil’s waist and stood eye level with his belly button.
The second one, larger than the first coming up to Neil’s lower ribs, “H…h….h…Herci.” His speaking is uneasy and shows terror.
The third looked like twins with their spots and faces, if there was a difference Neil couldn’t make it out. “This is Hazeinia and I’m Tia.” They the one on the left spoke. Neil had started to recognize the two sexes of the Tilfish, he wasn’t sure if they had genders but that didn't matter now.
Their movements had them shuffling as if looking for an escape from their situation. Neil knew that for their people just to be standing here before him, meeting his gaze was a lot. He had to take measures into his own hands right now.
“Stand to!” He barked, his voice wasn’t shouting but it was harsh; undeniable, and made all five Tilfish in the room freeze in place. “Listen and listen well, dig this into your minds right now. The four of you have shown uncharacteristic courage just to step up for your people. Now I need you to show courage in spite of your fear. You fight not for your own lives anymore, you fight for those who cannot, those who we are desperately trying to save.”
He took a step forward, and gazed down upon both them, then knelt down to one knee, meeting them at eye level. The Tilfish started to shy away when he reached out a hand and grasped gently but firmly upon two of their feelers. The insectoid fur tickled him while the texture of the carapace was foreign and creepy to him. He steeled himself and brought the most calm he could forward.and his gaze relaxed slightly. “Let me explain something to you, all of you.”
“Humans are not fearless,” His eyes had tears in it, he knew his men would be dying soon and there was little he could do about it. “Every moment we are facing combat; we are terrified. We are scared that we will not take another breath, we fear deeply.” he looked at each of them. “Even if your stomach is tied in knots, you smell the blood and gunpowder, you want to run to save yourself.” He turned to the two he was holding the feelers of. “You can feel the clamminess on my hands, I know your antennae can detect the heightening of my heart rate, and you can see the corners of my eyes as I force the tears back and gain focus.” He took a moment to push through and made a show of gulping in a way to swallow down his fear.
“The difference is that I am asking for you to gather your courage.” His hand got tighter around their feelers not so it hurt but to show a change in demeanor. “It is easy to be brave when you are surrounded by friends, when you outnumber your foes, when you are bigger than them. No, I ask you five to do this, not because it is easy but because it is hard. I need any man, woman, and bug on that line. Nearly four thousand of you have run into those tunnels with forty of my men to keep them calm and moving deeper and deeper.”
He guided the four outside of the command tent into the forested caldera and motioned around to the positions on the reverse slope of the mountain sides, “40 more are under manning Air to Ground missiles, the new interceptor systems, manual fire close in 40mm chainguns, and the three Orbital firing cannons we have. Yet despite the difficulty they have made 40 seem like 400 with how many guns we have working and running.”
“The remaining ninety-nine of my troopers are rigging mines, camouflage firing positions with overlapping fire, explosives, and every other conceivable defense we have. They will be finished soon but we need to delay the enemy just to get our defenses exactly right.”
He turned to them, “Two of you will serve as guides for my soldiers. I’m going to send out a ten size squad. They are going to recon for the Arxur, setup ambushes and make them pay. Once they are spent, they will send you back to report.”
He turned to Jerlio and placed a hand on what he believed to be his shoulder, “I need soldiers and of the Ten Thousand Tilfish we had, the five bravest I’ve ever known are here. We fight back to back, to the end. Not for ourselves but for those Four Thousand in the caves, understood?” He turned to Herci as he spoke.
Each of the Tilfish nodded in turn except for Zim, “What of me? What am I do to?”
“Zim you have the greatest job of all. I need a radio director not only to coordinate our men and relay messages but to broadcast to the fleet for as long as possible. You’ve got 2 hours to study and learn our code book, if you make mistakes it’s okay, repeat it in plain language if needed.” He motioned to the entrance to the cave his people had run into. “The radio is there, work it until it stops functioning, if the Arxur are upon you, there is a pistol on the table and an explosive under it. Detonate the explosive as your last action.”
Zim recoiled, “I… I did not volunteer for a last stand, I don’t understand?”
Neil looked at him hardened and took a step towards Zim, “You voted for our annihilation, and yet here we are, allies. Now you are going to prove those people, your people, who put their faith in you, were right to do so. I’m going to station a trooper there with you if I have to with orders to shoot you if you flee; am I understood!”
It wasn’t a question, Neil had gone from gentle to absolute terrifying fury in merely a few moments. With a slow nod, Zim in agreement. Neil shook his head, “Say it, say Yes Sir to me, Private Zim.”
Zim suddenly straightened as Neil leaned in to look into his eyes, so close that they could feel each other’s breath. Zim was terrified, under the glare of a predator it took several seconds to find his courage. “Yes…. sir…”
Neil snarled, barring his teeth, he would put the fear of the divine into this Tilfish politician, “I can’t hear you, say it, like you mean it.”
Zim nodded and hesitated then realized the ritual he had seen from the humans earlier when Neil was disappointed in one of them. He turned his mandibles to be the best approximation of a salute. “Yes sir!”
“You’re in the Watch now, the Black Watch. Our motto is Nemo me impune lacessit. It means, No One Provokes Me with Impunity. Now get moving, there is an equipment sergeant nearby and once I’ve selected my troopers you will go with them. Zim get to that radio and start studying that code book until you are certain you can reference it. Every one of our lives and the lives of those ten thousand depend upon it.”
He looked from one of them to the other, giving each Tilfish a confident grin, ensuring he did not show his teeth but only curling up his lips. “Dismissed!”
The Tilfish scrambled towards their ordered positions where troopers went to meet them. Neil picked up his radio and tuned it to, he had one final duty to perform before the battle was to begin. “All Black Watch members, stop for a moment and listen. I’ll give you a moment to finish your tasks.” Neil took a moment as he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, he didn’t actually smoke but carried them to share with those that did. At this point however, what was one more bad habit. He lit it and took a puff similar to how he did on a joint in college. He exhaled and pushed the radio button again. “What I am about to ask you all to do should be considered unconscionable just two days ago. We are disobeying our orders, we were supposed to be on that transport. I understand this may upset some of you but we have a duty." Neil took a breath as he wasn't completely sure if all of his troopers would obey him and go with this idea or not. He spoke his next words slowly and with gravity. "Four Thousand civilians; they are in those tunnels along with 40 of your brothers and sisters. We are their only hope.”
He paused to take another draw of the cigarette, he could understand now why some soldiers had this habit, really calmed his nerves for the next part. “If any man or woman doesn’t feel this is right, there is room for you in those tunnels, speak up and you will be relieved and sent. No questions asked; no shame given, I understand not wanting to die for a species that a week ago was trying to annihilate our existence.”
He waited and when no one spoke up, he pushed the radio again. “Anyone? Sergeants, report in.”
“Platoon A, no one is moving sir.”
“Platoon B, we’re here and we’re staying, all of us apparently.”
“Platoon C, guns are manned and ready, this is where they die and we stand.”
Platoon D didn’t report in, they must be too deep underground now for radio transmissions. That was good enough for him, at least they would survive if the first bomb got through. The follow ups they would need to keep going down. He hoped their air would hold out.
“Alright, the enemy is coming. The fleet cannot hold and is working to withdraw. We will have no artillery, air, armor, or naval support. We are on our own. What I am asking you to do is going to get you all killed. Make peace with any deity you believe in. Get any addiction you need satisfied, eat something, drink some water, and finish your preparations. Schmidt is coming with James, they are going to lead Platoon B squad 3 and Platoon A squad 4 on a little recon in force mission. They have their orders, and you have your’s.” He took another draw of his cigarette. “I will see you on the other side. Nemo Me Impune Lacessit.”
The radio resounded for the next several moments with all of his 139 remaining soldiers sounding off the Black Watch motto.
The Captain stepped out of his tent, he picked up a rifle, the one MacTavoish handed him. He checked the magazine, breech, and sights then chambered a round and turned off his safety. Slowly he walked towards his own position.
A shuttle was coming down, damaged badly but this wasn't a civilian shuttle or an escape shutttle. It was an armored assault shuttle. "What Now?"

