Ear nose and throat yuma az
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria colonizing the body: the unifying agent of acute and chronic disease
2014.09.19 01:24 healthyalmonds Staphylococcus aureus bacteria colonizing the body: the unifying agent of acute and chronic disease
Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that can live in the nostrils, ears, mouth, tonsils, and skin. It may cause or be associated with your congestion, swollen lymph nodes, sinus problems, allergies, sore throat, eczema, rosacea, acne, cystic pimples, folliculitis, bowel disease, chronic fatigue, diabetes, lupus, weight gain, hair loss, and other diseases. Chlorhexidine, iodine, or Triple Antibiotic Ointment (Neosporin) may stop the Staph infection. See inside for more information.
2023.06.04 19:16 omgggikr Am I getting shingles again?
30/f - I’ll post a picture in the comments.
I woke up with a rash on my face May 4th after the right side of my face was tingling and turned bright red the day before. It was all around my right eye, nose, and in my eyebrow. Had radiating nerve pain to my ear and jaw. The doctor diagnosed me with shingles and prescribed me Valtrex, which cleared up the initial rash pretty quickly, but then I started getting the same thing on the left on day 2/3.
Since bilateral shingles is so uncommon, my doctor then figured it wasn’t shingles so he ordered HSV testing that was negative. My one year old woke up with the chicken pox yesterday, so assuming it really was shingles all along.
Since it was ocular I did go to the eye doctor and there was inflammation she had prescribed steroid drops for that I’m finished with now.
After all the patches cleared up, I was still left with a faint purple rash on both my eyelids and a rough red patch on the very side of both eyes. The past few days I’ve been waking up with my eyes crusted over again (the same thing that happened to me for a few days before initial outbreak), pain, some itching, and now these red patches appeared on my eyelids.
Could shingles come back this quickly? Did it never really go away? Does it look like something else? I am currently waiting on lab results for ANA and RA blood testing because I’ve had a plethora of other weird rashes and issues for the past month.
I do take a Humira injection every Friday for Crohn’s disease that I just started in February (only stopped for the week I was on valtrex).
submitted by omgggikr to AskDocs [link] [comments]
I woke up with a rash on my face May 4th after the right side of my face was tingling and turned bright red the day before. It was all around my right eye, nose, and in my eyebrow. Had radiating nerve pain to my ear and jaw. The doctor diagnosed me with shingles and prescribed me Valtrex, which cleared up the initial rash pretty quickly, but then I started getting the same thing on the left on day 2/3.
Since bilateral shingles is so uncommon, my doctor then figured it wasn’t shingles so he ordered HSV testing that was negative. My one year old woke up with the chicken pox yesterday, so assuming it really was shingles all along.
Since it was ocular I did go to the eye doctor and there was inflammation she had prescribed steroid drops for that I’m finished with now.
After all the patches cleared up, I was still left with a faint purple rash on both my eyelids and a rough red patch on the very side of both eyes. The past few days I’ve been waking up with my eyes crusted over again (the same thing that happened to me for a few days before initial outbreak), pain, some itching, and now these red patches appeared on my eyelids.
Could shingles come back this quickly? Did it never really go away? Does it look like something else? I am currently waiting on lab results for ANA and RA blood testing because I’ve had a plethora of other weird rashes and issues for the past month.
I do take a Humira injection every Friday for Crohn’s disease that I just started in February (only stopped for the week I was on valtrex).
2023.06.04 19:12 Complex-Team3693 Popping your ears intentionally
Anyone notice any issues with popping your ears? I live in CO and change elevations frequently. When I plug my nose and pressurize, I no longer get my ears to pop. Wondering if long Covid related. Be well.
submitted by Complex-Team3693 to LongCovid [link] [comments]
2023.06.04 19:10 tulpacat1 To Kill a Predator, Chapter 23
Hi everyone.
To Kill a Predator is a work of fan fiction set in the Nature of Predators universe originally created by SpacePaladin15 whose Patreon you should subscribe to.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Depiction does not equal endorsement.
Hope you enjoy it!
[First] [Previous]
---
Memory transcription subject: Martin Russo, Human Refugee
Date [standardized human time]: November 30th, 2136
“Wait”. The voice is so sudden I don’t even realize it’s my own at first.
Mosun looks up at me, confused. I’m confused too. Thiva’s right in there. I want to storm in, but there’s something wrong, there’s
A recording of a crying baby
I shake my head and step back, motioning for him to follow me.
Another scream echoes through the hall. Mosun swallows, but lets go of the handle.
Think. You’re in charge of a bunch of terrorists all gung-ho to go Helter Skelter on humanity. You’re a sadistic alien psychopath. You mutilate animals. You keep trophies. You don’t give a damn about your sister. You kill humans. Your tools for that are firebombs that go off when they open doors, and recordings of vulnerable things in distress.
But why here? Why set the trap here? Taking her to a second location makes more sense. Why your base, or this close to it? Why are you luring the human here?
It’s not because he’s here too soon. You expected the warpath right away. You know their empathy and protective instincts overrides their rationality. You might not have expected him to gather a posse, but you know the humans are social animals. You had to know it was a possibility.
So why… Here…
Mosun whispers. “Martin, what’s the matter? Why aren’t we going in?”
There’s something I’m missing. Think. Think! You were happy to get the first human kills while you weren’t even in the area. You might’ve placed the traps or had your mooks do it but either way you were fine with being absent when they went off. Why is this time different?
It’s because the humans were gathered in one place, isn’t it? The fire wasn’t about killing us. It was about scattering us and leaving us solitary enough to hunt. Or maybe... Maybe it didn’t satisfy, didn’t scratch that itch. No trophies, no mutilations.
Because you are a predator. An ambush predator. You want to be close to the trap, like a spider. You want to look the human in the eyes as he dies, and take something to remember the kill by.
You’re here, somewhere.
I swallow, and look at the door. It slides open, like almost all Venlil doors.
Alright, time to Human.
I take the strap to my rifle, and gingerly unsling it from the weapon. I grab one of my last zip ties and loop it around the handle, and in the buckle of the strap.
Mosun flicks his ear in a Venlil-esque sign for understanding and agreement at once, and moves down the hallway. I follow him.
The strap and zip-tie together are perhaps two meters in length, so with a bit of an annoyed grunt I take off my belt and add that to the makeshift rope. That gives me a little under a meter extra.
I hand the rifle to Mosun, and hold a hand up to him while clutching the rope in the other.
Three. Two. One.
I close my eyes and turn away in one single motion, tugging at the door handle. As soon as the door parts from the frame there’s a blast, sending me and Mosun to the ground. The air stinks of wood-pulp, smoke, and dust.
Jesus Christ!!
My ears are ringing as I get on my unsteady feet and grasp the rifle from Mosun, stumbling my way to the ruined doorway and peering inside.
The room is empty but for shrapnel and debris and a cloud of dust. None of it looks like it was alive.
Oh thank God, the bastards weren’t using live bait.
With the high-pitched ringing slowly subsiding I take a few steps down the hall, before falling to one knee from disorientation.
I don’t hear the Exterminator storm up the stairs. But I see them just fine.
The visor’s reflective. The armor’s bulky. The flamethrower’s lit.
With Mosun behind me in the small hallway, there’s nowhere to run. No time to think.
This isn’t aiming at someone’s back, or a sleeping and prone body. I don’t have time to hesitate, so I don’t.
I start shooting from the hip and raise the gun to my shoulder while firing. The weapon jumps in my hand with each pull of the trigger, and from my awkward stance I have quantity stand in for quality. Wood splinters fly from the wall behind the Exterminator, who jerks as some of the shots strike true.
After swaying for a second and losing their grip on their flamethrower, they tumble right down the stairs. The weapon clatters down after them, connected to their fuel tank.
I get to my feet and try to rush over to the stairs. I slam into the wall for my trouble, but get my bearings and raise the rifle.
The Exterminator’s laying prone at the foot of the stairs. They stir weakly and move a paw toward their weapon.
I fire another salvo of rounds. The sound echoes and makes my ears hurt even worse than the blast already did. The Exterminator jerks a couple of times, lets out a shuddering breath, and then goes still.
They’re dead. This is it. I killed someone.
I expect it to hit me like a sledgehammer. I expect to end up doubled over, hurling my guts out. That’s what you always see in the movies.
Instead my response is as anticlimactic as the killing itself: I just hope it was Renak.
I feel Mosun’s hand on my back. He speaks with quiet sympathy. “…Are you alright?”
I sigh slowly. “Yeah… Yeah. Predator, remember?”
Some of his usual energy creeps back into his voice. “Oh, I see how it is. You get to say it.”
We head down the stairs while I fiddle with my makeshift rope to restore my belt and rifle sling to their proper places. The sling needs to be tied into a knot to be put to use, as the buckle is beyond saving. “Yeah. I’m sure I’ll break down later, but for now we have a- MOVE!!”
I see a cylinder about half the size of a Pringles can roll into the room, and push Mosun forcibly into the kitchen. To his credit he doesn’t question it, instead lunging past me.
Instead of a pipe bomb blast as I had feared, the grenade starts leaking thick white smoke.
They don’t have CS gas and that thing looked homemade. So probably phosphorous.
I look around the kitchen desperately before finding a salad bowl in the dishes. I immediately turn the faucet to full blast to fill the bowl with water while the hissing grenade spreads its noxious fumes. I can start to smell and taste the acrid, garlic-like stench. My body starts coughing, my eyes watering and lungs itching.
Yeah. Phosphorous. Fuck.
Mosun coughs a few times and tries to cover his mouth with his arm. “What are you d-doing?!”
As soon as there’s enough water in the bowl, I turn around and lunge at the grenade. Using an awkward double-handed dunking motion, I trust centripetal force to make it work as I flip the water-filled bowl and slam it down around the grenade.
There’s a mess of sloshing, and a lot of hissing, but no more gas escapes. Water slowly starts to leak out from the bowl’s edges, but by the time it’s done it’ll have stopped the reaction.
“Mosun, w-wash your… Oh FUCK OFF!!”
Halfway through my statement I see another Exterminator enter the room. They step over their fellow’s body without a glance and raise their flamethrower toward us.
I raise my rifle in turn and begin firing: three shots in rapid succession.
Before I’ve had time to adjust my aim they’ve already disappeared from view down the hallway beside the stairs, long tail visible for a split second before vanishing. I’ve never seen a Venlil move as sinuously and quickly as that.
I cough a couple of times and wipe my eyes. It doesn’t help. When Mosun appears with a glass of water however, I can dump it directly onto my face. My stinging eyes cry out with relief.
After just a few seconds of exposure to the gas, I’d love a date with an eyewash station. But it’ll have to wait.
Mosun takes the lead wordlessly, motioning with a paw for me to follow. So I do, stepping over my kill in the process. Unlike the Exterminator, I can’t help but look down at it.
There’s so much less blood than I expected.
As Mosun rounds the corner into the next room, he’s forced into an awkward duck against the doorway as a stun rod swishes through the air. He kicks out at the assailant with a growl, and lunges forward into the other room.
I follow as quickly as I can.
In the living room, the two are already locked in a brawl. Mosun’s shorter than the Exterminator, and has less range.
I make a guess and try to distract them. If the Yotul gives me some distance I can shoot. “Renak!”
The Exterminator freezes for a split second, and Mosun gets a good kick in.
Guess that’s you then, motherfucker.
Renak rolls with the kick and manages to get Mosun’s leg caught in his arm. The stun rod swings down, and Mosun’s forced to block it with his arm. The electricity courses through him and he gasps out, dropping to a knee.
Without a good angle, I drop the rifle and trust my sling to keep it from hitting the ground. Instead I charge in to join the fray.
With a wild and poorly planned left hook, I manage to get Renak to take a single step back. Enough for Mosun to rise to unsteady legs. The little badass weaves a few times as he moves into an elegant-looking stance. “Ambush, ambush, ambush. You only know the one trick, huh?”
In response, Renak drops into his own stance. The stun rod’s held in one paw, high near his shoulder. The other paw’s held outward in a warding gesture.
Feeling left out, I get into a boxer’s stance. Though all this excitement’s making the wounds on my right arm ache and act up.
The three of us are still for a moment. “…There’s just you left, Renak. Your terrorist group’s done for.” Technically there’s one other Exterminator left unaccounted for. But I don’t see a reason to tell him that.
He tilts his head toward me for a second. I see myself reflected in the visor.
Mosun’s the first to move, lunging in low. I charge in right after. Renak doesn’t step back, instead swinging the rod down.
Mosun leans back so far he’s almost prone, using his tail and one arm as leverage to kick up at Renak’s arm and stop the descending blow. The movement is beautiful, and wouldn’t look out of place in some sort of Capoeira. By all rights it should break the arm, but the heavy Exterminator armor takes most of the force.
I come in with my own simple straight punch with my left, but I overextend and Renak swats it aside sharply with his own free arm. Instead of relenting, I jab with my right. I catch him on the shoulder and do little damage.
Renak shifts his stance and raises his baton to swing it downward at me. Mosun moves to intercept, but Renak’s leg lashes out and catches Mosun’s knee from the side. The swing that was coming my way turns into a descending thrust at the Yotul, who gets the baton jabbed straight into his torso.
Mosun’s shriek fills the room as he thrashes under the coruscating electrical blow, and I strike Renak with everything I’ve got in a desperate and unrefined haymaker.
I catch the bastard right in the visor and hear a loud sound. It hurts. Renak staggers back with a yelp, dropping the stun rod, and turns to look squarely at me. I’ve cracked his visor, and probably broken a finger or two in the bargain.
I stare for the length of a breath at the cracks in the reflective surface, seeing my own rage reflected in a dozen fractured images.
Renak calmly reaches behind him and pulls out his sidearm. He doesn’t even glance aside as he extends his arm and puts two bullets into Mosun. The gunshots echo in the enclosed space.
“NO!!” I hear myself shouting as I fumble for my rifle. Renak turns his arm toward me and fires again. I hear the crack and a whistle as a bullet flies right past my head.
A second bullet whizzes past and strikes the door frame, tumbling past with a ricochet whine. It missed only because I’m falling to one knee.
With my own rifle raised, I return fire. We’re firing at each other from mere feet away. I fire three times. I miss the first shot, but the second hits him in the thigh. The third takes him in the side somewhere.
He’s spun around, but empties the gun in my direction as he staggers into a dash out of the room, toward the basement.
It’s only when I rise to my feet that I realize I’ve been shot too. My left leg burns, and can’t carry my weight. I awkwardly hop over to Mosun and kneel to investigate his wounds.