Hey guys, so basically, I am nine months into my current job that I got as a SEO analyst right after college through the placement cell at a large digital marketing agency. For the first 3 months, they taught us the basics of analytics, SEM (Google's ads), and SEO and then allowed us to specialize in one to be trained further. I ended up choosing SEO even though I wanted SEM, as people advised me that it’s better to start off with SEO. It turns out that regardless of whether SEO is the better option or not, I have started to find it extremely boring and mundane. I have now been given a senior analysts' work, which involves link building through profiling 100s of websites every week and then negotiating with website owners to get a good deal. The reason I was chosen for this role was because I have a really good knack for conversing and negotiating with people, which may be partly attributed to the fact that I was a national level debater back in college. But what I now really crave is the need to brainstorm creative ideas instead of just doing routine stuff. However, I now have a major problem: I do not know if I should go and leave my current company and start applying for account roles in advertising agencies, or should I continue working in my current company for the next few years and hopefully move from SEO to SEM and gather specialized knowledge in the field of digital marketing. A major hindrance to this decision is the fact that my current job pays me way more than the industry average (dealing with the guilt of being ungrateful is another issue, lol), and hence I feel it may be tough for me to move to another company as they may not be able to match my current pay. Hence, here I am on Reddit asking for advice from anyone who has/had been in a similar situation.

I have a household with 6 people, of which 4 are adults. We obviously have keenly felt the increased cost of food. We like to bake our own breads and sweets and home cook a lot too. I would like to find a source for a bulk quantity of things like flour, brown sugar, coffee, dried beans, etc. Like 10 kg + bags of stuff.
Where is the cheapest place to source industrial quantities of food staples? Is it Costco? I would assume it's Costco, I see a lot of talk about their deals on packaged goods like snacks and such, but not a lot of talk about large basics. Like I don't need 50 small brown sugar packets, or 3 dozen muffins. I need 50 lbs of sugar and flour. Is there cheaper online source anyone knows of?

I’m working with a team as a SM, org have asked SMs to drive the delivery of a recent initiative, where I am now coaching less and more so actively hands on delivery managing. Stakeholder management, requirement gathering etc
My team seems to like this approach, at the retro today , one commented that it is good that I’m sharing updates in this way since my work is not that visible.
Gradually though, I feel like I’m going to be sucked into the day to day in this way, and not sure if that is how a SM should be behaving. But on the other hand, it’s making it so much easier to integrate without people questioning your value by being actively involved in the projects.
Is being involved in the day to day in this way the right thing to do as a SM, or should they be taking a step back?

Hello Fellow Reddit users. I'm really proud of getting my story broken down into the different chapters and sections. I'm posting this in case anyone would like to give me some feedback about it. I tried to make the table of contents interesting by having unique section and chapter titles. let me know what you think.
​
In Perpetuum Series Guide
📷Book 1. To The Detriment of Anything
Part One. There Are No Unbeatable Odds
Chapter One. Perpending Yesterday’s Tomorrow
Chapter Two: Wrong Way On A One-Way Track
Chapter Three: That We Were Not Lost From The Start
Part Two Inevitability Notwithstanding
Chapter Four. The Truth Doesn’t Make a Sound
Chapter Five. A Necessary Tough Time to Be Anywhere
Chapter Six. The Drafted Gatherings of Those in the World War
Chapter Seven. Searching For Something More Than This
Book 2. The Deception Strategy
Part Three. So Please Just leave Me The Hell Alone
Chapter Eight. The Road That I Led You the Wrong Way Down
Chapter Nine. No Real Reason to Accept Things Have Changed
Part Four. There’s Nothing Left Of Who I Was
Chapter Ten. Made A Wish And Lost It Down The Wishing Well
Chapter Eleven. Sleeping With Ghosts
Book 3. Desideratum
Part Five. Finality
Chapter Twelve. Remember That You Must Die
Chapter Thirteen. Far More Than I Had Bargained For
Chapter Fourteen. A Little Solace and Some Peace of Mind
Chapter Fifteen. The Wall Does Fall To Pieces
Part Six: Speaking In Defense of Apologia
Chapter Sixteen. Looking for Truth in the Lost and Found
Chapter Seventeen. Save Your Breath, I Will Not Hear
Book 4. Not Anymore
Part Seven: If I Die Tonight, Then I’ll Make It Up To You
Chapter Eighteen. In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company
Chapter Nineteen. Is There Anything You Can’t Do?
Chapter twenty. Neither ever nor never goodbye

Hey Fellow Reddit people. I'm really proud of this outline. It is for my four books and I have it all broken down into the correct sections. I'm hoping this appears interesting. Like the chapter titles are unique to the section and I tried to make them interesting. I'm curious to know thoughts on this. Drop me a line if you feel up to it. Here's the guide below:
​
In Perpetuum Series Guide
📷Book 1. To The Detriment of Anything
Part One. There Are No Unbeatable Odds
Chapter One. Perpending Yesterday’s Tomorrow
Chapter Two: Wrong Way On A One-Way Track
Chapter Three: That We Were Not Lost From The Start
Part Two Inevitability Notwithstanding
Chapter Four. The Truth Doesn’t Make a Sound
Chapter Five. A Necessary Tough Time to Be Anywhere
Chapter Six. The Drafted Gatherings of Those in the World War
Chapter Seven. Searching For Something More Than This
Book 2. The Deception Strategy
Part Three. So Please Just leave Me The Hell Alone
Chapter Eight. The Road That I Led You the Wrong Way Down
Chapter Nine. No Real Reason to Accept Things Have Changed
Part Four. There’s Nothing Left Of Who I Was
Chapter Ten. Made A Wish And Lost It Down The Wishing Well
Chapter Eleven. Sleeping With Ghosts
Book 3. Desideratum
Part Five. Finality
Chapter Twelve. Remember That You Must Die
Chapter Thirteen. Far More Than I Had Bargained For
Chapter Fourteen. A Little Solace and Some Peace of Mind
Chapter Fifteen. The Wall Does Fall To Pieces
Part Six: Speaking In Defense of Apologia
Chapter Sixteen. Looking for Truth in the Lost and Found
Chapter Seventeen. Save Your Breath, I Will Not Hear
Book 4. Not Anymore
Part Seven: If I Die Tonight, Then I’ll Make It Up To You
Chapter Eighteen. In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company
Chapter Nineteen. Is There Anything You Can’t Do?
Chapter twenty. Neither ever nor never goodbye

Once an amount of points have been gathered the fight can begin again from the start. "points" being anything hard to gather that do not correlate directly to the health of the player and enemy. like good timed combos, "style" (being intricate/hard to do combos) and once the fight got a rebirth the points they gained is used to give an advantage to the person with most points. is this idea good?

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Billboard Hot 100 chart

Position	Title	Artist	▲/▼	Last week	Weeks Charting	Peak
1	Flowers	Miley Cyrus	▲+1	2	9	1
2	Last Night	Morgan Wallen	▼-1	1	7	1
3	Kill Bill	SZA	-	3	14	2
4	Die For You	The Weeknd & Ariana Grande	-	4	33	1
5	Creepin'	Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage	▲+1	6	15	3
6	Boy's A Liar, Pt. 2	PinkPantheress & Ice Spice	▼-1	5	6	3
7	Anti-Hero	Taylor Swift	▲+5	12	21	1
8	Calm Down	Rema & Selena Gomez	▲+11	19	28	8
9	Thought You Should Know	Morgan Wallen	▼-2	7	31	7
10	You Proof	Morgan Wallen	▼-2	8	44	5
11	Rock And A Hard Place	Bailey Zimmerman	▲+9	20	40	11
12	Players	Coi Leray	▲+12	24	11	12
13	Unholy	Sam Smith & Kim Petras	▲+3	16	25	1
14	I'm Good (Blue)	David Guetta & Bebe Rexha	▲+7	21	29	4
15	As It Was	Harry Styles	▲+8	23	50	1
16	Under The Influence	Chris Brown	▲+10	26	27	12
17	Thinkin' Bout Me	Morgan Wallen	▼-8	9	2	9
18	Just Wanna Rock	Lil Uzi Vert	▲+4	22	22	10
19	TQG	Karol G x Shakira	▼-2	17	3	7
20	One Thing At A Time	Morgan Wallen	▼-10	10	15	10
21	Thank God	Kane Brown With Katelyn Brown	▲+7	28	27	13
22	Cuff It	Beyonce	▲+3	25	31	6
23	Escapism	RAYE Featuring 070 Shake	▲+10	33	15	22
24	Sure Thing	Miguel	▲+13	37	33	24
25	Lavender Haze	Taylor Swift	▲+6	31	21	2
26	Rich Flex	Drake & 21 Savage	▲+8	34	19	2
27	Going, Going, Gone	Luke Combs	▲+9	36	18	23
28	Until I Found You	Stephen Sanchez	▲+11	39	37	23
29	Everything I Love	Morgan Wallen	▼-15	14	7	14
30	Something In The Orange	Zach Bryan	▲+12	42	47	10
31	Ain't That Some	Morgan Wallen	▼-20	11	2	11
32	River	Miley Cyrus	▲+69	[FRESH]	1	32
33	I Wrote The Book	Morgan Wallen	▼-15	18	7	18
34	Superhero (Heroes & Villains)	Metro Boomin, Future & Chris Brown	▲+11	45	15	8
35	Snooze	SZA	▲+11	46	14	29
36	Favorite Song	Toosii	▲+31	67	4	36
37	Red Ruby Da Sleeze	Nicki Minaj	▼-24	13	2	13
38	Heart Like A Truck	Lainey Wilson	▲+17	55	18	29
39	Shirt	SZA	▲+11	50	20	11
40	Golden Hour	JVKE	▲+9	49	29	10
41	Man Made A Bar	Morgan Wallen Featuring Eric Church	▼-26	15	2	15
42	Wait In The Truck	HARDY Featuring Lainey Wilson	▲+16	58	28	23
43	Bloody Mary	Lady Gaga	▲+23	66	11	43
44	Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53	Bizarrap & Shakira	▲+26	70	9	9
45	Spin Bout U	Drake & 21 Savage	▲+23	68	19	5
46	Made You Look	Meghan Trainor	▲+11	57	21	11
47	Bebe Dame	Fuerza Regida X Grupo Frontera	▲+17	64	12	25
48	'98 Braves	Morgan Wallen	▼-21	27	2	27
49	Sunrise	Morgan Wallen	▼-19	30	2	30
50	Nobody Gets Me	SZA	▲+23	73	14	10
51	Cowgirls	Morgan Wallen Featuring ERNEST	▼-11	40	2	40
52	What He Didn't Do	Carly Pearce	▲+27	79	13	52
53	Painting Pictures	Superstar Pride	▲+9	62	5	25
54	Ceilings	Lizzy McAlpine	▲+26	80	4	54
55	Handle On You	Parker McCollum	▲+28	83	11	55
56	Jaded	Miley Cyrus	▲+45	[FRESH]	1	56
57	Wild As Her	Corey Kent	▲+24	81	23	57
58	In Ha Mood	Ice Spice	▲+27	85	6	58
59	Special	Lizzo Featuring SZA	▲+19	78	5	52
60	Next Thing You Know	Jordan Davis	▲+24	84	8	60
61	Whiskey Friends	Morgan Wallen	▼-26	35	2	35
62	Love You Anyway	Luke Combs	▲+12	74	5	15
63	Devil Don't Know	Morgan Wallen	▼-34	29	2	29
64	Trance	Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Young Thug	▲+30	94	6	42
65	Freestyle	Lil Baby	▲+21	86	24	59
66	Watch This (ARIZONATEARS Pluggnb Remix)	Lil Uzi Vert	▲+16	82	4	56
67	Born With A Beer In My Hand	Morgan Wallen	▼-35	32	2	32
68	Thousand Miles	Miley Cyrus Featuring Brandi Carlile	▲+33	[FRESH]	1	68
69	Love Again	The Kid LAROI	▲+19	88	7	40
70	Dying Man	Morgan Wallen	▼-27	43	2	43
71	Dawns	Zach Bryan Featuring Maggie Rogers	▲+16	87	7	42
72	Lift Me Up	Rihanna	▲+26	98	20	2
73	Neon Star (Country Boy Lullaby)	Morgan Wallen	▼-25	48	2	48
74	Tennessee Numbers	Morgan Wallen	▼-36	38	2	38
75	Tennessee Orange	Megan Moroney	▲+16	91	14	53
76	Tennessee Fan	Morgan Wallen	▼-22	54	7	49
77	Hope That's True	Morgan Wallen	▼-36	41	2	41
78	Nonsense	Sabrina Carpenter	▲+18	96	9	56
79	Yandel 150	Yandel & Feid	▲+22	--	5	79
80	Keith Whitley	Morgan Wallen	▼-36	44	2	44
81	Me + All Your Reasons	Morgan Wallen	▼-30	51	2	51
82	Forever	Lil Baby Featuring Fridayy	▲+13	95	10	8
83	Low	SZA	▲+9	92	14	17
84	Que Vuelvas	Carin Leon X Grupo Frontera	▲+6	90	12	50
85	I Deserve A Drink	Morgan Wallen	▼-33	52	2	52
86	AMG	Gabito Ballesteros, Peso Pluma & Natanael Cano	▲+11	97	8	66
87	You Didn't	Brett Young	▲+12	99	10	63
88	In The Bible	Morgan Wallen Featuring HARDY	▼-41	47	2	47
89	10:35	Tiesto Featuring Tate McRae	▲+11	100	8	69
90	Single Than She Was	Morgan Wallen	▼-34	56	2	56
91	Rose Colored Lenses	Miley Cyrus	▲+10	[FRESH]	1	91
92	Por Las Noches	Peso Pluma	▲+9	[FRESH]	1	92
93	Heaven	Niall Horan	▲+8	--	3	62
94	X Si Volvemos	Karol G x Romeo Santos	▼-1	93	6	48
95	PRC	Peso Pluma X Natanael Cano	▲+6	--	5	73
96	180 (Lifestyle)	Morgan Wallen	▼-33	63	2	63
97	F150-50	Morgan Wallen	▼-44	53	2	53
98	Private Landing	Don Toliver Featuring Justin Bieber & Future	▼-9	89	3	72
99	Dancin' In The Country	Tyler Hubbard	▲+2	--	4	87
100	Wine Into Water	Morgan Wallen	▼-41	59	2	59

Billboard Global 200 chart (most popular songs globally)

Position	Title	Artist	▲/▼	Last week	Weeks Charting	Peak
1	Flowers	Miley Cyrus	▲+2	3	8	1
2	Die For You	The Weeknd & Ariana Grande	-	2	53	2
3	TQG	Karol G x Shakira	▼-2	1	2	1
4	Kill Bill	SZA	-	4	13	1
5	Last Night	Morgan Wallen	▲+5	10	6	5
6	Boy's A Liar, Pt. 2	PinkPantheress & Ice Spice	▼-1	5	5	3
7	Calm Down	Rema & Selena Gomez	▼-1	6	36	3
8	Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53	Bizarrap & Shakira	▼-1	7	9	2
9	As It Was	Harry Styles	▲+2	11	49	1
10	Unholy	Sam Smith & Kim Petras	▼-2	8	24	1

Billboard 200 chart

Position	Title	Artist	Sales	Change	Last week	Weeks Charting
1	One Thing At A Time	Morgan Wallen	247,304 (22,993 pure)	-50%	1	2
2	Ready To Be: 12th Mini Album (EP)	TWICE	err	err	[FRESH]	1
3	Endless Summer Vacation	Miley Cyrus	117,616 (55,245 pure)	--	[FRESH]	1
4	SOS	SZA	75,314 (326 pure)	-7%	2	14
5	Manana Sera Bonito	Karol G	err	err	3	3
6	Midnights	Taylor Swift	46,124 (9,615 pure)	-4%	5	21
7	Dangerous: The Double Album	Morgan Wallen	42,749 (1,945 pure)	-8%	6	114
8	Heroes & Villains	Metro Boomin	38,364 (261 pure)	-3%	7	15
9	Un Verano Sin Ti	Bad Bunny	36,927 (419 pure)	-2%	8	45
10	Her Loss	Drake & 21 Savage	33,256 (102 pure)	-2%	10	19

Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why is X artist higher than Y artist on the 200 chart, even though X artist sold less?
A: This is because of a discrepancy between Billboard's ranking and the ranking from the website that the sales data is scraped from
Q: Where do you get the sales data from?
A: https://hitsdailydouble.com/sales_plus_streaming
Q: What does "err" mean on the 200 chart?
A: If you are seeing "err", that means that the bot I use to gather chart data couldn't identify sales data for a particular album because of a difference in album naming between Billboard and HitsDailyDouble

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I applied to EY for Technology Consulting however after my group interview they told me I need to pick another role because the Tech Con stream is now full. They offered a few different roles, Tech risk, transformation architecture/delivery, and data and analytics, however I'm not sure what is most similar to Tech Consulting and what role might allow me to pivot into it later, if that is possible - Has anyone had luck changing to a consulting role later in recent years? From what I have seen tech consulting seems to have a good blaance of client facing work and technical reqirements but this might be incorrect as I don't have anyone to talk to about what these roles entail on a daily bases in the UK. The roles for each are pretty vague and repeat you'll be working with tech and clients to solve problems, but the day to day and how involved you are with technical tasks is not outlined - risk is looking at client tech stacks, delivery is working on those techstacks etc but how technical each role is and what stage of the project you are involved in is difficult to see eg. Do architects just layout requirements for the delivery transformation team, or do they stay on the whole project. Do risk just also help to outline changes and move onto the next project or do they stay throughout and help with technical chages? There are also no salaries listed and finding what the base and projected averages are, so is is difficult to judge how involved a role is based on salary and what the roles will look like in terms of respincilibty and .
From what I have found online and reddit comments, delivery might be more like Tech Con with the aspect of helping transition clients to different technologies. Risk look like it might be more advisory and investigative rather than doing hands on work which I think might be boring after a while if I'm not doing anything technical and partiucaly if I'm going to be regurgitating data governance procedures - are there opportunities to specialise or is the role broad throughout the entire career? I also don't know what the salaries look like for these roles (UK based, so lower across the board of roles) nor the carrer progression and what it looks like beyond people manging - is the salary and senior responsibilities wildly different between these two roles? Is there more technical work in delivery later and more client facing work in risk, or do the roles follow on from the work mostly the same but with more team management later, for example?
I'm interested in both client and technical work so I am also considering data and analytics, however I'm less interest in making models and dashboards which I feel like grads may get pigeonholed into. It also seems less likely that I would be able to pivot out to tech consulting if the operuntiy arises, as I would imagine the role is less client facing and this might impact expirnce necessary to move. I have some limited exprience with cloud engineering but would like to continue learning since it's something I enjoy, and with the current redundancies, if I was let go in the future I could continue as a data engineer. I'm not sure what ex-delivery or risk roles look like in the UK and how easy it is to find work in the same or similar roles and what carrer changes or progress looks like. I've only just been given notice and have until Friday to decide so I'm trying to gather as much info about these new roles as possible since I'm not familiar with them at all.
In terms of work from home I'm guessing d&a has the biggest opportunity for this with something like delivery and needing to train clients as least? Or do they all offer roughly the same wfh opportunities?
Any guidance about roles similar to consulting, salaries, day to day work, or general information about these roles in the UK specifically would be greatly appreciated.

So here are some datamined unique items (build 0.8.0.39517). *Please note: These may not be final and there could be additional unique items added, or powers/names changed. I don't believe this is the final list, in fact, I've seen screenshots of many other uniques that aren't listed here. You'll notice a few fan-favorite uniques returning in the list from previous games along with uniques that are completely new.
*posted in the diablo reddit but was told I should post here as well.
In beta we got to see only a tiny part of charactebuild customization. Once we combine legendary powers, affixes and stats on gear, paragon boards, glyphs (socket these into paragon boards), uniques, skill trees, and the class-specific systems (enchantments, book of the dead, spirit boons, etc) we should be in a great place which should be enough to satisfy even the most veteran arpg fans out of the gate.
So uniques have the following:

• static affixes, any drop of that specific unique will always have the same affixes (although they still roll within a range, 5-15 strength for example. So it is possible to find a "perfect" rolled item).
• the affixes may be something that don't normally show up on that slot. For example, a helm could have 30% movement speed. Movement speed doesn't normally roll on the helm slot.
• There could be a unique affix on the item that doesn't appear on any other item in the game. For example, the Harlequin Crest has the affix "+45% crafting material find". I haven't seen that stat on any other item so it may be just exclusive to it. This list doesn't show those unique affixes.
• the number of affixes on the item don't have to follow rares/legendary. Could be more/less.
• the value of affixes can be unique. For example, if the max roll for a specific affix on a rare is 25%, you may find a unique that has a range going up to 50% instead. They don't follow any rules.
• Uniques are tied to lore/maybe have a tiny backstory or flavor text

Normal/Sacred/Ancestral tiers
Something that I've also not seen much discussion on are sacred or ancestral tiers of items. If you don't know what these are, they are similar to ancient items in D3. As you go up in difficulty (world tiers) you unlock the chance for any item that drops to be sacred or ancestral. All items; white, magic, rare, legendary or unique have a chance to roll as sacred or ancestral. Sacred items roll higher values and item power than normal tier, and ancestral items roll higher values and item power than sacred tiers. Finding an ancestral item at the highest world tier is actually pretty rare, so you can imagine that finding an ancestral unique or legendary item will be very rare and add to the actual endgame loot hunt.

Unique Items

Barbarian specific uniques:

Item Name	Type	Power	Flavor Text
Ramaladni's Magnum Opus	1h Sword	Skills using this weapon deal x% increased damage per point of Fury you have, but you lose x Fury every second.	"Without him the wine is less sweet, the hearth less warm, and our blades less keen. Our blood brother is gone, but Bul-Kathos willing, we will meet again one day." - Sorrowsong for Ramaladni *this is a tribute to Travis Day, a Blizzard developer who passed away.
Ancients' Oath	2h Axe	Steel Grasp launches 2 additional chains. Enemies hit by Steel Grasp are Slowed by x% for x seconds.	"Weapons wielded by the fiercest warriors often catch the eye of the Ancient spirits. If the wielder is worthy, the spirits may bless the steel with their strength." - Gerti, Oxen Tribe Forgemaster
Hellhammer	2h Mace	Upheaval ignites the ground Burning enemies for an additional x damage over x seconds.	The demon prince Ikonoth slew hundreds of the Heavenly Host with this infernal hammer before falling to none other than the Archangel Imperius himself.
Overkill	2h mace	Death Blow creates a shockwave, dealing x% of its Base damage to enemies. Enemies who die to this effect also reset Death Blow's Cooldown.	The malformed snake creatures that live in the swamps are not content with simply killing their prey. They seem to take a malicious pleasure from inflicting as much suffering as possible before death.
Fields of Crimson	2h Sword	While using this weapon, damaging at least one enemy with Rupture creates a blood pool that inflicts x Bleeding damage over x seconds. Enemies standing in the pool take x% increased Bleeding damage.	"We've been fighting these flesh-eaters for so long, been soaked in so much blood, that after a while it's difficult to tell what side you're truly on." - Daelyr, Crane Tribe warrior
Battle Trance	Amulet	Increase Frenzy's maximum stacks by x. While you have maximum Frenzy, your other Skills gain x% increased Attack Speed.	"The change that overtook my brother in battle was terrifying. His eyes turned hard like diamonds, and the way he moved... it was like he was dancing to music only he could hear." - Captain Dervin
100,000 Steps	Boots	After gaining the final damage bonus from the Walking Arsenal Key Passive, you automatically cast Ground Stomp and gain x Fury. This cannot happen more than once every x seconds.	"While many Barbarians remained in the Dreadlands, small groups from the Oxen, Crane and Bear tribes instead chose to search the land for a new home." - A History of the Children of Bul-Kathos
Rage of Harrogath	Chest	Lucky Hit: Up to a x% chance to reduce the Cooldowns of your Non-Ultimate Skills by 1 seconds when you inflict Bleeding on Elites.	Harrogath, the final bastion of resistance against Baal's assault on Mt. Arreat was destroyed along with the Worldstone. The survivors never forgave the betrayal that led to the loss of their home.
Gohr's Devastating Grips	Gloves	Whirlwind explodes after it ends, dealing x% of the total Base damage dealt to surrounding enemies as Fire damage.	"The brutish construction of these gloves belies the strength they bestow. Gohr was clearly no craftsman, but it would be foolish to ignore the triumph of his work." - Barrett's Book of Implements
of Hammering *(this is listed as unique test, but the name reads more like a legendary.)	2h Mace	(PH) Consecutive Hammer of the Ancients increase the next cast's damage by x% its radius by x%.	-