His collarbone’s been shattered by one bullet. Another has caught him on the inside of the shoulder. I don’t know Yotul anatomy, but I’m guessing if it’s caught a lung or an artery he’s in real trouble. “Come on, you can’t leave me alone here; you’re the only one I can talk to.”
He takes a slow breath and doesn’t even bother trying to get up. He simply looks at me and plainly says “Ow.”
I can breathe again. The wound’s leaking, but not spurting. Oh thank God.
“Christ, okay, we gotta get you out of here. I don’t think it’s immediately fatal, but the blood loss is gonna get you if we don’t stop it.”
“Later. Get him, then help.”
I shake my head. “I can’t just-”
He swats at me with his good arm. “Not safe to extract. And still need the girl.”
I look around and end up taking a blanket folded over the couch and handing it to him. “Press this into the wounds, as hard as you can. I’ll be back.”
“Y-You better be. I’ll be upset if you m-make me walk back to the truck on my own.”
I get up and grasp my rifle, and limp my way after Renak.
Unless he’s got another ambush planned in the basement, Thiva is his last chance. And the bastard knows it.
I make my way down the basement steps, but it’s slow going. I have to use my injured right arm to brace myself, holding the rifle ahead with the left. My adrenaline’s starting to go down enough that the leg is starting to really hurt. So’s my left hand.
At the foot of the stairs, Renak’s discarded the helmet. The room contains several boxes of explosives, and flamethrowers.
Their weapons stores. Great.
In the middle of the room there’s a chair. Bound to it is Thiva. She’s got cuts and bruises over her body, and her beautiful fur is matted orange all over.
Behind her stands Renak. He’s got a knife to her throat.
I raise the rifle and stare right at Renak. “Let the girl go.”
Thiva gasps out as she sees me. “Martin!” She tries to lean forward, but the blade presses harder into her neck and she shrinks back into the chair.
Renak stares back at me, head-on and with both eyes. When he speaks, his voice is emotionless and without inflection. He sounds bored. “Move a muscle, predator, and Thiva dies.”
I look at my friend. She looks terrified. “Hey Thiva, don’t worry. I’m here. Everything’s gonna be fine. Alright?”
She gives the tiniest nod.
Renak growls. “Look at me, predator.”
My eyes shift back to his again. They’re dull and empty. Just black beads of glass set into his face. It’s like looking at a machine. A complex structure, but no soul animating it.
My leg is trembling, and I feel hot and sticky blood running down it. “You don’t need the girl. You can just let her go, and we can leave, and nobody else needs to die.”
He blinks slowly. “My sister is better off dead than as a predator’s mate. If I can’t save her body from you, I can save her honor.” To emphasize his point, he lets the knife dig further into her throat. I see some orange running down it, and the fur beneath Thiva’s eyes are damp with tears.
My breathing is heavy, and my aim is shaky. “I stormed a terrorist compound to get this far. I’m not leaving without her. You can have her over my dead body.”
He stares silently for a moment. “Fair enough.”
He raises his other arm toward me with a smooth and mechanical motion. His sidearm is in it.
I pull the trigger.
The bullet takes him in the head. With his strings cut, he drops in a heap.
I drop the rifle and rush forward to undo Thiva’s bindings. As soon as I do, her arms fly around me painfully tightly. I return the hug as best I can.
“Thiva, listen to me. Can you walk?”
She gets up and winces, but nods. “Y-yeah.”
“Okay, good. There’s a Yotul upstairs named Mosun. He needs immediate medical attention. We’ve got a truck waiting, we’re gonna head up and get both of you out there.”
One of her eyes suddenly moves up and stares behind me. I turn in place.
Vansi’s standing in stairway, taking in the scene.
“Thiva… Go. Now. Now!” I rise to my feet and put a hand on her back, walking alongside her for a few steps before she rushes the rest of the way past her mother and up the stairs.
Vansi doesn’t move to stop her. She just stares at the crumpled corpse behind us.
It’s only after I take another step that her eyes snap to me with fury.
And I realize my rifle’s right at her feet.
She snatches it up into trembling paws and aims it right at me.
“Vansi, listen, I-”
The weapon goes off.
I fall to my knees. My hands reach my stomach and feel sticky and wet.
She pulls the trigger again, and it clicks dry. She pulls another few times, but it’s empty.
I rise to my feet and try to lunge past her. But she simply swings the empty rifle at me. It hits my wounded stomach, and I fall to my side. She swings it down on me several more times, snarling and cursing, until the weapon breaks enough that she simply tosses what’s left aside.
It hurts. Jesus Christ it hurts so fucking bad.
I try to think of a way out of this as she staggers past me toward her son. I try to get to my feet again, but fail. I drag myself to the wall, and use it to pull myself up bit by bit. I limp along the wall, smearing trails of my own blood with my hands as I go.
I’m almost at the stairs when I hear an inarticulate scream and feel agony blooming out from my right side. I look down and see the knife, in Vansi’s paws.
Fuck.
I collapse on the ground and try to fend her off with my hands. She stabs me straight through the palm of my right hand, then stabs twice more at my left arm and shoulder. My left arm doesn’t respond to my signals, simply flopping down limply.
With only one chance left, I punch her with my right. Again and again, while she stabs at my torso.
There’s a cold math to blood loss. The more you lose, the weaker you get.
‘So you see, that's how I am going to die.’
Each of my blows does less than the last. My hands and feet feel ice cold, while my chest burns.
‘I'll sneeze in the sunlight, or turn my head a bit too fast when someone wants my attention from my blind spot’
Before long I can’t fight back. I simply lay still and hear my flesh tearing and Vansi screaming in my ears.
‘or show happiness with a smile or a laugh’
I can’t lift a finger or even turn my head as Vansi staggers off of me. My shallow breaths are agony, and I can feel one of my lungs has collapsed.
‘or god forbid I might try to save a life again.’
She returns with something else in her hands. I close my eyes.
‘And then someone like your son will show up and burn me alive for it.’
/// ERROR /// Memory transcription fragmented /// Subject no longer conscious.
---
[First] [Previous]
submitted by tulpacat1 to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]
To Kill a Predator is a work of fan fiction set in the Nature of Predators universe originally created by SpacePaladin15 whose Patreon you should subscribe to.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Depiction does not equal endorsement.
Hope you enjoy it!
[First] [Previous]
---
Memory transcription subject: Martin Russo, Human Refugee
Date [standardized human time]: November 30th, 2136
“Wait”. The voice is so sudden I don’t even realize it’s my own at first.
Mosun looks up at me, confused. I’m confused too. Thiva’s right in there. I want to storm in, but there’s something wrong, there’s
A recording of a crying baby
I shake my head and step back, motioning for him to follow me.
Another scream echoes through the hall. Mosun swallows, but lets go of the handle.
Think. You’re in charge of a bunch of terrorists all gung-ho to go Helter Skelter on humanity. You’re a sadistic alien psychopath. You mutilate animals. You keep trophies. You don’t give a damn about your sister. You kill humans. Your tools for that are firebombs that go off when they open doors, and recordings of vulnerable things in distress.
But why here? Why set the trap here? Taking her to a second location makes more sense. Why your base, or this close to it? Why are you luring the human here?
It’s not because he’s here too soon. You expected the warpath right away. You know their empathy and protective instincts overrides their rationality. You might not have expected him to gather a posse, but you know the humans are social animals. You had to know it was a possibility.
So why… Here…
Mosun whispers. “Martin, what’s the matter? Why aren’t we going in?”
There’s something I’m missing. Think. Think! You were happy to get the first human kills while you weren’t even in the area. You might’ve placed the traps or had your mooks do it but either way you were fine with being absent when they went off. Why is this time different?
It’s because the humans were gathered in one place, isn’t it? The fire wasn’t about killing us. It was about scattering us and leaving us solitary enough to hunt. Or maybe... Maybe it didn’t satisfy, didn’t scratch that itch. No trophies, no mutilations.
Because you are a predator. An ambush predator. You want to be close to the trap, like a spider. You want to look the human in the eyes as he dies, and take something to remember the kill by.
You’re here, somewhere.
I swallow, and look at the door. It slides open, like almost all Venlil doors.
Alright, time to Human.
I take the strap to my rifle, and gingerly unsling it from the weapon. I grab one of my last zip ties and loop it around the handle, and in the buckle of the strap.
Mosun flicks his ear in a Venlil-esque sign for understanding and agreement at once, and moves down the hallway. I follow him.
The strap and zip-tie together are perhaps two meters in length, so with a bit of an annoyed grunt I take off my belt and add that to the makeshift rope. That gives me a little under a meter extra.
I hand the rifle to Mosun, and hold a hand up to him while clutching the rope in the other.
Three. Two. One.
I close my eyes and turn away in one single motion, tugging at the door handle. As soon as the door parts from the frame there’s a blast, sending me and Mosun to the ground. The air stinks of wood-pulp, smoke, and dust.
Jesus Christ!!
My ears are ringing as I get on my unsteady feet and grasp the rifle from Mosun, stumbling my way to the ruined doorway and peering inside.
The room is empty but for shrapnel and debris and a cloud of dust. None of it looks like it was alive.
Oh thank God, the bastards weren’t using live bait.
With the high-pitched ringing slowly subsiding I take a few steps down the hall, before falling to one knee from disorientation.
I don’t hear the Exterminator storm up the stairs. But I see them just fine.
The visor’s reflective. The armor’s bulky. The flamethrower’s lit.
With Mosun behind me in the small hallway, there’s nowhere to run. No time to think.
This isn’t aiming at someone’s back, or a sleeping and prone body. I don’t have time to hesitate, so I don’t.
I start shooting from the hip and raise the gun to my shoulder while firing. The weapon jumps in my hand with each pull of the trigger, and from my awkward stance I have quantity stand in for quality. Wood splinters fly from the wall behind the Exterminator, who jerks as some of the shots strike true.
After swaying for a second and losing their grip on their flamethrower, they tumble right down the stairs. The weapon clatters down after them, connected to their fuel tank.
I get to my feet and try to rush over to the stairs. I slam into the wall for my trouble, but get my bearings and raise the rifle.
The Exterminator’s laying prone at the foot of the stairs. They stir weakly and move a paw toward their weapon.
I fire another salvo of rounds. The sound echoes and makes my ears hurt even worse than the blast already did. The Exterminator jerks a couple of times, lets out a shuddering breath, and then goes still.
They’re dead. This is it. I killed someone.
I expect it to hit me like a sledgehammer. I expect to end up doubled over, hurling my guts out. That’s what you always see in the movies.
Instead my response is as anticlimactic as the killing itself: I just hope it was Renak.
I feel Mosun’s hand on my back. He speaks with quiet sympathy. “…Are you alright?”
I sigh slowly. “Yeah… Yeah. Predator, remember?”
Some of his usual energy creeps back into his voice. “Oh, I see how it is. You get to say it.”
We head down the stairs while I fiddle with my makeshift rope to restore my belt and rifle sling to their proper places. The sling needs to be tied into a knot to be put to use, as the buckle is beyond saving. “Yeah. I’m sure I’ll break down later, but for now we have a- MOVE!!”
I see a cylinder about half the size of a Pringles can roll into the room, and push Mosun forcibly into the kitchen. To his credit he doesn’t question it, instead lunging past me.
Instead of a pipe bomb blast as I had feared, the grenade starts leaking thick white smoke.
They don’t have CS gas and that thing looked homemade. So probably phosphorous.
I look around the kitchen desperately before finding a salad bowl in the dishes. I immediately turn the faucet to full blast to fill the bowl with water while the hissing grenade spreads its noxious fumes. I can start to smell and taste the acrid, garlic-like stench. My body starts coughing, my eyes watering and lungs itching.
Yeah. Phosphorous. Fuck.
Mosun coughs a few times and tries to cover his mouth with his arm. “What are you d-doing?!”
As soon as there’s enough water in the bowl, I turn around and lunge at the grenade. Using an awkward double-handed dunking motion, I trust centripetal force to make it work as I flip the water-filled bowl and slam it down around the grenade.
There’s a mess of sloshing, and a lot of hissing, but no more gas escapes. Water slowly starts to leak out from the bowl’s edges, but by the time it’s done it’ll have stopped the reaction.
“Mosun, w-wash your… Oh FUCK OFF!!”
Halfway through my statement I see another Exterminator enter the room. They step over their fellow’s body without a glance and raise their flamethrower toward us.
I raise my rifle in turn and begin firing: three shots in rapid succession.
Before I’ve had time to adjust my aim they’ve already disappeared from view down the hallway beside the stairs, long tail visible for a split second before vanishing. I’ve never seen a Venlil move as sinuously and quickly as that.
I cough a couple of times and wipe my eyes. It doesn’t help. When Mosun appears with a glass of water however, I can dump it directly onto my face. My stinging eyes cry out with relief.
After just a few seconds of exposure to the gas, I’d love a date with an eyewash station. But it’ll have to wait.
Mosun takes the lead wordlessly, motioning with a paw for me to follow. So I do, stepping over my kill in the process. Unlike the Exterminator, I can’t help but look down at it.
There’s so much less blood than I expected.
As Mosun rounds the corner into the next room, he’s forced into an awkward duck against the doorway as a stun rod swishes through the air. He kicks out at the assailant with a growl, and lunges forward into the other room.
I follow as quickly as I can.
In the living room, the two are already locked in a brawl. Mosun’s shorter than the Exterminator, and has less range.
I make a guess and try to distract them. If the Yotul gives me some distance I can shoot. “Renak!”
The Exterminator freezes for a split second, and Mosun gets a good kick in.
Guess that’s you then, motherfucker.
Renak rolls with the kick and manages to get Mosun’s leg caught in his arm. The stun rod swings down, and Mosun’s forced to block it with his arm. The electricity courses through him and he gasps out, dropping to a knee.
Without a good angle, I drop the rifle and trust my sling to keep it from hitting the ground. Instead I charge in to join the fray.
With a wild and poorly planned left hook, I manage to get Renak to take a single step back. Enough for Mosun to rise to unsteady legs. The little badass weaves a few times as he moves into an elegant-looking stance. “Ambush, ambush, ambush. You only know the one trick, huh?”
In response, Renak drops into his own stance. The stun rod’s held in one paw, high near his shoulder. The other paw’s held outward in a warding gesture.
Feeling left out, I get into a boxer’s stance. Though all this excitement’s making the wounds on my right arm ache and act up.
The three of us are still for a moment. “…There’s just you left, Renak. Your terrorist group’s done for.” Technically there’s one other Exterminator left unaccounted for. But I don’t see a reason to tell him that.
He tilts his head toward me for a second. I see myself reflected in the visor.
Mosun’s the first to move, lunging in low. I charge in right after. Renak doesn’t step back, instead swinging the rod down.