Druid specific uniques:

Item Name	Type	Power	Flavor Text
Waxing Gibbous	1h Axe	Gain Stealth for x seconds when killing enemies with Shred. Breaking Stealth with an attack grants Ambush which guarantees Critical Strikes for x seconds.	The nights preceding the full moon are sometimes far more dangerous than the event itself. The frenzy has begun to rise, yet the night is just dark enough to obscure a hunter from their prey's sight.
Greatstaff of the Crone	2h Staff	Claw is now a Storm Skill and also casts Storm Strike at x% normal damage.	"She has existed in Scosglen since before Fiacla-Géar walked the land. Her purpose is a mystery to us all. However, approach her with deference; she may grant you her counsel." - Airidah, to Donan
Mad Wolf's Glee	Chest	Werewolf form is now your true form, and you gain +2 Ranks to all Werewolf Skills.	"He was not a victim of the curse - he sought it out. As his skin split and his bones cracked, his laughter never ceased." – Tale of the Mad Nobleman
Insatiable Fury	Chest	Werebear form is now your true form, and you gain +2 Ranks to all Werebear Skills.	When the Days of Ash began, the great druid Nafain reminded his disciples that nothing, not even the loss of their humanity, was too great a sacrifice to protect Túr Dúlra from Astaroth's flames.
Tempest Roar	Helm	Lucky Hit: Storm Skills have up to a x% chance to grant x Spirit. Your base Storm Skills are now also Werewolf Skills	"Listen, child, to the music of the storm. It has its own rhythm. Its own melody. Hear how beautifully it sings, and perhaps one day you will be able to join in its harmony." – Airidah
Vasily's Prayer	Helm	Your Earth Skills are now also Werebear Skills and Fortify you for x.	"Roots from the Great Oak growing at the seaward statue of Vasily will, on rare occasions, be found twisted back upon themselves, suffused with ferocious magic." - Barrett's Book of Implements
Storm's Companion	Pants	Your Wolf Companions are infused with the power of the storm, dealing Lightning damage and gaining the Storm Howl ability.	"The storm's rage is my own, brother. I call, and the skies roar in reply." - Vasily, to Bul-Kathos
Hunter's Zenith	Ring	Gain a bonus when you kill with a Shapeshifting Skill: Werewolf: Your next Non-Ultimate Werebear Skill costs no Resource and has no Cooldown. Werebear: Your next Werewolf Skill will Heal you for x when damage is first dealt.	"By fang, claw, spear, or sword - send the bastards back to the flames from which they crawled! Soak the peat with their blood! For Fiacla-Géar! For Scosglen!" - Nafain, during the Days of Ash

Necromancer specific uniques:

Item Name	Type	Power	Flavor Text
Black River	1h Scythe	Corpse Explosion consumes up to x additional Corpses around the initial Corpse, dealing x% increased damage and with a x% larger radius per additional Corpse.	"The scrolls describe a river of tar that separated the living from the land of the dead. Any unfortunate soul who tried to cross would be dragged down into oblivion." - Notes of Scholar Kamien
Bloodless Scream	2h Scythe	Your Darkness Skills Chill enemies for up to x%. Lucky Hit: Your Darkness Skills have up to a x% chance to generate x additional Essence against Frozen targets.	"My companion swung her odd weapon in a wide arc, and our pursuer stopped short. The look of horror on his face as his body fell to pieces will haunt me forever." - The Ebon Pages, Canto II, Verse XI
Deathspeaker's Pendant	Amulet	Blood Surge casts a mini nova on your Minions, dealing x damage. Damage is increased by x% per target drained by the initial cast, up to x%.	Once a sanctum for Rathma's studies, the Temple of the Deathspeaker became a proving grounds for potential leaders of his priesthood. Its halls are filled with the corpses of those who failed.
Greaves of the Empty Tomb	Boots	Create desecrated ground beneath your Sever spectres as they travel, damaging enemies for x Shadow damage over x seconds.	"The massive door to my family's crypt, which had taken a dozen men to close, was thrown open. Had I known the horrors to come I never would have set foot inside!" -The Ebon Pages, Canto I, Verse VII
Blood Artisan's Cuirass	Chest	When you pick up Blood Orbs, a free Bone Spirit is spawned, dealing bonus damage based on your current Life percent.	"The infamous Necromancer Gaza-Thul's mastery over blood magic was indisputable. Many suspect that upon his death, his skin was used to fashion this eldritch armor." - Barrett's Book of Implements
Howl from Below	Gloves	Instead of detonating immediately, Corpse Explosion summons a Volatile Skeleton that charges at a random enemy and explodes. Corpse Explosion's damage is increased by x%.	"Can you not hear it? That endless scream from the cold earth beneath your feet!? They are down there, trapped, blind with rage! Waiting to drag us down into the sod!" - Ravings of Madman Gustav
Deathless Visage	Helm	Bone Spear leaves behind echoes as it travels that explode, dealing x damage.	"Rathma is endless. He was the first Ancient, and will remain at the end. He is the master of the Great Cycle of Being. When Death comes for him, why should he fear it?" - Vauntus, Acolyte of Rathma
Ring of Mendeln	Ring	While you have x or more Minions you gain: Lucky Hit: Up to a x% chance to empower all of your Minions, causing the next attack from each to explode for x Physical damage.	The signet of Mendeln ul-Diomed, the founder of the Priests of Rathma and the first Necromancer, was lost for over 3,000 years. The immense power over death held within, however, has not diminished.

Rogue specific uniques:

Item Name	Type	Power	Flavor Text
Condemnation	Dagger	Your Core Skills deal x% increased damage when spending 3 Combo Points. Your Basic Skills using this weapon have a x% chance to generate 3 Combo Points.	"I've never seen such ruthless butchery. He deserves to be be shipped off to die in the swamps with the rest of the godless murderers." - Witness to the murder of Sergeant Walcot
Asheara's Khanjar	Dagger	Hits with this weapon increase your Attack Speed by x% for x seconds, up to x%.	When Caldeum's gates closed, Asheara led her Iron Wolves out of the city knowing full well they would never return. Instead they roamed Kehjistan pledging their blades to any who were in need.
Skyhunter	Bow	The first direct damage you deal to an enemy is a guaranteed Critical Strike. If you had maximum stacks of the Precision Key Passive when you cast the Skill, gain Energy, this can only happen once per cast.	"Genai took up her bow and aimed at the sun itself. The light burned her eyes, but her arrow flew true. Wounded, the sun hid, and brought forth the first night. - Fable of the Great Sky-Hunt
Windforce	Bow	Lucky Hit: Hits with this weapon have up to a x% chance to deal double damage and Knock Back the target.	"There have been numerous world-shaping conflicts throughout history. This bow has been found on the battlefield of every one, and always in the hands of the victors." - Barrett's Book of Implements
Word of Hakan	Amulet	Your Rain of Arrows is always Imbued with all Imbuements at once.	"Let the great gates of Caldeum be sealed. Let its proud walls stand fiercely defended. The rest of Kehjistan may suffer this plague, but my city, and my people, will not." - Proclamation of Hakan II
Grasp of Shadow	Gloves	Lucky Hit: Damaging a Vulnerable enemy with a Marksman or Cutthroat Skill has up to a x% chance to summon a Shadow Clone that mimics your attack.	Dark wisps creep hungrily across these gloves, like an assassin's blade seeking a life to steal on a moonless night.
Cowl of the Nameless	Helm	You gain x% increased Lucky Hit Chance against Crowd Controlled enemies.	"He is banished from the Guild, his name stricken from the Book. His punishment is to never have been." - Excerpt from a burned parchment
Eyes in the Dark	Pants	Unless it hits a Boss or Player, Death Trap will continue to re-arm itself until it kills an enemy. However, Death Trap's Cooldown is increased by x%.	"And so, when the sun dipped behind the hills each night, he knew that Ashen Jack would soon be near. Watching, and waiting." - Greenslade's Tales, Chapter 2: "Each Long Night" name*:* Eyes in the Dark

Sorcerer specific uniques:

Item Name	Type	Power	Flavor Text
Flamescar	Wand	While Channeling Incinerate, you periodically shoot embers that are attracted to enemies, each dealing x Fire damage.	The burn may heal, but the pain is eternal.
Staff of Endless Rage	Staff	Every 3rd cast of Fireball launches 2 additional projectiles.	"Leaving even blackened bones for your kin to mourn is too good an end for you." - Josiah
Staff of Lam Esen	Staff	Charged Bolts pierce, but deal x% less damage.	"Also known as the Greatstaff of the Old Religion, this powerful relic is one of only a small handful of Skatsimi artifacts that have survived to this day." - Barrett's Book of Implements
Esadora's Overflowing Cameo	Amulet	Upon collecting Crackling Energy, there's a x% chance to release a lightning nova, dealing x Lightning Damage.	The only thing more potent than Esadora's magic was her endless hatred of humanity. As she lay dying, the pale amulet around her neck drank in both.
Esu's Heirloom	Boots	Your Critical Strike Chance is increased by x% of your Movement Speed bonus.	"While scholars have proven these boots were not created by Esu herself, it is noteworthy that they have been passed down since the formation of the Mage Clans." - Barrett's Book of Implements
Raiment of the Infinite	Chest	After using Teleport, Close enemies are Pulled to you and Stunned for x seconds, but Teleport's Cooldown is increased by x%.	The power you have is never enough.
Gloves of the Illuminator	Gloves	Fireball now bounces as it travels, exploding each time it hits the ground, but its explosion deals x% less damage.	After Inarius returned to Sanctuary, he sought a way back to the High Heavens. His first step was to reignite the religion he had abandoned millennia before: the Cathedral of Light.
Iceheart Brais	Pants	Enemies that die while Frozen have a x% chance to unleash a Frost Nova.	The mad artisan saw his fingers turn black from frostbite as he worked the cloth, but refused to stay the needle and thread for even a moment.

General (used by all) uniques:

Item Name	Type	Power	Flavor Text
The Butcher's Cleaver	1h Axe	Lucky Hit: When you Critically Strike an enemy you have up to a x% chance to Fear and Slow them by x% for x seconds.	A nightmarish amalgam of blood, bone and steel, this axe is as horrific, and as deadly, as its creator.
Doombringer	1h Sword	Lucky Hit: Up to a x% chance to deal x Shadow damage to surrounding enemies and reduce their damage done by x% for x seconds.	Whenever this ancient sword has reappeared throughout history, it portends a time of great strife, as well as a devastating loss of life.
The Grandfather	2h Sword	Increases your Critical Strike Damage by x%. The other properties on this weapon can roll higher than normal.	An unbroken lineage of unwavering strength.
-	2h Sword	-	-
-	2h Sword	-	-
-	2h Sword	-	-
Melted Heart of Selig	Amulet	Gain x% Maximum Resource. In addition, when you take damage, drain x Resource for every x% of Life you would have lost instead.	"Do not allow your passions to become obsessions. Fuel the fire that burns within you, but it is madness to allow yourself to become ash to please an uncaring universe." - Last words of Master Selig
Penitent Greaves	Boots	You leave behind a trail of frost that Chills enemies. You deal x% more damage to Chilled enemies.	Remorseful devotees of the Cathedral of Light must undertake a grueling pilgrimage, journeying across the frigid glacier known as the Serac Rapture. Only then may their gravest sins be forgiven.
Razorplate	Chest	Gain x Thorns	Crafted by the cannibal Armoda, each piece of this interlocking armor has been sharpened into a knife's edge. Even a century after death, the plate remained on her corpse, unable to be removed safely.
Fists of Fate	Gloves	Your attacks randomly deal x% to y% of their normal damage.	"Will you let fear cheat you, or will you risk everything to find understanding? After all, death is simply the coin with which we purchase life." - Zurke
Frostburn	Gloves	Lucky Hit: Up to a x% chance to Freeze enemies for x seconds.	A touch so frigid it stops the heart and chills the very soul.
Andariel's Visage	Helm	Lucky Hit: Up to a x% chance to trigger a poison nova that applies x Poisoning damage over x seconds to enemies in the area.	The horrific whispers of the Maiden of Anguish flicker through your mind, pushing you ever closer to madness...
Harlequin Crest	Helm	Gain x% Damage Reduction. In addition, gain +x Ranks to all Skills.	"This headdress was once worn by an assassin disguised as a court mage. Her treachery was unveiled, but not before she used its magic to curse the king's entire lineage." - The Fall of House Aston
Temerity	Pants	Effects that Heal you beyond x% Life grant you a Barrier up to x% of your Maximum Life that lasts for x seconds.	"The revelation that master tailor Callas was in fact a witch only served to further fuel the desire for her uniquely enchanted legwraps." - Barrett's Book of Implements
Mother's Embrace	Ring	If a Core Skill hits x or more enemies, x% of the Resource cost is refunded.	"Every tome, every scroll, every book in this temple produces the same answer. The only being willing to stand against the Eternal Conflict, against the Prime Evils, was Lilith." - Elias
Ring of Starless Skies	Ring	Each consecutive Core Skill cast reduces the Resource cost of your next Core Skill by x%, up to a maximum of x%.	"Yours is the power to pluck the stars from the heavens with the ease of a child gathering fruit from the bough." - Unknown