Mosun leans back so far he’s almost prone, using his tail and one arm as leverage to kick up at Renak’s arm and stop the descending blow. The movement is beautiful, and wouldn’t look out of place in some sort of Capoeira. By all rights it should break the arm, but the heavy Exterminator armor takes most of the force.
I come in with my own simple straight punch with my left, but I overextend and Renak swats it aside sharply with his own free arm. Instead of relenting, I jab with my right. I catch him on the shoulder and do little damage.
Renak shifts his stance and raises his baton to swing it downward at me. Mosun moves to intercept, but Renak’s leg lashes out and catches Mosun’s knee from the side. The swing that was coming my way turns into a descending thrust at the Yotul, who gets the baton jabbed straight into his torso.
Mosun’s shriek fills the room as he thrashes under the coruscating electrical blow, and I strike Renak with everything I’ve got in a desperate and unrefined haymaker.
I catch the bastard right in the visor and hear a loud sound. It hurts. Renak staggers back with a yelp, dropping the stun rod, and turns to look squarely at me. I’ve cracked his visor, and probably broken a finger or two in the bargain.
I stare for the length of a breath at the cracks in the reflective surface, seeing my own rage reflected in a dozen fractured images.
Renak calmly reaches behind him and pulls out his sidearm. He doesn’t even glance aside as he extends his arm and puts two bullets into Mosun. The gunshots echo in the enclosed space.
“NO!!” I hear myself shouting as I fumble for my rifle. Renak turns his arm toward me and fires again. I hear the crack and a whistle as a bullet flies right past my head.
A second bullet whizzes past and strikes the door frame, tumbling past with a ricochet whine. It missed only because I’m falling to one knee.
With my own rifle raised, I return fire. We’re firing at each other from mere feet away. I fire three times. I miss the first shot, but the second hits him in the thigh. The third takes him in the side somewhere.
He’s spun around, but empties the gun in my direction as he staggers into a dash out of the room, toward the basement.
It’s only when I rise to my feet that I realize I’ve been shot too. My left leg burns, and can’t carry my weight. I awkwardly hop over to Mosun and kneel to investigate his wounds.
His collarbone’s been shattered by one bullet. Another has caught him on the inside of the shoulder. I don’t know Yotul anatomy, but I’m guessing if it’s caught a lung or an artery he’s in real trouble. “Come on, you can’t leave me alone here; you’re the only one I can talk to.”
He takes a slow breath and doesn’t even bother trying to get up. He simply looks at me and plainly says “Ow.”
I can breathe again. The wound’s leaking, but not spurting. Oh thank God.
“Christ, okay, we gotta get you out of here. I don’t think it’s immediately fatal, but the blood loss is gonna get you if we don’t stop it.”
“Later. Get him, then help.”
I shake my head. “I can’t just-”
He swats at me with his good arm. “Not safe to extract. And still need the girl.”
I look around and end up taking a blanket folded over the couch and handing it to him. “Press this into the wounds, as hard as you can. I’ll be back.”
“Y-You better be. I’ll be upset if you m-make me walk back to the truck on my own.”
I get up and grasp my rifle, and limp my way after Renak.
Unless he’s got another ambush planned in the basement, Thiva is his last chance. And the bastard knows it.
I make my way down the basement steps, but it’s slow going. I have to use my injured right arm to brace myself, holding the rifle ahead with the left. My adrenaline’s starting to go down enough that the leg is starting to really hurt. So’s my left hand.
At the foot of the stairs, Renak’s discarded the helmet. The room contains several boxes of explosives, and flamethrowers.
Their weapons stores. Great.
In the middle of the room there’s a chair. Bound to it is Thiva. She’s got cuts and bruises over her body, and her beautiful fur is matted orange all over.
Behind her stands Renak. He’s got a knife to her throat.
I raise the rifle and stare right at Renak. “Let the girl go.”
Thiva gasps out as she sees me. “Martin!” She tries to lean forward, but the blade presses harder into her neck and she shrinks back into the chair.
Renak stares back at me, head-on and with both eyes. When he speaks, his voice is emotionless and without inflection. He sounds bored. “Move a muscle, predator, and Thiva dies.”
I look at my friend. She looks terrified. “Hey Thiva, don’t worry. I’m here. Everything’s gonna be fine. Alright?”
She gives the tiniest nod.
Renak growls. “Look at me, predator.”
My eyes shift back to his again. They’re dull and empty. Just black beads of glass set into his face. It’s like looking at a machine. A complex structure, but no soul animating it.
My leg is trembling, and I feel hot and sticky blood running down it. “You don’t need the girl. You can just let her go, and we can leave, and nobody else needs to die.”
He blinks slowly. “My sister is better off dead than as a predator’s mate. If I can’t save her body from you, I can save her honor.” To emphasize his point, he lets the knife dig further into her throat. I see some orange running down it, and the fur beneath Thiva’s eyes are damp with tears.
My breathing is heavy, and my aim is shaky. “I stormed a terrorist compound to get this far. I’m not leaving without her. You can have her over my dead body.”
He stares silently for a moment. “Fair enough.”
He raises his other arm toward me with a smooth and mechanical motion. His sidearm is in it.
I pull the trigger.
The bullet takes him in the head. With his strings cut, he drops in a heap.
I drop the rifle and rush forward to undo Thiva’s bindings. As soon as I do, her arms fly around me painfully tightly. I return the hug as best I can.
“Thiva, listen to me. Can you walk?”
She gets up and winces, but nods. “Y-yeah.”
“Okay, good. There’s a Yotul upstairs named Mosun. He needs immediate medical attention. We’ve got a truck waiting, we’re gonna head up and get both of you out there.”
One of her eyes suddenly moves up and stares behind me. I turn in place.
Vansi’s standing in stairway, taking in the scene.
“Thiva… Go. Now. Now!” I rise to my feet and put a hand on her back, walking alongside her for a few steps before she rushes the rest of the way past her mother and up the stairs.
Vansi doesn’t move to stop her. She just stares at the crumpled corpse behind us.
It’s only after I take another step that her eyes snap to me with fury.
And I realize my rifle’s right at her feet.
She snatches it up into trembling paws and aims it right at me.
“Vansi, listen, I-”
The weapon goes off.
I fall to my knees. My hands reach my stomach and feel sticky and wet.
She pulls the trigger again, and it clicks dry. She pulls another few times, but it’s empty.
I rise to my feet and try to lunge past her. But she simply swings the empty rifle at me. It hits my wounded stomach, and I fall to my side. She swings it down on me several more times, snarling and cursing, until the weapon breaks enough that she simply tosses what’s left aside.
It hurts. Jesus Christ it hurts so fucking bad.
I try to think of a way out of this as she staggers past me toward her son. I try to get to my feet again, but fail. I drag myself to the wall, and use it to pull myself up bit by bit. I limp along the wall, smearing trails of my own blood with my hands as I go.
I’m almost at the stairs when I hear an inarticulate scream and feel agony blooming out from my right side. I look down and see the knife, in Vansi’s paws.
Fuck.
I collapse on the ground and try to fend her off with my hands. She stabs me straight through the palm of my right hand, then stabs twice more at my left arm and shoulder. My left arm doesn’t respond to my signals, simply flopping down limply.
With only one chance left, I punch her with my right. Again and again, while she stabs at my torso.
There’s a cold math to blood loss. The more you lose, the weaker you get.
‘So you see, that's how I am going to die.’
Each of my blows does less than the last. My hands and feet feel ice cold, while my chest burns.
‘I'll sneeze in the sunlight, or turn my head a bit too fast when someone wants my attention from my blind spot’
Before long I can’t fight back. I simply lay still and hear my flesh tearing and Vansi screaming in my ears.
‘or show happiness with a smile or a laugh’
I can’t lift a finger or even turn my head as Vansi staggers off of me. My shallow breaths are agony, and I can feel one of my lungs has collapsed.
‘or god forbid I might try to save a life again.’
She returns with something else in her hands. I close my eyes.
‘And then someone like your son will show up and burn me alive for it.’
/// ERROR /// Memory transcription fragmented /// Subject no longer conscious.
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2023.06.04 19:05 Jcb112 Wearing Power Armor to a Magic School (33/?)
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A staredown soon ensued.
One that neither of us seemed to be willing to let up on.
But as far as staredowns went, this one was pretty evenly matched as neither of us really had the ability to ‘blink’, or at least as far as an outside observer could see.
My whole schtick was pretty obvious, the tinted lenses were more or less just doing the job for me, taking blinking out of the equation entirely and adding a solid plus ten to my intimidation base stats.
The shadowy cloaked figure’s approach was just downright bizarre though, as instead of eyes, there were just these two trapezoidal ‘lights’ that I assumed were supposed to be a placeholder for his actual eyes hidden somewhere underneath the shadowy void casted by his hood.
A void which was downright pitchblack, and completely impenetrable to the naked eye.
The figure gave off a surreal vibe as his rogue-like attire, coupled with the hood and the impenetrable shadow it casted, looked like it’d been ripped straight out of a Castles and Wyverns art book or a high-fantasy comic. The pitch-black void that obscured his face, and those two trapezoidal eyes that hovered and shifted with increasing scrutiny, just didn’t look real.
While most would leave it at that, I wasn’t one to leave a mystery hanging, I was a human with an entire visual sensor suite to work with for crying out loud. So before I even knew it, I reflexively went to activate my night-vision cameras. Only to see that the shadowy effect covering up his face was still there.
This led me to only one solid conclusion.
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 140% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
A quick localized environmental scan made it clear to me that this was yet another one of the Nexus’ weird mana-fueled acts of tomfoolery.
“What say you, first years? Are you here for healing, or are you here for a visit? For as I have stated, the healing wing is not accepting visits at this point in time.” The hooded figure answered with this strange mix between a sing-song voice and an attempt at sounding gruff and gravely.
“We have an unfulfilled point of personal privilege that requires addressment.” Thacea stepped up to the plate, promptly placing herself by my side, then taking several steps forward. “Along with an unresolved conflict which requires immediate resolution by the party with which the aforementioned point of personal privilege was evoked but was halted due to unforeseen circumstances.” The princess began flexing her courtly-talk with the hooded figure, which clearly seemed to have some effect as he reached up a single gloved hand up to where his chin should be, only to have his fingers disappear as soon as they entered the dark shadowy effect currently covering up his face.
“And with whom is this unresolved matter incurred?” The figure inquired plainly, though the way he spoke shifted to something a bit more accommodating, perhaps even a little bit more hospitable than the gruffer tone he’d initially directed towards me.
“An apprentice, good sir. Apprentice Larial to be precise.” Thacea clarified politely, using what I could only describe as this flighty, chirpy, almost haughty tone of voice that was an exaggerated version of the cadence she used during our first interactions together.
“Hmm…” The hooded figure replied with a concerned grumble. “I was going to waive this particular matter, allowing the fair lady-” He paused, before making a point to stare at both me and Thalmin. “-and her two knights to pass on through, under the points of exceptional circumstances.” He continued in a less restrained, more flighty cadence. “However, you must excuse my inability to do so, my lady. My hands are currently tied via the powers that be, and I simply cannot grant your request.” The man began weaving a string of apologetics, giving Thacea a genuine and polite bow in response. “I must apologize for this discrepancy in expectant decorum.”
This didn’t make things any better for our circumstances though.
And it was clear Thacea understood this as she continued pressing forward.
“May I have your name and title, my good sir?” Thacea chirped lightly.
“Appointed-Deputy Magistrate Sir Arlan Ostoy, Senior Apprentice of the Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts. May I have the honor and the privilege of requesting your name, my fair lady?”
“Princess Thacea Dilani, of the Aetheronrealm, First Year and Scholastic Peer of the Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts.” Thacea replied with a full bow, and a half-curtsy of her own.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The shadowy figure bowed yet again.
“The pleasure is all mine, Sir-Magistrate.” Followed by yet another bow by Thacea.
There was some serious song and dance going on here, and one that I was observing with bated breath.
“Might I inquire further as to the particular reasoning behind this unfortunate and unseemly inability to respect the rights of expectant decorum?” Thacea quickly shot back.
“As I have alluded to, your highness, the powers that be prevent me from furthering the natural solution to your particular grievances. If this were any other instance in time, at any other location or place, I am sure this matter would have been resolved in an expedient and timely fashion. This situation, as you have alluded to yourself, results from a very particular set of unforeseen circumstances. Circumstances which currently dictate my actions in a manner which just so happens to be in conflict with your points of personal privilege, your highness.” The man’s posture, the way he stood, even the way he talked seemed very particular when addressing Thacea.
It was at that point that something changed. I didn’t know what, and I wasn’t sure why, but Thacea seemed to be shifting towards a tactical retreat, as she clacked her beak several times before addressing the both of us. “This is absolutely preposterous, I will need a moment to clear my mind but when I do return…” Thacea turned towards the magistrate/guard/apprentice person yet again. “There will be words exchanged.”
At Thacea’s prompting, we all left the room, but not before slamming the door behind us shut in a similar manner to Ilunor’s drama-filled exits.
We continued walking away from the medical wing at a steady pace, until another privacy screen was suddenly brought up.
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 275% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
“I have a plan.” Thacea began. “And this is entirely relying on you two having the physical prowess to back up your military backgrounds.” She continued ominously.
“Oh princess, you sully the Havenbrock name if you believe my mercenary heritage is in any way, shape, or form a mere decorative mantlepiece.” Thalmin responded with a sarcastic, yet excitable tone.
“I assure you, Thacea, I think my training has almost every eventuality accounted for.” I added with an affirmative nod.
“So what’s the plan?” Thalmin barked out excitedly as we stopped right in the middle of this long, wide hallway connecting the main castle with the medical wing. Thacea was quick to answer this question by wordlessly gesturing to a lone door on the right side of the hallway.
Windows lining either side of the hallway made it clear that this entire structure was just an elevated bridge connecting the main castle to an entirely separate compound.
This made the presence of a door smack-dab in the middle of its length sort of bizarre.
Upon entering it though, we were treated to an open-air rooftop terrace with a few seats and benches. The whole outcropping gave us an unparalleled view of the roaring waterfall beneath the Academy, and a direct line of sight to the medical wing and its five distinct towers.
The princess continued walking silently as we reached the edge of the terrace’s balcony, overlooking the sheer cliff face at a height that more or less put me in mind of your typical open-air rooftops on your typical Acela Corridor skyscraper.
“I’ve observed that the medical wing seems to consist of a large tower-atrium, with several more towers connected to it via additional corridors. Similar to spokes on a wheel. As you can see from this vantage point, it seems as if most rooms have private balconies. If we cannot make our way to the apprentice via conventional channels, then I plan to reach her via more unconventional means.” Thacea turned towards me with a hardened look in her gaze. “Emma, is your… insect artifice ready for use?”