I am very new to this. I have been listening to reddit stories on YouTube and have been really interested even addicted to listening to all the relationship stories. I realize that the stories I hear on YouTube have been curated and only the best or most popular comments are the ones read aloud. but I've heard so much good advice that I was hoping to bring my family relationship here and hopes to get some good advice. I have to admit I'm a little afraid of the hate that I hear about but anyway let's get started.
I, female, 50ish have a really big involved family. Even though my family identifies strongly with our heritage, and even though many of us are bilingual, we are every bit Americans and have been here, in the US (legally) for many generations. Most of my family is also in general very good looking, healthy, strong people and are very proud of this. When I say we are very good looking, robust and vigorous people I'm telling you this because this is pertinent to the story.
Needless to say my family is full of really big personalities. I myself have always been shy and introverted. My family is loud and boisterous and they call themselves Bigger than Life. My family refers to our collective and individual good looks as "the family blessing". I have never really enjoyed the big family parties and gatherings over the years. Until recently I always just chalked it up to not enjoying big events or loud and boisterous interactions, but lately I have figured out that I honestly really don't even like most of my family. Not only are they big and proud and loud but they are ableists in the worst way. Let me explain.
Okay I just had to erase the last paragraph because I really don't want my family to recognize themselves in this story so I can't tell you some of the background. What I can tell you is that I have a cousin, let's call her Chelsea. Chelsea was born with a disability. Her parents did not fight for custody as my big brawny, good looking uncle could not handle the fact that she was disabled and gave her up to her Mother completely. He says it's because he was baby trapped. He was forced to pay child support. We did not see Chelsea for many many years as she lived with her Mother and her Father was loath to bring her around. (Chelsea would disagree with this part as in her mind and heart her Father loves her and maybe he does in his own way but, I can’t see it) Not only that, when Chelsea reached adulthood at the age of 22, my uncle sued her, Yes! his own daughter, for back child support. He asked her to testify that she was perfectly able to pay and therefore he won. Because she had a good paying job and a Pell Grant to begin an education I guess the Judge decided that she was set and could pay the back child support which she did.
Chelsea is now in her mid to late 30s and has had a very hard life due to her disability. She has not been able to make a salary much over the poverty line and has experienced a lot of discrimination and been passed up for promotions and even forced out of jobs because of ableists prejudice against her disability and Etc. Chelsea is single and lives alone unlike every other member of our family who has parents, husbands, wives, siblings and children. I don't want to say exactly what her disability is again because I want to keep anonymity, however I will say that her disability is apparent to anyone who looks at her and it does make it difficult for her mobility. She does use Mobility AIDS but is unable to drive herself anywhere.
Recently one of my other cousins had a big wedding. This cousin, Brittany, has had both her mother, my aunt and her father with her all her life doting on her every achievement including her dominating in sports as she is big, brawny, beautiful and brainy, basically Bigger than Life. The wedding was beautiful and she was supported by her entire…Our entire, huge family.
One of my Aunty's who is now in her late eighties came to the wedding and tottered about as she has balance issues and trouble with her feet, but she refused to use her cane or bring her walker because in her words, " I would rather die than be seen like that” that meaning using a Mobility device, despite being a fall risk.
At one point the wedding party was to be transported to a second venue. But something had happened and transport was delayed. No one considered my cousin, Chelsea or my Aunty (who refused to use her cane and so was a fall risk), or my other cousin who had sprained her ankle or the bride's mother's best friend who has a crippling disease that she has contracted in her older years that requires her to use a wheelchair. The wedding party was directed to walk to the second venue. I eventually had to speak up for those who could not walk as they were all, every single one of them, not willing to, “mess up the wedding party for everyone else”. The bride's mother's best friend disappeared, I assume because she knew that she wasn't going to be able to make it to the second venue without help. I could tell the bride was not happy that we couldn't just all walk to the next venue and it did seem to mess up the wedding party for everyone else as it took a lot longer for us to wait for transportation. But wait, there's more.
Every time the family was expected to be in a photograph I noticed my cousin Chelsea would get run over, cut in front of and twice she was almost pushed over. She seriously lost her balance on two occasions and was luckily caught by someone one time and was able to rite herself the second time. All she was trying to do was to move to the front to be in the family wedding pictures as she was called to do, but just like being out in the general public, she was worse than disregarded. Worse because she was actually put in danger by able-bodied people pushing past her and not just people, these were Her people, these are Her family. Anyway this isn't even the biggest issue.
The biggest issue is a couple of months down the road when she sent out a family text message. Basically Chelsea was frustrated because she gets left out of a lot of family events because people don't want to give her a ride. She's not told about Family events so that nobody has to worry about who is going to transport her. (But she always finds out after the fact because they post on social media!) she didn't mention that part in her text. What she did mention is that she would like help figuring out how to get rides to family events. She mentioned a previous family event that she was unable to get a ride to. She had asked another cousin, Let's call her Anna, who wasn't able to do it. Chelsea Was frustrated and tired and didn't feel like making 10 phone calls to get a ride so she just gave up after asking Anna. She did mention this in the text and said that she didn't mean to throw Anna under the bus but that she was just letting people know what it's like and how she feels And can she get some help for next time. Anna decided that she HAD been thrown under the bus (metaphorically of course) but you would have thought that she was actually pushed under a real bus the way that she reacted. The story is, after reading Chelsea's text, Anna went into full panic mode gasping for air and went into the fetal position (My mother told me that Anna (a grown, adult woman with a husband, two parents [with money] and great career, also, in the Bigger than Life crowd) was actually in the fetal position because, "Chelsea was mean to her in front of the whole family." There is a whole second text chain of family, that didn't include Chelsea so they could talk about and rally poor Anna.
To be fair, I do not want to discount unseen disabilities like mental illness here, but, rest assured Anna doesn't have any of these issues. Believe me, the whole family would know about it.
Anna's husband then called Chelsea and chewed her out and told her how ungrateful she was and that they would no longer be giving her any rides anywhere because of her behavior. Her behavior being that she sent out a text message asking for help. Not only that but another male cousin called Chelsea and berated her for being so mean to Sweet Anna.
Now, here's the kicker. I'm ready to take my cousin Chelsea and call ourselves a family and disown the rest of the family, but she loves them and she knows they love her, even if they don't know how to show it. I think this reeks of ableism and it makes me sick. I want to know what to do from this point that will help Chelsea and maybe even our family. Because I saw so much good advice here I thought maybe I would try it out. Thank you in advance for anything that you have to say. TLDR My disabled cousin is misunderstood by our ableist family

!!!Please have in mind that this is only my opinion, I'm not trying to insult anyone!!!
I've been playing for a long time, so here are my thoughts on every item that costs real money:
I bought the "UMBRELLAS for rainy days" just because they look cute and it only costs 0.77$, but you can't really get any profit out of them so I guess that's why they're cheap.
I also bought the "PENGUIN angler" and honestly it was the best purchase ever. I really hate fishing on my own and have in mind that you'll always need fish (for collection, aquarium and feeding). Plus it was 3.84$ (somewhat cheap)
"Crane master RED PANDA" 5,73$, "MONKEY aeronaut" 5,73$ and "MOLE delivery man" 7,64$ would be useful for grinding gold faster earlier in the game, also not having to do everything on your own would be great, but I have almost everything maxed out so I personally wouldn't profit from them as much as someone who is just starting the game.
"fairy TREE" 7,64$ for double recipe points. Personally no. "giant TORTOISE warehouse" 19.09$ just to receive more money after being offline. Hell no. "eerie BASEMENT" 19.09$ for extra recipe points at night. Again, hell no.
"ICE CAVE" 22,19$ and "sweet and sour FOUNTAIN" 22.91$ are pretty expensive, but 50% increased price on juice and grilled dishes is a somewhat good deal for that much money if you plan on playing the game for a long time and again if you're a beginner.
"A little SWAN follows you!" 38,18$ for only 25% discount on facility upgrades. I can see how that can be useful if you are inpatient to max everything out, but that much money is just too much.
And finally "AD manager office" which you can upgrade to lvl 3 which would rid you from ads once and for all (honestly it would be the best decision ever) but to get there you need to spend 45.82$ which is understandable for what you're getting, but again, it's a lot of money. Personally I am not made out of money so I will gladly continue to waste my time watching the ads.
Many of these items have gems with them and other stuff, so that could influence the price as well... I think it would be better if they gave us the option to choose whether we want the additional items with the main item or not.
At the end I would like to mention the skins and items that serve no purpose other than looking adorable: If I'm gonna spend money on the game I would like to have some benefit from the iteams. But again if it makes you happy and if you can afford it without saying "maybe it's too much..." then go for it. Enjoy little thing in life (even if they are expensive)...
If you are waiting for a discount to buy something you're wasting your time. As I gathered all of the discounts are fake, the price stays the same.
Hope this helps!

Hello, thank you for reading and I hope you are having a great day. I know we are all looking for certain things here and, I was hoping to find a fun woman to hang out with and possibly have some fun with. I just want to meet someone fun to share some time with and see where it takes us. Ideally this would be a good friendship, hanging out, talking, and such but would love it to also include some snuggling up to some movies and even some kissing, love a good make-out session. Maybe even some breast play and pussy eating, love pleasuring a woman like that. If it gets a bit hotter then that well that is awesome. But for right now we could just make this an awesome hangout for a couple of people helping pass the days. What I am looking for does not have to include anything more intimate then just being friends,but hey we could all use a little extra comfort and fun. So yeah boiling this down, it would be a friends with benefits sort of thing, with a larger emphasis on the friends part.
Anyway, a little more about me. I am a 37 year old single white guy over in the Spring/The Woodlands area. I have my own place, so we can hang out there if we are comfortable with each other. I am a BHM but rather call myself a big cuddly teddy bear. I am fully vaxxed against COVID, have gotten my booster too (I know some people have very strong opinions about this topic so I just wanted to get this out of the way right off the bat), and am 100% DDF. I can share pictures, SFW kinds after we chat a bit as I do have a professional job. As for personality, well I am a bit of a nerd. I love tabletop gaming, and love to share that and my other nerdy interests with others. So is you ever wanted to lean D&D, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, or another tabletop RPG like that I would be happy to teach you. I also enjoy Magic the Gathering as well, though I do not play it as much as I used to. Could always use another friend up for a few games. Well, that is a quick rundown of me.
As to what I am looking for, My big requirement is that you are a woman. I am straight, so that is just my preference. But yeah, as long as you are a fun person, then I think we will hit things off really well. So yeah, will wrap this up by saying thank you for reading and I hope to hear from you soon. Lets see if we can have fun together. And who knows, if we hit it off we could make this a regular thing too.
P.S. Oh and just because it does seem needed, please tell me a little about yourself. Just a hello really does not give me a lot to start a conversation with. Same with just asking for pictures. We can exchange those when we are both comfortable with each other.

Ok, so I am not an avid d2 fan. Most of my early arpg was bald yes gate dark alliance on PlayStation. In fact I barely played d2 back in the day, maybe act 1. I did however ultimately end up playing a lot of d3. I bought it initially off the name Diablo alone and because I had missed out on 2. Had no strong opinions either way at launch, kept picking up and putting it down. After reaper of souls I started getting into seasons and ended up loving rift gameplay. I love builds that are fun to execute. And I loved speedrunning rifts. There was a time that I thought to myself I wanted some changes, things that would make it more like baldurs gate. I wanted gameplay to be a little slower, enemies a pinch harder to kill, and less in number, I wanted all items to be potentially an upgrade not just legendaries. However by the end of my d3 career those are all things I didn’t want anymore, nothing that slows down my breakneck rift pace.
So when I started looking into d4 and saw some of the dev streams and some of their visions were thing I once wanted but no longer did I’ve been curious. I’ve been following with skepticism. Most recently I’m coming off a long lost ark run. Which I ultimately consider a bad thing, so my biggest fear coming to d4 was that it’d be too much (or maybe any) lost ark. I got into the early access for just one day which I played, got through the story, hit 25, did -most- of the side stuff. Played a Sorc, hodgepodge’d spells, whatever worked, a lot of chain lightning and hydra until stumbling into a “build” of icicles and nova here’s a few bullet points that I noticed
The atmosphere is great, feels dark and like what I’d want from Diablo, visuals are nice. Little things like seeing your character in scenes or your hair moving stuff like that.
Spell effects that I saw are largely pleasing. One design choice I hated in d3 was like your monk holding a staff which teleports to his back for him to punch, that seems to be changed to them acknowledging they are holding something. Instead of a goofy orange beam Sorc incinerate was a jet of fire and I liked it. The frozen effect being wind swept icicles was pleasing.
Combat is combat, it’s the same as alway, early mobs seem to be a little slower to die and it’s whatever. Later when I found my build I felt like being in d3 again. Walk up to a pack press 1 they all died.
The talent tree doesn’t seem nearly as big or complicated as I feel like I was anticipating. In fact, early in it hardly feels different than d3. As I got more acquainted and realized some silly but obvious things like I’m not required to take a skill from each tier or could take more than one I realized there’s some potential for builds. Still, depending on what there is we haven’t seen along the lines of legendary effects paragon or whatever. Builds seem a little stale but I don’t know
Initially the gathering was really annoying. Can’t describe it. It’s just not what I want in Diablo. Feels like it brings everything to a halt to click a shrub
Game feels like it really wants to be played multiplayer. Perhaps even with a party where the members specialize in trash cleasingle target etc. but that will depend on what builds look like down the line
Despite wanting to be multiplayer trying to get people in a party is a pain. Other players just kinda exist in your world but are less than easy to interact with very clunky. And the fact that I can’t simply right click their portrait for basic functionality that existed already in diablos was annoying
Many tooltips are not totally clear what they do. And at least for right now it’s often difficult to tell if an item would be an upgrade or not. There’s a ton of potential affixes and they are somewhat convoluted and would require a tremendous amount of figuring to math them all out
With how many stats there are and not know how they interact endgame builds could potentially turn into waiting for hyper specific items to drop
Many of the lost ark inspired elements or just many elements in general just feel stuffed in. No substance, just stuff added for the sake of more stuff.
Classes seemed very unbalanced, namely barb looks like it really takes some effort to get off the ground, I didn’t play it myself but I’ve heard it from several people
Some of the skills feel clearly better than others. Some skills are amazing and some seems bad, once again who knows how they end up with unreleased stuff if there is any? Or perhaps I lacked imagination. But chain lighting was fantastic. Great aoe but also shreds single target. Other skills seemed to be good at neither. The shock blast skill in the same tier could be cast like one time and you were oom and that was it. May or may not even kill something when it hits. Others just feel clunky, especially with how little mana I always seemed to have. Frost orb was ok for crowds but with almost all of its damage on the explosion it struggled against enemies that were close, fireball just seemed to not feel great, it would hit a few enemies and then you were oom, and if you had fire bolt that skill just feels like it struggles to anything. Which would be fine if chain lighting just didn’t feel like it was better than all of those skills at everything Balance In general seemed off.
Encountering the butcher was pretty cool. I just like the concept. But he feels bordering on impossible solo if you werent built with him in mind, and not hard at all if you have a party member
The mmo aspects I had limited interaction with. Getting into a party at all was not intuitive, very clunky even once I figured out how to invite and I was unable to get a single person to accept a party invite. Also the fact that there is no say chat channel to talk to people right next to me is ridiculous. Nor is it easy to whisper them directly because you can’t click on them, you have to operate through a social menu and go to the local tab, and it’s more like a past tense nearby tab because people you are looking at are never in it. It also seems to update slowly. Beyond that you’ll just occasionally see someone else in the world, and lost ark style they most likely won’t interact with you. And mostly their presence equates to a little pop up about how you got bonus xp for being near another player. Apparently there exist world bosses, I was told they were at specific times and I never got a chance to see it so I don’t know what it’s like. I assume just like lost ark overall the ui is not good. It’s quite disappointing.
It’s also hard to tell what endgame would be like. I personally loved running rifts in 3, If 4 is just resetting dungeons that could get stale, also if the pace remains kinda slow that could also get stale.
I’m not a build maker. Usually by the time I get into one of these games it’s so poured over everything has been figured out, and I just copy an existing one from somewhere. But actually doing it a little, and coming up with something that worked did spark a little something in me, and multiplied my enjoyment and excitement quite a bit
The level scaling is an issue, makes leveling not feel great, in conjunction if there’s actually a bunch of hidden complexity at the end this makes me extra worried about their vision for respec to eventually get to the point where you’d rather just make a new character than respec
To sum it up ultimately I did enjoy it, and I’m looking forward to next weekend so I can try more classes. But I have my doubts. Ultimately I think it depends on if you care about 70 bucks. I think at a minimum think the game is worth playing to level cap and seeing, to story was compelling enough especially when taken in combination with the lore that leads up to it. and I most likely will do that. But will it hold up past? I dunno. If 70 bucks is a big deal to you though I don’t know if I’d give it a shining endorsement at launch, maybe wait a few weeks and see what people say I feel like in some time with proper changes it could be a great game. I’m not certain it will be at launch.

Longtime lurker, first time poster. My Wife (32) and I (31) have been Married since October, and we're still navigating our rhythm of married life. My FIL came with my MIL to our house to let our young dogs out for an hour while we were at work. Normal routine, but FIL normally doesn't tag along. I have an old guitar that sits on a stand in the sitting room, needs work done to it so I'm not playing it currently until I can take it for repairs. A fact not explicitly stated.

 Halfway through my workday, I get a text saying that he tuned up my guitar and it sounds good. Im a bit irritated that my guitar has been messed with, so when I get home I check it over, nothing seems broken, great. Later on that evening we end up in an hours long disagreement over my being upset. I was raised such that, if I'm visiting someone's home, I'll ask before I touch any of their Posessions. Even within my side of the family a, " Mind if I play that for a little bit?" Gets asked, it's a respect thing since what I'm wanting to examine/pick up doesn't belong to me. My wife has lots of musicians in her side of the family, and they treat instruments such that if they're left out, thats with the understanding that they might be picked up and played. Since to them, instruments are meant to be played as a accompanyment to a social gathering. She thinks I'm being too rigid with my guitar and shouldn't leave it in view if I don't want it played. I'm of the mindset that people should ask before picking up other people's Posessions. I wouldn't even care that much about other things, books etc. But the guitar is an old heirloom from my grandfather, now mine. What's y'all's take on this? Ever have any solar disagreements? Is there a 'Correct' point of view? Thanks for reading.