My eyes widened at that, as I nodded affirmatively. “Just for the record, we call it a drone.” I quickly corrected Thacea. “But, yes, I can designate individuals and targets for it to track down or follow. However, I can’t just have it poking around in every room since there’s no guarantee that the drone will be able to get a lock on them. There’s too many variables involved that would get in the way of the drone actually being able to zero in on a person’s face. From the beds facing the right way, to bandages possibly covering up her face, to-”
“I don’t want your artifice to observe every balcony and window, Emma. That will most certainly take too much time, and as you’ve stated, there’s no guarantee of actually identifying a face considering the multitudes of factors involved.” Thacea interjected. “What I plan to do is to return to the Deputy-Magistrate, and to attempt to reach a compromise that he will abide by. I plan for him to take us, or rather, your drone straight to the apprentice.”
“And how will you accomplish this?” Thalmin whined,his head tilted in curiosity.
“I will draft a letter, addressed directly to the apprentice, and request that it be taken straight to her room. This way, the Deputy-Magistrate will in a sense be able to accomplish his obligations to the Expectant Decorum, and in doing so he will lead your insec-, drone, straight to the apprentice’s room.”
I stared at Thacea with wide eyes, as her back and forths with the deputy-magistrate began taking on a completely different meaning in this new light.
“That way, we can find out exactly which room the apprentice is in.” I replied bluntly.
“Correct. However, from there, I cannot say my plans are in any way foolproof.” Thacea replied with a sullen coo.
“Well go on, princess, it sounds pretty good so far!” Thalmin urged.
“Ascertaining the apprentice’s room is only half of the stated objective. Actually getting there is another matter entirely. Because depending on where the apprentice is located… my idea for the latter half of this quest involves you two scaling your way towards her room.” The princess spoke with an immense level of trepidation. “On the exterior aspect of the castle, if that needed to be said.”
My heart skipped a beat as the princess laid out her plans. I looked across the absurdly spindly hallway-bridge that this little terrace was somehow attached to, and towards the five towers that made up the medical wing.
Thalmin did the same, although his face seemed to indicate that he was at the very least, considering the plan at least somewhat seriously.
“Alright.” I muttered out loud, instinctively trying to place a palm on my forehead, only for the glove to bonk straight off. “I have several ideas. First, we might be able to do this remotely. I’m thinking once we find out which room she’s in, we fly in a larger drone, one carrying with it a deployable holographic projector or some other two-way communications device so that we can talk to her remotely.” As soon as I spoke that idea out loud however, things started to fall apart. “But because of how thick the walls are, and considering the distance between the tower and our dorm, I might have to deploy repeaters in order to daisy-chain the connection all the way back to the dorms. I mean, we can’t just set up shop out here in the open after all. At which point we’d have a continuous chain of signal-repeater drones flying all across the Academy… which wouldn’t be ideal. No, scratch that, that won’t work.”
The pair stared at me with varying degrees of confusion, but seemed to have collectively decided to ignore the idea after I’d scrapped it.
“I say we just climb it!” Thalmin yelped out, but not before another idea hit me. One that could work, but that required me consulting Thacea first.
“I mean, we could, but…” I turned to face Thacea. “What’s the Academy’s policy on noise? Or rather, do you think we could get away with something really really loud, buzzing outside of the towers?”
Thacea once more stared at me with a look of just utter confusion, but shrugged it off and went with it anyways. “I would highly recommend against generating too much noise for this particular quest, Emma. It would most certainly garner a lot of unwanted attention.” Thacea spoke plain and simple.
I couldn’t help but to groan internally in frustration at that.
That makes flying over there a no-go… it would’ve made things so much easier though…
“Alright, well, that more or less places us in a very awkward situation with not a lot of options available to us, huh?” I thought to myself outloud again, as I craned my head over to an excitable Thalmin.
“I guess I have to climb on over.” I stated in no uncertain terms.
“Wait, I?!” Thalmin responded with a shocked and incredulous bark. “There’s no way I’m allowing you to climb over there yourself without assistance or-”
“Thalmin, there’s no need for you to climb on over with me.” I interjected. “This whole mission is hedged on me talking to the apprentice one-on-one. Remember the gardens? The apprentice wouldn’t allow you anywhere near us when we started talking. It’d be a waste of time, energy, and more importantly… a huge risk to your safety. I don’t want to risk your life needlessly, Thalmin. Not especially for a fight that isn’t your own.”
“Well you’re part of our peer group, so it’s my fight as well.” Thalmin replied with a dejected growl, but eventually relented. “But you’re right, Emma. I hate to admit it, but you’re right.”
I nodded at Thalmin’s slowly. “Besides, there’s an important job I need you to do.” I began scrounging through one of my pouches, and began palming for my spare in-ear earpieces. “I need you on lookout, to keep me aware of anything fishy developing in case I need to pull out.”
Thalmin looked over the side of the terrace, towards the raging waters beneath this side of the Academy as he let out a sigh. “That shouldn’t be too hard. Hardly anyone will be passing by this terrace, and beyond that there’s no way anyone can spot you from below, given there’s nothing but the cascading rapids below us. There’s no one that can spot you from here, save for perhaps the foxes in the library. We’re most certainly on the right side of the Academy for this quest, that’s for certain.” Thalmin pointed at the library in the far distance.
“Oh, I’m not too worried about anyone seeing me. I’m more concerned about someone compromising my extraction point, i.e. this little terrace here.” I acknowledged.
“But, surely you must be worried about someone seeing you scaling the walls…” Thalmin scanned me up and down, as if wanting to comment about my size but- “You’re massive.”
“Okay, first off, rude.” I spoke sarcastically, and raised both hands up for added effect. “But in all seriousness, I have another device that can mask my visual presence.” I pulled out a plastic-like poncho from one of my pouches, activating it, and revealing its active-camo properties as it projected whatever was behind it, albeit with some imperfections. “It isn’t perfect, but from afar it should actually work pretty well.”
Both Thalmin and Thacea stared at each other in utter shock as they saw this.
“A mana-less-”
“I think… this is a matter worth discussing another time, Princess.” Thalmin interjected with a polite exasperated breath. “But I expect a good explanation for this one, Emma.” Thalmin pointed a finger right at me.
“In any case, I will be diverting the Deputy-Magistrate’s attention by preoccupying him with needless and vapid chatter. This should take attention away from the apprentice and your intrusion, Emma.” Thacea quickly added, and promptly tied this whole impromptu operation up nicely.
“Alright, let’s get this show on the road then. We’ll head back to the dorms and get that letter drafted so-”
“Already done.” Thacea interjected, bringing up a parchment that she promptly began sealing into an envelope.
“Wait, when did you-”
“Whilst we were talking, I used a dictation spell. The letter is written and signed.” Thacea spoke nonchalantly, as she held a neatly sealed envelope in one of her talons.
“Wait, what, when did you, how did you-?”
“I carry a quill and extra parchment in my bag of holding. This is to account for any eventuality where a statement in writing, a legal affidavit, or a notarized letter may be required.” Thacea responded a-matter-of-factly.
“Alright then.” I tapped the pouch with the INFIL-DRONE, the small little thing peeking its head out much to the visible disgust of the pair. “So we’re ready for phase one of the operation. Misdirection and information gathering. We’ll go in, drop the letter, and have the drone do its thing. After that, we wait for the drone to return, and we’ll take it from there on whether or not we can continue with Phase Two: penetrating the enemy lines.”
“What would be stopping us from continuing with phase two?” Thalmin quickly asked.
“Well, simple. If the apprentice is still conked out from her injuries, there wouldn’t be any point in attempting to meet her. So hopefully, she’s going to be in a good enough state to talk to. We’ll know when we get the drone footage back.”
“Fair point.” Thalmin nodded.
“So, is everyone ready to begin?” Thacea asked.
A series of affirmative nods later, we began our quick walk back over to the atrium.
The Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts, Extraction Point Alpha (Open Air Terrace Overlooking the Medical Wing). Local Time: 1420 Hours.
That took way more time than I’d initially thought.
In fact, it took so long that I was beginning to wonder how two people could have an unending conversation where nothing of value was spoken and nothing of value was gained.
It was basically elevator small talk, but written by the same writers who wrote Bridgerwesson Lane, and adapted to a theatrical release with a trilogy that ended with a movie arbitrarily cut up into a two-parter.
I honestly zoned out for a few moments during those hours, as I decided to use the spare time to review the grappling hook and mountaineering gear I’d be using on this little quest.
Eventually however, the Deputy-Magistrate relented, at which point I let loose the INFIL-DRONE to do its thing.
It’d been twenty minutes since we left and made our way back to this open-air terrace, and all of us were waiting with bated breath for the results the drone had in store.
“So, how fast can that drone of yours fly anyways Emma-”
Thalmin was immediately cut off as the drone in question buzzed right by his ears, causing them to flick this way and that, before flattening out entirely.
“Speak of him and he will come.” I chuckled, as I outstretched a gloved hand over for the little drone to perch atop of.
Once again, the pair stared at it with a look of mild disgust, and then panic as it crawled all the way back into its docking port, and began uploading the data we needed.
“Alright, let’s see what we have here.” I spoke to no one in particular before shifting my attention to the EVI. “EVI, isolate and replay relevant footage, and calculate the target’s location.”
“Acknowledged, parsing…”
“Location Parsing. Footage isolated. Play Footage?”
“Affirmative.”
I immediately pulled out my data-tab for the gang to be able to watch as well, as the footage began just as the Deputy-Magistrate, and by extension the drone, arrived at the apprentice’s room.
The door, and all details posted in the front were all captured, and so too was the state of the apprentice revealed to us in short order as I braced myself for a mangled and bandaged-up mass of broken bones.
What I instead saw, was… still a heavily bandaged up figure. However, the most important thing was that they were awake.
And what was remarkable, was the fact that they were able to move without assistance. As the apprentice reached over to receive the letter wordlessly, shifting a bit in bed as she did so.
“This is a letter addressed from a Princess Thacea Dilani of the Aetheronrealm. I have fulfilled my duties and obligations as per the Expectant Decorum. I will now take my leave, Apprentice Larial.” The deputy-magistrate spoke with the same air of overbearing properness, seriously making me consider whether or not this was how he was all the time.
Whatever the case may be, the apprentice seemed to be healed enough to move her arms at the very least, as she grabbed the letter and spoke hoarsely back in response. “Thank you Senior Apprentice.”
There wasn’t much to the footage beyond those interactions, but it was good enough for the purposes of this mission.
“Alright.” I spoke, as I pocketed the tablet. “We have our answer. The apprentice seems healed up enough to speak to, so phase two of this operation is a-go.”
The pair nodded in response, just in time for the EVI to be done with whatever calculations were needed to determine the apprentice’s precise location.
I turned to the tower, as the room and its balcony was highlighted.
It was just about five stories above from where we were.
Meaning it’d be a hell of a climb.
“The room’s about five floors up.” I announced with a sigh.
“Are you sure you can make that journey, Emma?” Thacea responded worryingly. “I… I will be honest, Emma, I am having some second doubts about this whole idea. The concept just came to me as flying between tall structures and towers is just second nature to us Aetheronrealmers. Considering the heights involved, and your inability to fly, I’m wondering if this whole quest was a folly of my own shortsighted-”
“It’s fine, Thacea.” I cut the avinor off. “I can do this, trust me.” I placed a single hand on the princess’ shoulder, and squeezed it once for effect.
Meanwhile, the EVI began doing what it did best: attempting to minimize the risk associated with my hairbrained schemes, as it deployed the suit’s primary lookout drone in order to start mapping out the best possible route forward.
This spooked the pair yet again, as they both jolted backwards.
Thankfully, the drone was deathly silent, so it shouldn’t bring too much attention to it.
It was at this point that I brought out a pair of earpieces I was scrounging my pouches for earlier, one for Thacea, and another for Thalmin.
“These will help you stay in contact with me throughout the climb.” I stated plainly, as I attempted to latch it onto my own ear for demonstrative purposes, only to realize that I could not, given the suit was in the way.
I sighed, as I turned towards Thalmin. “Do you mind if I put it on for you?” I asked sheepishly.
“Erm, what is it, Emma?”
“It’s…” I paused, as I attempted to find the best way to describe this without taking up too much time. “It’s a communication artifice, Thalmin. It’ll allow us to talk to each other remotely, relying on that drone there-” I pointed at the lookout drone still flying away from us. “-to relay our voices to each other.”
Thalmin, as expected, looked at me with an expression of partial dumbfoundedness whilst Thacea seemed completely transfixed by the earpieces I held in my hands.
“So it’s like a hearing-sense?” Thalmin responded with a questioning bark.
“Look, I’ll just demonstrate.” I managed out with a sigh as Thalmin reluctantly nodded and allowed me to begin hooking in the earpiece, looping it around his fluffy triangular ears.
This inevitably resulted in my hand brushing over the lupinor’s fluffy head a few times, which seemed to elicit some large tail-wags and a dulcet rumble.
I tried to ignore that, as I pulled back and began demonstrating. “I’ve turned off my speakers, can you still hear me, Thalmin?”
“Yes, I can.” The lupinor spoke after clearing his throat.
I turned my speakers back on immediately after. “Alright, I’ll get into the specifics of how it works later, but as for now, just know that I can hear whatever you say.”
“I’m afraid I don’t think that artifice will be compatible with my… anatomy, Emma.” Thacea spoke calmly, as she pointed at several aspects of the earpiece that required an actual ear canal to fit into, and an earlobe to loop around.
“This complicates things a bit, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. How long do you think you can keep up the distracting conversation with the deputy-magistrate for, Thacea?”
“We just went through several hours discussing nothing in particular, I can most certainly continue that trend from dusk till dawn.” The avinor spoke confidently, and frankly, rather proudly. “The issue lies not in how long I can manage to maintain the conversation, but in how long it will take you to accomplish this quest, Emma.” Thacea shot back.
“An hour.” I nodded confidently. “Twenty minutes to scoot my way over there, twenty to talk to the apprentice, and twenty to get back.”
“I’ll make that two hours then.” Thacea responded without a second thought. “We need to account for potential complications, and an extra hour of senseless dialogue will most certainly not be an issue for me.”
With an affirmative nod from me, and an approving glance from Thalmin, I now turned towards the exterior of the two hundred foot corridor leading to the concourse, and the extra five hundred feet it would take to get from the atrium to the tower in question.
It was at that last minute that the EVI brought out another suggestion, one that was formulated with the aid of the new datasets provided by the FEBNPMS lookout drone that had been busy mapping out the best route forward.
It was… an inherently riskier approach, one that my aunt would definitely not approve of, but it definitely beat scaling a wall and wedging spikes into it.
“Actually… I have a better idea than simply scaling the walls.”
The Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts, En Route to Medical Wing Tower C, Room 705. Local Time: 1430 Hours.
“Grapple secure.”
I will never forget the feeling of falling.
The very wrong feeling that came with leaping off of solid ground into empty sky, of suddenly seeing and feeling the world whizzing by me.
It was a visceral feeling, a gut-churning sensation, dominated by an overbearing sense of impending doom that takes over your terrestrial brain that wasn’t designed to feel the ‘freeing’ sensation of being unbound to the ground beneath you.
Leaping over from the edge of the terrace was the worst part of it. But after that tentative jump, things started to become just a little bit easier.
The Academy’s proclivity for over-aggrandized architectural design would finally serve a purpose beyond just decorative aesthetics.
Because it was clear that the walls weren’t really designed to ward off anyone daring to scale them. As there existed several, if not hundreds of these little greebles and outcroppings that served no purpose but to act as decorative pieces on the side of the castle. Some held stone flowers, whilst others had lamps or other light pieces of varying designs.
No matter what they were, or what meaning they held, all were equal and valid targets in the eyes of my grappling hook.
As I dangled there from the first outcropping, held in place by a single high-tensile cable, I looked up to see Thalmin looming over the edge “EMMA?!” I heard him shout in a panic. It was clear that he was unable to see anything, as my light-refraction cloak was currently doing its job well.
“I’m still here, Thalmin. You can’t see me but I’m dangling from this weird outcropping that looks like an overinflated vase.”
“NEXT TIME, BE SURE TO INFORM ME AS TO THE NATURE OF YOUR IMPOSSIBLE ARTIFICES BEFORE USE, UNDERSTOOD?!”
“Of course. You’ll know if I’ve fallen if you hear a long scream followed by a large splat.”
“That’s not funny!”
I chuckled nervously in response, before turning to face the grueling, gut-churning journey ahead of me. “Humor’s my way of dealing with stress, and trust me, I have a lot of stress to work through right about now.”
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(Author’s Note: Hey guys! Time for some unconventional solutions courtesy of Emma and the gang! We're going to meet the apprentice one way or another! I hope you guys enjoy! :D The next Chapter is already up on Patreon if you guys are interested in getting early access to future chapters!)
[If you guys want to help support me and these stories, here's my ko-fi ! And my Patreon for early chapter releases (Chapter 34 of this story is already out on there!)]
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A staredown soon ensued.
One that neither of us seemed to be willing to let up on.
But as far as staredowns went, this one was pretty evenly matched as neither of us really had the ability to ‘blink’, or at least as far as an outside observer could see.
My whole schtick was pretty obvious, the tinted lenses were more or less just doing the job for me, taking blinking out of the equation entirely and adding a solid plus ten to my intimidation base stats.
The shadowy cloaked figure’s approach was just downright bizarre though, as instead of eyes, there were just these two trapezoidal ‘lights’ that I assumed were supposed to be a placeholder for his actual eyes hidden somewhere underneath the shadowy void casted by his hood.
A void which was downright pitchblack, and completely impenetrable to the naked eye.
The figure gave off a surreal vibe as his rogue-like attire, coupled with the hood and the impenetrable shadow it casted, looked like it’d been ripped straight out of a Castles and Wyverns art book or a high-fantasy comic. The pitch-black void that obscured his face, and those two trapezoidal eyes that hovered and shifted with increasing scrutiny, just didn’t look real.
While most would leave it at that, I wasn’t one to leave a mystery hanging, I was a human with an entire visual sensor suite to work with for crying out loud. So before I even knew it, I reflexively went to activate my night-vision cameras. Only to see that the shadowy effect covering up his face was still there.
This led me to only one solid conclusion.
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 140% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
A quick localized environmental scan made it clear to me that this was yet another one of the Nexus’ weird mana-fueled acts of tomfoolery.
“What say you, first years? Are you here for healing, or are you here for a visit? For as I have stated, the healing wing is not accepting visits at this point in time.” The hooded figure answered with this strange mix between a sing-song voice and an attempt at sounding gruff and gravely.
“We have an unfulfilled point of personal privilege that requires addressment.” Thacea stepped up to the plate, promptly placing herself by my side, then taking several steps forward. “Along with an unresolved conflict which requires immediate resolution by the party with which the aforementioned point of personal privilege was evoked but was halted due to unforeseen circumstances.” The princess began flexing her courtly-talk with the hooded figure, which clearly seemed to have some effect as he reached up a single gloved hand up to where his chin should be, only to have his fingers disappear as soon as they entered the dark shadowy effect currently covering up his face.
“And with whom is this unresolved matter incurred?” The figure inquired plainly, though the way he spoke shifted to something a bit more accommodating, perhaps even a little bit more hospitable than the gruffer tone he’d initially directed towards me.
“An apprentice, good sir. Apprentice Larial to be precise.” Thacea clarified politely, using what I could only describe as this flighty, chirpy, almost haughty tone of voice that was an exaggerated version of the cadence she used during our first interactions together.
“Hmm…” The hooded figure replied with a concerned grumble. “I was going to waive this particular matter, allowing the fair lady-” He paused, before making a point to stare at both me and Thalmin. “-and her two knights to pass on through, under the points of exceptional circumstances.” He continued in a less restrained, more flighty cadence. “However, you must excuse my inability to do so, my lady. My hands are currently tied via the powers that be, and I simply cannot grant your request.” The man began weaving a string of apologetics, giving Thacea a genuine and polite bow in response. “I must apologize for this discrepancy in expectant decorum.”
This didn’t make things any better for our circumstances though.
And it was clear Thacea understood this as she continued pressing forward.
“May I have your name and title, my good sir?” Thacea chirped lightly.
“Appointed-Deputy Magistrate Sir Arlan Ostoy, Senior Apprentice of the Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts. May I have the honor and the privilege of requesting your name, my fair lady?”
“Princess Thacea Dilani, of the Aetheronrealm, First Year and Scholastic Peer of the Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts.” Thacea replied with a full bow, and a half-curtsy of her own.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The shadowy figure bowed yet again.
“The pleasure is all mine, Sir-Magistrate.” Followed by yet another bow by Thacea.
There was some serious song and dance going on here, and one that I was observing with bated breath.
“Might I inquire further as to the particular reasoning behind this unfortunate and unseemly inability to respect the rights of expectant decorum?” Thacea quickly shot back.
“As I have alluded to, your highness, the powers that be prevent me from furthering the natural solution to your particular grievances. If this were any other instance in time, at any other location or place, I am sure this matter would have been resolved in an expedient and timely fashion. This situation, as you have alluded to yourself, results from a very particular set of unforeseen circumstances. Circumstances which currently dictate my actions in a manner which just so happens to be in conflict with your points of personal privilege, your highness.” The man’s posture, the way he stood, even the way he talked seemed very particular when addressing Thacea.
It was at that point that something changed. I didn’t know what, and I wasn’t sure why, but Thacea seemed to be shifting towards a tactical retreat, as she clacked her beak several times before addressing the both of us. “This is absolutely preposterous, I will need a moment to clear my mind but when I do return…” Thacea turned towards the magistrate/guard/apprentice person yet again. “There will be words exchanged.”
At Thacea’s prompting, we all left the room, but not before slamming the door behind us shut in a similar manner to Ilunor’s drama-filled exits.
We continued walking away from the medical wing at a steady pace, until another privacy screen was suddenly brought up.
ALERT: LOCALIZED SURGE OF MANA-RADIATION DETECTED, 275% ABOVE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS
“I have a plan.” Thacea began. “And this is entirely relying on you two having the physical prowess to back up your military backgrounds.” She continued ominously.
“Oh princess, you sully the Havenbrock name if you believe my mercenary heritage is in any way, shape, or form a mere decorative mantlepiece.” Thalmin responded with a sarcastic, yet excitable tone.
“I assure you, Thacea, I think my training has almost every eventuality accounted for.” I added with an affirmative nod.
“So what’s the plan?” Thalmin barked out excitedly as we stopped right in the middle of this long, wide hallway connecting the main castle with the medical wing. Thacea was quick to answer this question by wordlessly gesturing to a lone door on the right side of the hallway.
Windows lining either side of the hallway made it clear that this entire structure was just an elevated bridge connecting the main castle to an entirely separate compound.
This made the presence of a door smack-dab in the middle of its length sort of bizarre.
Upon entering it though, we were treated to an open-air rooftop terrace with a few seats and benches. The whole outcropping gave us an unparalleled view of the roaring waterfall beneath the Academy, and a direct line of sight to the medical wing and its five distinct towers.
The princess continued walking silently as we reached the edge of the terrace’s balcony, overlooking the sheer cliff face at a height that more or less put me in mind of your typical open-air rooftops on your typical Acela Corridor skyscraper.
“I’ve observed that the medical wing seems to consist of a large tower-atrium, with several more towers connected to it via additional corridors. Similar to spokes on a wheel. As you can see from this vantage point, it seems as if most rooms have private balconies. If we cannot make our way to the apprentice via conventional channels, then I plan to reach her via more unconventional means.” Thacea turned towards me with a hardened look in her gaze. “Emma, is your… insect artifice ready for use?”
My eyes widened at that, as I nodded affirmatively. “Just for the record, we call it a drone.” I quickly corrected Thacea. “But, yes, I can designate individuals and targets for it to track down or follow. However, I can’t just have it poking around in every room since there’s no guarantee that the drone will be able to get a lock on them. There’s too many variables involved that would get in the way of the drone actually being able to zero in on a person’s face. From the beds facing the right way, to bandages possibly covering up her face, to-”
“I don’t want your artifice to observe every balcony and window, Emma. That will most certainly take too much time, and as you’ve stated, there’s no guarantee of actually identifying a face considering the multitudes of factors involved.” Thacea interjected. “What I plan to do is to return to the Deputy-Magistrate, and to attempt to reach a compromise that he will abide by. I plan for him to take us, or rather, your drone straight to the apprentice.”
“And how will you accomplish this?” Thalmin whined,his head tilted in curiosity.
“I will draft a letter, addressed directly to the apprentice, and request that it be taken straight to her room. This way, the Deputy-Magistrate will in a sense be able to accomplish his obligations to the Expectant Decorum, and in doing so he will lead your insec-, drone, straight to the apprentice’s room.”
I stared at Thacea with wide eyes, as her back and forths with the deputy-magistrate began taking on a completely different meaning in this new light.
“That way, we can find out exactly which room the apprentice is in.” I replied bluntly.
“Correct. However, from there, I cannot say my plans are in any way foolproof.” Thacea replied with a sullen coo.
“Well go on, princess, it sounds pretty good so far!” Thalmin urged.
“Ascertaining the apprentice’s room is only half of the stated objective. Actually getting there is another matter entirely. Because depending on where the apprentice is located… my idea for the latter half of this quest involves you two scaling your way towards her room.” The princess spoke with an immense level of trepidation. “On the exterior aspect of the castle, if that needed to be said.”
My heart skipped a beat as the princess laid out her plans. I looked across the absurdly spindly hallway-bridge that this little terrace was somehow attached to, and towards the five towers that made up the medical wing.
Thalmin did the same, although his face seemed to indicate that he was at the very least, considering the plan at least somewhat seriously.
“Alright.” I muttered out loud, instinctively trying to place a palm on my forehead, only for the glove to bonk straight off. “I have several ideas. First, we might be able to do this remotely. I’m thinking once we find out which room she’s in, we fly in a larger drone, one carrying with it a deployable holographic projector or some other two-way communications device so that we can talk to her remotely.” As soon as I spoke that idea out loud however, things started to fall apart. “But because of how thick the walls are, and considering the distance between the tower and our dorm, I might have to deploy repeaters in order to daisy-chain the connection all the way back to the dorms. I mean, we can’t just set up shop out here in the open after all. At which point we’d have a continuous chain of signal-repeater drones flying all across the Academy… which wouldn’t be ideal. No, scratch that, that won’t work.”
The pair stared at me with varying degrees of confusion, but seemed to have collectively decided to ignore the idea after I’d scrapped it.
“I say we just climb it!” Thalmin yelped out, but not before another idea hit me. One that could work, but that required me consulting Thacea first.
“I mean, we could, but…” I turned to face Thacea. “What’s the Academy’s policy on noise? Or rather, do you think we could get away with something really really loud, buzzing outside of the towers?”
Thacea once more stared at me with a look of just utter confusion, but shrugged it off and went with it anyways. “I would highly recommend against generating too much noise for this particular quest, Emma. It would most certainly garner a lot of unwanted attention.” Thacea spoke plain and simple.
I couldn’t help but to groan internally in frustration at that.
That makes flying over there a no-go… it would’ve made things so much easier though…
“Alright, well, that more or less places us in a very awkward situation with not a lot of options available to us, huh?” I thought to myself outloud again, as I craned my head over to an excitable Thalmin.
“I guess I have to climb on over.” I stated in no uncertain terms.
“Wait, I?!” Thalmin responded with a shocked and incredulous bark. “There’s no way I’m allowing you to climb over there yourself without assistance or-”
“Thalmin, there’s no need for you to climb on over with me.” I interjected. “This whole mission is hedged on me talking to the apprentice one-on-one. Remember the gardens? The apprentice wouldn’t allow you anywhere near us when we started talking. It’d be a waste of time, energy, and more importantly… a huge risk to your safety. I don’t want to risk your life needlessly, Thalmin. Not especially for a fight that isn’t your own.”
“Well you’re part of our peer group, so it’s my fight as well.” Thalmin replied with a dejected growl, but eventually relented. “But you’re right, Emma. I hate to admit it, but you’re right.”
I nodded at Thalmin’s slowly. “Besides, there’s an important job I need you to do.” I began scrounging through one of my pouches, and began palming for my spare in-ear earpieces. “I need you on lookout, to keep me aware of anything fishy developing in case I need to pull out.”
Thalmin looked over the side of the terrace, towards the raging waters beneath this side of the Academy as he let out a sigh. “That shouldn’t be too hard. Hardly anyone will be passing by this terrace, and beyond that there’s no way anyone can spot you from below, given there’s nothing but the cascading rapids below us. There’s no one that can spot you from here, save for perhaps the foxes in the library. We’re most certainly on the right side of the Academy for this quest, that’s for certain.” Thalmin pointed at the library in the far distance.
“Oh, I’m not too worried about anyone seeing me. I’m more concerned about someone compromising my extraction point, i.e. this little terrace here.” I acknowledged.
“But, surely you must be worried about someone seeing you scaling the walls…” Thalmin scanned me up and down, as if wanting to comment about my size but- “You’re massive.”
“Okay, first off, rude.” I spoke sarcastically, and raised both hands up for added effect. “But in all seriousness, I have another device that can mask my visual presence.” I pulled out a plastic-like poncho from one of my pouches, activating it, and revealing its active-camo properties as it projected whatever was behind it, albeit with some imperfections. “It isn’t perfect, but from afar it should actually work pretty well.”
Both Thalmin and Thacea stared at each other in utter shock as they saw this.
“A mana-less-”
“I think… this is a matter worth discussing another time, Princess.” Thalmin interjected with a polite exasperated breath. “But I expect a good explanation for this one, Emma.” Thalmin pointed a finger right at me.
“In any case, I will be diverting the Deputy-Magistrate’s attention by preoccupying him with needless and vapid chatter. This should take attention away from the apprentice and your intrusion, Emma.” Thacea quickly added, and promptly tied this whole impromptu operation up nicely.
“Alright, let’s get this show on the road then. We’ll head back to the dorms and get that letter drafted so-”
“Already done.” Thacea interjected, bringing up a parchment that she promptly began sealing into an envelope.
“Wait, when did you-”
“Whilst we were talking, I used a dictation spell. The letter is written and signed.” Thacea spoke nonchalantly, as she held a neatly sealed envelope in one of her talons.
“Wait, what, when did you, how did you-?”
“I carry a quill and extra parchment in my bag of holding. This is to account for any eventuality where a statement in writing, a legal affidavit, or a notarized letter may be required.” Thacea responded a-matter-of-factly.
“Alright then.” I tapped the pouch with the INFIL-DRONE, the small little thing peeking its head out much to the visible disgust of the pair. “So we’re ready for phase one of the operation. Misdirection and information gathering. We’ll go in, drop the letter, and have the drone do its thing. After that, we wait for the drone to return, and we’ll take it from there on whether or not we can continue with Phase Two: penetrating the enemy lines.”
“What would be stopping us from continuing with phase two?” Thalmin quickly asked.
“Well, simple. If the apprentice is still conked out from her injuries, there wouldn’t be any point in attempting to meet her. So hopefully, she’s going to be in a good enough state to talk to. We’ll know when we get the drone footage back.”
“Fair point.” Thalmin nodded.
“So, is everyone ready to begin?” Thacea asked.
A series of affirmative nods later, we began our quick walk back over to the atrium.
The Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts, Extraction Point Alpha (Open Air Terrace Overlooking the Medical Wing). Local Time: 1420 Hours.
That took way more time than I’d initially thought.
In fact, it took so long that I was beginning to wonder how two people could have an unending conversation where nothing of value was spoken and nothing of value was gained.
It was basically elevator small talk, but written by the same writers who wrote Bridgerwesson Lane, and adapted to a theatrical release with a trilogy that ended with a movie arbitrarily cut up into a two-parter.
I honestly zoned out for a few moments during those hours, as I decided to use the spare time to review the grappling hook and mountaineering gear I’d be using on this little quest.
Eventually however, the Deputy-Magistrate relented, at which point I let loose the INFIL-DRONE to do its thing.
It’d been twenty minutes since we left and made our way back to this open-air terrace, and all of us were waiting with bated breath for the results the drone had in store.
“So, how fast can that drone of yours fly anyways Emma-”
Thalmin was immediately cut off as the drone in question buzzed right by his ears, causing them to flick this way and that, before flattening out entirely.
“Speak of him and he will come.” I chuckled, as I outstretched a gloved hand over for the little drone to perch atop of.
Once again, the pair stared at it with a look of mild disgust, and then panic as it crawled all the way back into its docking port, and began uploading the data we needed.
“Alright, let’s see what we have here.” I spoke to no one in particular before shifting my attention to the EVI. “EVI, isolate and replay relevant footage, and calculate the target’s location.”
“Acknowledged, parsing…”
“Location Parsing. Footage isolated. Play Footage?”
“Affirmative.”
I immediately pulled out my data-tab for the gang to be able to watch as well, as the footage began just as the Deputy-Magistrate, and by extension the drone, arrived at the apprentice’s room.
The door, and all details posted in the front were all captured, and so too was the state of the apprentice revealed to us in short order as I braced myself for a mangled and bandaged-up mass of broken bones.
What I instead saw, was… still a heavily bandaged up figure. However, the most important thing was that they were awake.
And what was remarkable, was the fact that they were able to move without assistance. As the apprentice reached over to receive the letter wordlessly, shifting a bit in bed as she did so.
“This is a letter addressed from a Princess Thacea Dilani of the Aetheronrealm. I have fulfilled my duties and obligations as per the Expectant Decorum. I will now take my leave, Apprentice Larial.” The deputy-magistrate spoke with the same air of overbearing properness, seriously making me consider whether or not this was how he was all the time.
Whatever the case may be, the apprentice seemed to be healed enough to move her arms at the very least, as she grabbed the letter and spoke hoarsely back in response. “Thank you Senior Apprentice.”
There wasn’t much to the footage beyond those interactions, but it was good enough for the purposes of this mission.
“Alright.” I spoke, as I pocketed the tablet. “We have our answer. The apprentice seems healed up enough to speak to, so phase two of this operation is a-go.”
The pair nodded in response, just in time for the EVI to be done with whatever calculations were needed to determine the apprentice’s precise location.
I turned to the tower, as the room and its balcony was highlighted.
It was just about five stories above from where we were.
Meaning it’d be a hell of a climb.
“The room’s about five floors up.” I announced with a sigh.
“Are you sure you can make that journey, Emma?” Thacea responded worryingly. “I… I will be honest, Emma, I am having some second doubts about this whole idea. The concept just came to me as flying between tall structures and towers is just second nature to us Aetheronrealmers. Considering the heights involved, and your inability to fly, I’m wondering if this whole quest was a folly of my own shortsighted-”
“It’s fine, Thacea.” I cut the avinor off. “I can do this, trust me.” I placed a single hand on the princess’ shoulder, and squeezed it once for effect.
Meanwhile, the EVI began doing what it did best: attempting to minimize the risk associated with my hairbrained schemes, as it deployed the suit’s primary lookout drone in order to start mapping out the best possible route forward.
This spooked the pair yet again, as they both jolted backwards.
Thankfully, the drone was deathly silent, so it shouldn’t bring too much attention to it.
It was at this point that I brought out a pair of earpieces I was scrounging my pouches for earlier, one for Thacea, and another for Thalmin.
“These will help you stay in contact with me throughout the climb.” I stated plainly, as I attempted to latch it onto my own ear for demonstrative purposes, only to realize that I could not, given the suit was in the way.
I sighed, as I turned towards Thalmin. “Do you mind if I put it on for you?” I asked sheepishly.
“Erm, what is it, Emma?”
“It’s…” I paused, as I attempted to find the best way to describe this without taking up too much time. “It’s a communication artifice, Thalmin. It’ll allow us to talk to each other remotely, relying on that drone there-” I pointed at the lookout drone still flying away from us. “-to relay our voices to each other.”
Thalmin, as expected, looked at me with an expression of partial dumbfoundedness whilst Thacea seemed completely transfixed by the earpieces I held in my hands.
“So it’s like a hearing-sense?” Thalmin responded with a questioning bark.
“Look, I’ll just demonstrate.” I managed out with a sigh as Thalmin reluctantly nodded and allowed me to begin hooking in the earpiece, looping it around his fluffy triangular ears.
This inevitably resulted in my hand brushing over the lupinor’s fluffy head a few times, which seemed to elicit some large tail-wags and a dulcet rumble.
I tried to ignore that, as I pulled back and began demonstrating. “I’ve turned off my speakers, can you still hear me, Thalmin?”
“Yes, I can.” The lupinor spoke after clearing his throat.
I turned my speakers back on immediately after. “Alright, I’ll get into the specifics of how it works later, but as for now, just know that I can hear whatever you say.”
“I’m afraid I don’t think that artifice will be compatible with my… anatomy, Emma.” Thacea spoke calmly, as she pointed at several aspects of the earpiece that required an actual ear canal to fit into, and an earlobe to loop around.
“This complicates things a bit, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. How long do you think you can keep up the distracting conversation with the deputy-magistrate for, Thacea?”
“We just went through several hours discussing nothing in particular, I can most certainly continue that trend from dusk till dawn.” The avinor spoke confidently, and frankly, rather proudly. “The issue lies not in how long I can manage to maintain the conversation, but in how long it will take you to accomplish this quest, Emma.” Thacea shot back.
“An hour.” I nodded confidently. “Twenty minutes to scoot my way over there, twenty to talk to the apprentice, and twenty to get back.”
“I’ll make that two hours then.” Thacea responded without a second thought. “We need to account for potential complications, and an extra hour of senseless dialogue will most certainly not be an issue for me.”
With an affirmative nod from me, and an approving glance from Thalmin, I now turned towards the exterior of the two hundred foot corridor leading to the concourse, and the extra five hundred feet it would take to get from the atrium to the tower in question.
It was at that last minute that the EVI brought out another suggestion, one that was formulated with the aid of the new datasets provided by the FEBNPMS lookout drone that had been busy mapping out the best route forward.
It was… an inherently riskier approach, one that my aunt would definitely not approve of, but it definitely beat scaling a wall and wedging spikes into it.
“Actually… I have a better idea than simply scaling the walls.”
The Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts, En Route to Medical Wing Tower C, Room 705. Local Time: 1430 Hours.
“Grapple secure.”
I will never forget the feeling of falling.
The very wrong feeling that came with leaping off of solid ground into empty sky, of suddenly seeing and feeling the world whizzing by me.
It was a visceral feeling, a gut-churning sensation, dominated by an overbearing sense of impending doom that takes over your terrestrial brain that wasn’t designed to feel the ‘freeing’ sensation of being unbound to the ground beneath you.
Leaping over from the edge of the terrace was the worst part of it. But after that tentative jump, things started to become just a little bit easier.
The Academy’s proclivity for over-aggrandized architectural design would finally serve a purpose beyond just decorative aesthetics.
Because it was clear that the walls weren’t really designed to ward off anyone daring to scale them. As there existed several, if not hundreds of these little greebles and outcroppings that served no purpose but to act as decorative pieces on the side of the castle. Some held stone flowers, whilst others had lamps or other light pieces of varying designs.
No matter what they were, or what meaning they held, all were equal and valid targets in the eyes of my grappling hook.
As I dangled there from the first outcropping, held in place by a single high-tensile cable, I looked up to see Thalmin looming over the edge “EMMA?!” I heard him shout in a panic. It was clear that he was unable to see anything, as my light-refraction cloak was currently doing its job well.
“I’m still here, Thalmin. You can’t see me but I’m dangling from this weird outcropping that looks like an overinflated vase.”
“NEXT TIME, BE SURE TO INFORM ME AS TO THE NATURE OF YOUR IMPOSSIBLE ARTIFICES BEFORE USE, UNDERSTOOD?!”
“Of course. You’ll know if I’ve fallen if you hear a long scream followed by a large splat.”
“That’s not funny!”
I chuckled nervously in response, before turning to face the grueling, gut-churning journey ahead of me. “Humor’s my way of dealing with stress, and trust me, I have a lot of stress to work through right about now.”
First Previous Next
(Author’s Note: Hey guys! Time for some unconventional solutions courtesy of Emma and the gang! We're going to meet the apprentice one way or another! I hope you guys enjoy! :D The next Chapter is already up on Patreon if you guys are interested in getting early access to future chapters!)
[If you guys want to help support me and these stories, here's my ko-fi ! And my Patreon for early chapter releases (Chapter 34 of this story is already out on there!)]
2023.06.04 18:58 No-Show-3866 Karl Malone explaining his relationship with the 12-year old he impregnated
 | submitted by No-Show-3866 to nbacirclejerk [link] [comments] |
2023.06.04 18:47 Iamapartofthisworld Day 10
Just waking up, sun on tent, nose has decided run like crazy again, and ears are still ringing.
Grocery delivery people are warned not to approach zoo exhibit on lawn.
Otherwise, I feel ok, will try testing myself later today, even though I don't think I will be negative yet, but you never know.
Hope everyone is doing ok and gets better soon.
submitted by Iamapartofthisworld to COVID19positive [link] [comments]
Grocery delivery people are warned not to approach zoo exhibit on lawn.
Otherwise, I feel ok, will try testing myself later today, even though I don't think I will be negative yet, but you never know.
Hope everyone is doing ok and gets better soon.
2023.06.04 18:33 Wanderlust063 Update: How I disposed of the ghost woman.
So this is an update on how I accidentally killed a ghost. If you want to know how I accidentally killed a ghost, you can find the story here: [https://www.reddit.com/nosleep/comments/13zet02/help\_i\_accidently\_killed\_a\_ghost\_and\_i\_dont\_know/\].
Around 30 minutes after I made the original post, my coworker, Sunny, came down the basement stairs. Her mouth was agape as she saw the lifeless body of the ghost woman lying near the foot of the stairs. Her head had stopped bleeding the inky liquid, but her eyes were now a milky white color.
She stared at the horrific display before looking back up at me. I thought she would have been freaking out, seeing a dead woman on the floor, but her expression was more of dismay. She pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a sigh. "What happened?"
The coherent thoughts in my head that would have clarified everything came out as a jumbled mess from my mouth. "I-I was watching the tapes and sorting, and there were only two tapes left, so..." My rambly explanation was cut short by her accusatory shout, "So you watched the tape with the red strip!"
The conviction in her voice made my heart sink. I retorted as quickly as she had cut me off, "No! I said there were only two tapes. Of course, I would choose the one that I had to watch and not the one I wasn't supposed to!"
Sunny was taken aback by what I said. "So you're telling me the tape without the red strip caused this?"
"Yes! For crying out loud, she climbed out of the TV!" My voice cracked a bit after I finished my sentence.
Sunny breathed out a deep sigh and walked down the remaining steps, taking extra caution not to step into the black puddle of blood. She seemed to be investigating the scene, looking at the water that spilled out of the TV and ran down the TV cart.
"Where are her footprints?" the question caught me off guard.
"It dried up," I answered.
"In under 5 minutes?"
I stared at her, baffled. "What do you mean? I've been waiting for you for like an hour and a half."
"What? But I ran all the way here. 5 minutes," the sincerity in her voice was undeniable.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and looked at the time displayed. "See, it's 7:30. I called you at 6:30. Where were you at that time?" I spoke while raising my phone up to her.
Sunny's eyes started to widen as she raised her arm, pulling back the sleeve to reveal a very fancy-looking wristwatch. "The time is six past six," her voice quivered. I walked over to also look at her watch, and she was right. The time on her watch was six past six, six minutes past six o'clock. We both looked at each other in utter shock.
Behind us, we heard the sound of a loud static eruption. Both of our heads turned in sync to look at the television set where we heard the loud bang. The sight was captivating. I don't know how to describe it accurately, but the screen of the TV was overflowing with blue static, like smoke pouring out and floating up to the ceiling.
I found myself walking over to the television set and decided to see if I could stick my hand in. I have no idea why I thought of this idea, but I did. Astoundingly, my hand went through the TV. It felt cold and wet, with the sensation of bubbles clinging to my arm, as if I had stuck my hand into a large bucket of club soda. I pulled my hand out, drenched in the bluish water. I looked back at Sunny and saw that we were both thinking the same thing.
Now, if you had told me that I would be dragging the body of a ghost woman across a basement to force through a TV that looked like a portal to a watery dimension, I would have laughed and slapped you across the face. But, with the help of Sunny, we successfully dragged the corpse all the way to the television. Now came the part of dumping her body into the TV portal. We managed to get her head into the TV and were busy trying to maneuver her shoulder in as well.
We took a break when half of her torso was in the TV portal, only showing her backside. Pushing a fully-grown woman into a box TV-sized portal proved really tiring. After the break, we went back to work. Only this time, the ghost woman's hand twitched. I yelped as I saw her index finger slightly curl, and Sunny let out a bunch of startled curses.
Our screams grew as we saw the ghost start to reanimate. Her hand curled into fists, violently swinging as her legs kicked. Her ear-piercing wails came back full force, as if her skull being cracked on a bunch of stairs had merely paused it.
Now, for the second and hopefully final time, I acted out of sheer panic. I ran up to the television, grabbed her legs, and shoved her deeper into the TV portal. She beat my chest with her kicks and made my ears ring with her blood-curdling screeches, but I refused to let up. I finally got her all the way through the TV as quickly as humanly possible. I yanked the cords linking the TV to the VHS player. Finally, her wails were cut short as the TV showed static.
For good measure, I also took the VHS out of the player and tossed it back into the box. I looked back at Sunny, who remained frozen, her hand covering her mouth as her eyes widened. For a long while, she imitated a statue. She finally spoke after a while, "Hey, um..."
"Yeah?" I said, perking my ears.
"We're not gonna say anything, right?"
"I wasn't planning on it."
She returned to her animated state, and we both walked out of the basement, climbing the stairs. "Are we gonna clean up the blood?" I asked from behind.
"I'll do it later tonight. But how did you kick a ghost?"
"I don't know. I either have a superpower, or it was just a really shitty ghost."
Sunny chuckled at the remark as we left the basement, now entering the warehouse. She stopped before turning around and flashing the light almost in my eyes. "Um... Are you gonna quit?" the question was a bit out of the blue but considering what happened, probably not totally unexpected.
"Maybe. I mean, other than what just happened today, this job is pretty sweet," my response seemed to ease her as she gave a light smirk. I then asked her, "You gonna quit?" She immediately retorted, "Oh god no. Where else would I go, retail?" I laughed at her response to my question, and we walked back to the front of the store. The manager saw me appear and walked down to greet me.
"Hello, new employee. How was your shift as an archivist?" The manager flashed his perfect row of teeth and smirked at me. "It went well," I responded, a bit nervous.
"Good, good. Did you watch all the VHS tapes as required?"
"Yes, sir, but there was one with a red strip that I didn't watch."
"Oh, yes, how fantastic. Now..." the manager pulled something out of his pocket, still maintaining eye contact. "Here is your bonus. Spend it on something good." He gave me a light slap on the shoulder before walking back to his office.
I looked down at the $20 bill in my hand. All that for $20. I can at least buy a couple of tubs of ice cream with this money. I grabbed my things and left the store, saying goodbye to Sunny as I walked out.
I am now typing this story in the comfort of my apartment, also with a half tub of ice cream on my lap. This might be my last post; I'm not really sure. I mean, some interesting things are bound to happen if I take the night shift, right?
submitted by Wanderlust063 to nosleep [link] [comments]
Around 30 minutes after I made the original post, my coworker, Sunny, came down the basement stairs. Her mouth was agape as she saw the lifeless body of the ghost woman lying near the foot of the stairs. Her head had stopped bleeding the inky liquid, but her eyes were now a milky white color.
She stared at the horrific display before looking back up at me. I thought she would have been freaking out, seeing a dead woman on the floor, but her expression was more of dismay. She pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a sigh. "What happened?"
The coherent thoughts in my head that would have clarified everything came out as a jumbled mess from my mouth. "I-I was watching the tapes and sorting, and there were only two tapes left, so..." My rambly explanation was cut short by her accusatory shout, "So you watched the tape with the red strip!"
The conviction in her voice made my heart sink. I retorted as quickly as she had cut me off, "No! I said there were only two tapes. Of course, I would choose the one that I had to watch and not the one I wasn't supposed to!"
Sunny was taken aback by what I said. "So you're telling me the tape without the red strip caused this?"
"Yes! For crying out loud, she climbed out of the TV!" My voice cracked a bit after I finished my sentence.
Sunny breathed out a deep sigh and walked down the remaining steps, taking extra caution not to step into the black puddle of blood. She seemed to be investigating the scene, looking at the water that spilled out of the TV and ran down the TV cart.
"Where are her footprints?" the question caught me off guard.
"It dried up," I answered.
"In under 5 minutes?"
I stared at her, baffled. "What do you mean? I've been waiting for you for like an hour and a half."
"What? But I ran all the way here. 5 minutes," the sincerity in her voice was undeniable.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and looked at the time displayed. "See, it's 7:30. I called you at 6:30. Where were you at that time?" I spoke while raising my phone up to her.
Sunny's eyes started to widen as she raised her arm, pulling back the sleeve to reveal a very fancy-looking wristwatch. "The time is six past six," her voice quivered. I walked over to also look at her watch, and she was right. The time on her watch was six past six, six minutes past six o'clock. We both looked at each other in utter shock.
Behind us, we heard the sound of a loud static eruption. Both of our heads turned in sync to look at the television set where we heard the loud bang. The sight was captivating. I don't know how to describe it accurately, but the screen of the TV was overflowing with blue static, like smoke pouring out and floating up to the ceiling.
I found myself walking over to the television set and decided to see if I could stick my hand in. I have no idea why I thought of this idea, but I did. Astoundingly, my hand went through the TV. It felt cold and wet, with the sensation of bubbles clinging to my arm, as if I had stuck my hand into a large bucket of club soda. I pulled my hand out, drenched in the bluish water. I looked back at Sunny and saw that we were both thinking the same thing.
Now, if you had told me that I would be dragging the body of a ghost woman across a basement to force through a TV that looked like a portal to a watery dimension, I would have laughed and slapped you across the face. But, with the help of Sunny, we successfully dragged the corpse all the way to the television. Now came the part of dumping her body into the TV portal. We managed to get her head into the TV and were busy trying to maneuver her shoulder in as well.
We took a break when half of her torso was in the TV portal, only showing her backside. Pushing a fully-grown woman into a box TV-sized portal proved really tiring. After the break, we went back to work. Only this time, the ghost woman's hand twitched. I yelped as I saw her index finger slightly curl, and Sunny let out a bunch of startled curses.
Our screams grew as we saw the ghost start to reanimate. Her hand curled into fists, violently swinging as her legs kicked. Her ear-piercing wails came back full force, as if her skull being cracked on a bunch of stairs had merely paused it.
Now, for the second and hopefully final time, I acted out of sheer panic. I ran up to the television, grabbed her legs, and shoved her deeper into the TV portal. She beat my chest with her kicks and made my ears ring with her blood-curdling screeches, but I refused to let up. I finally got her all the way through the TV as quickly as humanly possible. I yanked the cords linking the TV to the VHS player. Finally, her wails were cut short as the TV showed static.
For good measure, I also took the VHS out of the player and tossed it back into the box. I looked back at Sunny, who remained frozen, her hand covering her mouth as her eyes widened. For a long while, she imitated a statue. She finally spoke after a while, "Hey, um..."
"Yeah?" I said, perking my ears.
"We're not gonna say anything, right?"
"I wasn't planning on it."
She returned to her animated state, and we both walked out of the basement, climbing the stairs. "Are we gonna clean up the blood?" I asked from behind.
"I'll do it later tonight. But how did you kick a ghost?"
"I don't know. I either have a superpower, or it was just a really shitty ghost."
Sunny chuckled at the remark as we left the basement, now entering the warehouse. She stopped before turning around and flashing the light almost in my eyes. "Um... Are you gonna quit?" the question was a bit out of the blue but considering what happened, probably not totally unexpected.
"Maybe. I mean, other than what just happened today, this job is pretty sweet," my response seemed to ease her as she gave a light smirk. I then asked her, "You gonna quit?" She immediately retorted, "Oh god no. Where else would I go, retail?" I laughed at her response to my question, and we walked back to the front of the store. The manager saw me appear and walked down to greet me.
"Hello, new employee. How was your shift as an archivist?" The manager flashed his perfect row of teeth and smirked at me. "It went well," I responded, a bit nervous.
"Good, good. Did you watch all the VHS tapes as required?"
"Yes, sir, but there was one with a red strip that I didn't watch."
"Oh, yes, how fantastic. Now..." the manager pulled something out of his pocket, still maintaining eye contact. "Here is your bonus. Spend it on something good." He gave me a light slap on the shoulder before walking back to his office.
I looked down at the $20 bill in my hand. All that for $20. I can at least buy a couple of tubs of ice cream with this money. I grabbed my things and left the store, saying goodbye to Sunny as I walked out.
I am now typing this story in the comfort of my apartment, also with a half tub of ice cream on my lap. This might be my last post; I'm not really sure. I mean, some interesting things are bound to happen if I take the night shift, right?
2023.06.04 18:08 Majestic_Pea_1264 I use Body Modifications as self harm
Im 19 and got diagnosed with bipolar II around october '22. Honestly, I feel like I have had it my whole life but never went to a psychiatrist until I could get out of my toxic household. As the title states, I get tattoos and piercings as a way of self harming. I got my first piercings (ears) at 14, and I would always get 2-3 piercings at a time. I got my first tattoo on my 18th birthday, and it was a big one. Every 4 months, I get a new tat or piercing. I enjoy the pain, I love the mania it triggers in me. Currently I have 3 lobes, a conch, flat, cartilage, nose, and belly piercing and I want my tongue pierced soon. I have 4 tattoos, and want 2 more soon. I go to reputable piercers/tattoo artists so nothing gets screwed up, and I love all my body mods. When I am depressed Ill book an appointment, and its all I can think about until I get it done. Also, nobody knows about this because they just see the beauty and its significantly more socially acceptable than my faded cutting scars. Due to financials I have been restraining from booking an appointment, but its really hard. I don't really know what to do because the tattoos mean alot to me, and my piercings as well. They all tell a bit of my story. But I dont feel like its very healthy anymore. Any advice?
submitted by Majestic_Pea_1264 to BipolarReddit [link] [comments]
2023.06.04 18:01 Commandmanda Urgent Care Report: 05/31 - 06/02/23
Vast changes are coming to my clinic. The reduction of personnel has begun, firstly with the scheduling of only one provider on weekends and less busy days, and secondly with the introduction of scheduled appointments for the same day in order to offer patients less wait time.
The adoption of such measures combined with the lack of nurses and fully trained MAs is taking a toll. Confusion with labeling appointments, new higher prices, the new data systems, and overall personal stress are making the clinic an even less welcoming place. It's frustrating to see and experience.
We're seeing sicker patients mixed in with the usual sinus/ear pain/sore throat/pink eye cases. Unfortunately we had two 911 ER transfers that were life-or-death situations. People having heart attacks are coming to us, and that's not good. We're also seeing shortness of breath situations that should have been 911 calls from home, or should have gone to the ER immediately.
Just checking the Sunstar EMS each day, it's hard to find a time when there is not at least one or two shortness of breath calls in the Tampa Bay area. It's something that wasn't there in such numbers only a year or two ago, especially in-between spikes.
Strep A is back, in a big way. There is some concern within the medical community of a variant of Strep A which they are calling "Infectious Strep A" - as if regular strep is not infectious?! (Another nickname is "GAS", or Group A Strep). But this one seems to be acting differently. It's causing deaths, hospitalizations, cellulitis, organ damage, and loss of limbs. Read about it and how to react to it here:
https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/igas-infections-investigation.html
This could explain the sudden surge of cellulitis and prevalence of sore throats and ear infections in our area.
My own 20-something yr old next-door neighbor is having her tonsils out due to repeat Strep infections from exposure to the tots in the daycare facility where she works. It seems the children are in a never-ending circle of repeat Strep infections. While removal of her tonsils will work for about a year, repeated exposure will eventually win out, and the advantage of not having tonsils will cease.
One big thing to remember: WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN. Use a tissue to wipe your nose or eyes. Strep is much more resilient to remaining active on surfaces.
Despite the Covid numbers being "down" in our area, we are seeing more of them every day. While most of them are in travelling seniors, we have been getting one or two middle aged people in the mix as well. I smell a possible resurgence, but it's too early to ring any alarm bells. For now, these people know that they are sick, and are staying home. My fear is that before they are being confirmed positive, that they are not taking precautions in public. The proof is that most middle aged positive patients don't come in wearing masks.
Another issue with masking is that it has been so stigmatized that Strep patients are not wearing masks either. We have toddlers coughing like seals (the barking cough) in a room full of adults, 3/4 of which refuse a mask. I confess that I wince looking out upon a crowd in our waiting room. They seem oblivious to the children who are infectious.
We seem to be in the middle of the "two week reporting window", so my research on the spread of COVID via statistics will have to wait until next weekend. None of the hospitals show any difference on the CDC maps, and the last wastewater reports are from May.
The one thing I noticed is that COVID deaths are trending upward again in Florida.
So...during this in-between time, do your best to guard yourselves against COVID and Strep. Wear your masks, and wash your hands often.
Be SAFE.
submitted by Commandmanda to FloridaCoronavirus [link] [comments]
The adoption of such measures combined with the lack of nurses and fully trained MAs is taking a toll. Confusion with labeling appointments, new higher prices, the new data systems, and overall personal stress are making the clinic an even less welcoming place. It's frustrating to see and experience.
We're seeing sicker patients mixed in with the usual sinus/ear pain/sore throat/pink eye cases. Unfortunately we had two 911 ER transfers that were life-or-death situations. People having heart attacks are coming to us, and that's not good. We're also seeing shortness of breath situations that should have been 911 calls from home, or should have gone to the ER immediately.
Just checking the Sunstar EMS each day, it's hard to find a time when there is not at least one or two shortness of breath calls in the Tampa Bay area. It's something that wasn't there in such numbers only a year or two ago, especially in-between spikes.
Strep A is back, in a big way. There is some concern within the medical community of a variant of Strep A which they are calling "Infectious Strep A" - as if regular strep is not infectious?! (Another nickname is "GAS", or Group A Strep). But this one seems to be acting differently. It's causing deaths, hospitalizations, cellulitis, organ damage, and loss of limbs. Read about it and how to react to it here:
https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/igas-infections-investigation.html
This could explain the sudden surge of cellulitis and prevalence of sore throats and ear infections in our area.
My own 20-something yr old next-door neighbor is having her tonsils out due to repeat Strep infections from exposure to the tots in the daycare facility where she works. It seems the children are in a never-ending circle of repeat Strep infections. While removal of her tonsils will work for about a year, repeated exposure will eventually win out, and the advantage of not having tonsils will cease.
One big thing to remember: WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN. Use a tissue to wipe your nose or eyes. Strep is much more resilient to remaining active on surfaces.
Despite the Covid numbers being "down" in our area, we are seeing more of them every day. While most of them are in travelling seniors, we have been getting one or two middle aged people in the mix as well. I smell a possible resurgence, but it's too early to ring any alarm bells. For now, these people know that they are sick, and are staying home. My fear is that before they are being confirmed positive, that they are not taking precautions in public. The proof is that most middle aged positive patients don't come in wearing masks.
Another issue with masking is that it has been so stigmatized that Strep patients are not wearing masks either. We have toddlers coughing like seals (the barking cough) in a room full of adults, 3/4 of which refuse a mask. I confess that I wince looking out upon a crowd in our waiting room. They seem oblivious to the children who are infectious.
We seem to be in the middle of the "two week reporting window", so my research on the spread of COVID via statistics will have to wait until next weekend. None of the hospitals show any difference on the CDC maps, and the last wastewater reports are from May.
The one thing I noticed is that COVID deaths are trending upward again in Florida.
So...during this in-between time, do your best to guard yourselves against COVID and Strep. Wear your masks, and wash your hands often.
Be SAFE.
2023.06.04 17:59 throwawaylustaddict 32M I'm fucking my cousin's wife
When I first met her 8 years ago I thought she was gorgeous and that my cousin really lucked out because she was witty, incredibly smart and personable, charismatic,, super polite with all of our family, and in general just really fun to be around and visit with. They had an infant together(unplanned) which initiated their relationship. Knowing my cousin, I was pretty sure that their relationship still only existed because of the baby. Whatever though, not my place to voice disagreement of other people's choices.
The more I got to know her though, the more I liked her, and I mean really liked her. So much so that it was one of the largest reasons I broke up with my girlfriend at the time.
7 years ago they got engaged and even though there had never been anything between her and I, my gut hurt like a heartbreak and I realized just how much my feelings for her had snowballed into more than I bargained for. I was insanely jealous and thought about sabotaging their relationship because I wanted a chance with her. I never did it, but the thought crossed my mind and I felt like my cousin was not being honest with her. I knew he liked other women and shamelessly chased after then at bars or anytime she wasn't around.
Then 6 years ago, my cousin confided in me that he had been interested in the swinger lifestyle because he didn't want "just one pussy" the rest of his life and he was contemplating bringing it up with her, just not in the words he used with me of course. They weren't married yet. I encouraged him to, and not for selfish reasons. I honestly thought that if she loved him she would maybe consider his kink interest in swinging. If she gave him a hard no, then would he really want to spend the rest of his life with someone who wouldn't be compatible for him in the long run? I did hope to myself that maybe she'd realize she didn't have to be stuck with him. Idk. I thought it made sense.
Anyway. He proposed the lifestyle to her and she was not impressed but after a "little persuading" (him telling her he couldn't get married without at least trying it- painting her into a bit of a corner because I feel like he just manipulated her into an ultimatum) he tells me, she agreed to give it a try. Great. Just my fucking luck. Not only are they staying together but now I had to discreetly live with the information that my cousin doesn't really love or respect her, and that he doesn't care if she's actually interested in swinging or not, as long as he can have other women over or go fuck them whether she takes part or not. She's "free to do what she wants" he says, but I could tell over the next few months that she wasn't happy with him- and she didn't know he talked to me about it so I didn't know how to bring it up without embarrassing her and sticking my nose where it didn't belong.
About 6 months after he started sleeping with other women, they were visiting me for a long weekend when we all had a friday off work and they had a babysitter for the weekend.
We decided to re-live childhood fun by making a giant blanket fort to watch a movie in and order take out. My cousin insisted that we need popcorn and snacks so he was going to make a quick trip to the store. As he left, he joked that he knew his fiancee thought I was hot, and that I'd better take "really good care of her" before he gets back and winked at me. I laughed thinking he was just trying to make a cheesy joke but then he pulled out his phone and set an alarm, showing me, and said that I only had about 1 hour so I'd better "make it worth it". "Riiight" I said sarcastically, still trying to decide if he was joking or not as hr closed the door behind him.
She was in the living room still setting up the tent while he said this to me at the front door. I thought it was a really bizarre way to joke because he wasn't normally like that, and over the past 6 months he had told me she just simply didn't want to sleep with other people, but she was totally fine with him having side chicks. The thought crossed my mind that maybe he actually thought I would be willing to get involved sexually with her. I'd never told him about my feelings but between countless exchanged glances and moments, I had a pretty good idea that she knew I was at least a little sweet on her. Anyway, I walked the 15 feet down the hall back to the living room and rounded the corner to find her half naked, jeans draped on the sofa, pulling her shirt up slightly to expose her stomach. She said that my cousin let her know I was aware that they were swingers. (He failed to tell her that I knew she wasn't sleeping with other people, only he was). She said something like "Look, I could be totally wrong here so please stop me if I'm embarrassing myself further but I feel like you might be interested in me more than my cousin thinks, and if I'm not wrong then I think you should know that I'm attracted to you more than you probably think. I know this is so out of the blue and a bit awkward..."and I cut her off, wrapping a blanket around her. She immediately started apologizing and reached for her jeans but I told her no, don't apologize, just wait. I hugged her, all wrapped up in that blanket and told her look, let's talk.
I did not want to take advantage of this moment, internally though...... My cock had never been so hard so fast. All I though was No, this is not okay, this is not how I wanted to get her.
We sat down on the sofa, still in somewhat of a hug with her curled up against my side/chest and she admitted that they were opening up their relationship because he needed it, and she had permission to "fool around" with me.... if I was interested, but she actually hadn't met with anybody else, and then admitted that she's had eyes for me since we met but didn't know how to deal with that, especially because I had a girlfriend when we first met. I was jaw dropped. I admitted I've had feelings for her since shortly after we met, and those feelings were one of the reasons that my relationship with that gf had ended. We were silent for a minute, my arm still around her shoulders though and I was so very aware of her heartbeat as she was snuggled up to me. She leaned away from me a little, grabbed the free hand on my lap and looked up and me and said "I feel safe with you." Our eyes locked. That was the moment that sealed it. My heart skipped, my breath caught, everything stood still and she kissed me. WOW. I was shocked for a second then pulled her up closer with the arm that had been around her shoulders and as soon as I did, her tongue was down my throat in an instant. It was like an explosion of pent up passion on both our parts. That might even be an understatement. I pulled her in more forcefully to kiss and pull against me, as she writhed and pushed herself onto me with just as much force. I could not believe it. It was like a too-good-to-be-true moment that you'd have seen written into a movie script. We were frantically undressing each other, grabbing, kissing, biting... holy fuck I didn't know I was into being bit. I could feel how wet she was against my leg when she rubbed up on me and I just had to taste her. As soon as I started eating her out she stopped me, repositioned herself so we could 69 and God fucking dammit I have never had such amazing head. Within 3 minutes we were fucking. Every surface in my living room that day was christened and she told me repeatedly how much she had lusted after me and was so scared to bring it up, and how she couldn't believe she had been "missing out on this" this whole time. I responded much to the same sentiment and we damn well made the absolute most of that hour.
Just revisiting that memory has me rock solid.
3 hours, and a handful of orgasms later, my cousin finally got back- evidently from a last minute hook up, not the grocery store- the 3 of us talked that night about their lifestyle and the agreements they had in place, and how they both trusted me etc.. basically their agreement with each other includes that any sexual partners one or the other has must be approved by each other, ahead of time, and never in secret.
My issue is that they got married that year, but she was having doubts about getting married and was afraid to pull out of the wedding because of family pressure. Hesitantly she followed through with the wedding and I know she regrets it. Her and I have continued to have sex every chance we can.... but my cousin doesn't know we actually have feelings for each other, and he doesn't know we've continued to be sexual with each other. His wife is having an affair, with me. I don't know how to stop, I don't even want to stop. It's been 6 years now and the guilt is eating me alive. She's not happy with him, and I know he doesn't love her the way I do. My cousin is one of my best friends, I truly don't want him to hurt, and here I'm the asshole that's fucking his wife. I want her to leave him, and she wants to, but they had a kid together unplanned(broken condom) and she feels obligated to stay-especially because her family is out of touch and his parents have a great relationship with her. She's stuck for a number of reasons and I'm in love with her. I want to take care of all her worries and just end the agony of keeping everything so fucking secret and dishonest to my family, but I don't know where to start. I cannot stop thinking about her, especially knowing my cousin doesn't really love her, meanwhile it's torture to not be her partner, it's driving me insane.
So a little extra info too, I was single when we started the affair and stayed single for 3 years. In the back of my mind I stayed single for the chance of her and my cousin breaking up. Eventually I figured I need to just move on and thought if I started dating again then my feelings would go away,maybe it wasn't love, just lust. Instead, despite numerous one night stands, dates, and finally meeting a great girl that I am currently dating.... nothing dampened my feelings for her. I haven't cheated on my current girlfriend physically, but mentally I need to get my shit figured out here because I can't tell if I'm just lusting after my cousin's wife still... or if I actually love her, and what the hell can I even do about it. I don't even enjoy sex with my gf unless I'm picturing my cousin's wife. So now I'm just using my gf too and I feel like a real shit person. Idk where to go from here or what to do. On top of all this, They are coming to visit next weekend and I've been masturbating like every hour, getting nothing done because I get relentlessly hard every time I think about her sleeping in the room next to mine, and I want an excuse to get my cousin to leave so I can fuck her like she deserves, but I haven't broken up with this current gf yet and I know I will %100 take any chance to cheat on her with my cousins wife if I get it. I also know my cousin doesn't even appreciate his wife and it just makes me feel even less guilty about the affair.
TLDR; I've been having sex with my cousin's wife for 6 years. He approved of the first time(they have an "open" relationship), but he doesn't know she's been having an affair with me ever since. I've tried to stay away from her, and started dating someone, trying to deter my feelings for her, but I'm at a point now where idk if it's lust or love and I haven't cheated on my girlfriend physically but I cannot get my cousin's wife off my mind, and they are coming to visit next weekend...
submitted by throwawaylustaddict to confessions [link] [comments]
The more I got to know her though, the more I liked her, and I mean really liked her. So much so that it was one of the largest reasons I broke up with my girlfriend at the time.
7 years ago they got engaged and even though there had never been anything between her and I, my gut hurt like a heartbreak and I realized just how much my feelings for her had snowballed into more than I bargained for. I was insanely jealous and thought about sabotaging their relationship because I wanted a chance with her. I never did it, but the thought crossed my mind and I felt like my cousin was not being honest with her. I knew he liked other women and shamelessly chased after then at bars or anytime she wasn't around.
Then 6 years ago, my cousin confided in me that he had been interested in the swinger lifestyle because he didn't want "just one pussy" the rest of his life and he was contemplating bringing it up with her, just not in the words he used with me of course. They weren't married yet. I encouraged him to, and not for selfish reasons. I honestly thought that if she loved him she would maybe consider his kink interest in swinging. If she gave him a hard no, then would he really want to spend the rest of his life with someone who wouldn't be compatible for him in the long run? I did hope to myself that maybe she'd realize she didn't have to be stuck with him. Idk. I thought it made sense.
Anyway. He proposed the lifestyle to her and she was not impressed but after a "little persuading" (him telling her he couldn't get married without at least trying it- painting her into a bit of a corner because I feel like he just manipulated her into an ultimatum) he tells me, she agreed to give it a try. Great. Just my fucking luck. Not only are they staying together but now I had to discreetly live with the information that my cousin doesn't really love or respect her, and that he doesn't care if she's actually interested in swinging or not, as long as he can have other women over or go fuck them whether she takes part or not. She's "free to do what she wants" he says, but I could tell over the next few months that she wasn't happy with him- and she didn't know he talked to me about it so I didn't know how to bring it up without embarrassing her and sticking my nose where it didn't belong.
About 6 months after he started sleeping with other women, they were visiting me for a long weekend when we all had a friday off work and they had a babysitter for the weekend.
We decided to re-live childhood fun by making a giant blanket fort to watch a movie in and order take out. My cousin insisted that we need popcorn and snacks so he was going to make a quick trip to the store. As he left, he joked that he knew his fiancee thought I was hot, and that I'd better take "really good care of her" before he gets back and winked at me. I laughed thinking he was just trying to make a cheesy joke but then he pulled out his phone and set an alarm, showing me, and said that I only had about 1 hour so I'd better "make it worth it". "Riiight" I said sarcastically, still trying to decide if he was joking or not as hr closed the door behind him.
She was in the living room still setting up the tent while he said this to me at the front door. I thought it was a really bizarre way to joke because he wasn't normally like that, and over the past 6 months he had told me she just simply didn't want to sleep with other people, but she was totally fine with him having side chicks. The thought crossed my mind that maybe he actually thought I would be willing to get involved sexually with her. I'd never told him about my feelings but between countless exchanged glances and moments, I had a pretty good idea that she knew I was at least a little sweet on her. Anyway, I walked the 15 feet down the hall back to the living room and rounded the corner to find her half naked, jeans draped on the sofa, pulling her shirt up slightly to expose her stomach. She said that my cousin let her know I was aware that they were swingers. (He failed to tell her that I knew she wasn't sleeping with other people, only he was). She said something like "Look, I could be totally wrong here so please stop me if I'm embarrassing myself further but I feel like you might be interested in me more than my cousin thinks, and if I'm not wrong then I think you should know that I'm attracted to you more than you probably think. I know this is so out of the blue and a bit awkward..."and I cut her off, wrapping a blanket around her. She immediately started apologizing and reached for her jeans but I told her no, don't apologize, just wait. I hugged her, all wrapped up in that blanket and told her look, let's talk.
I did not want to take advantage of this moment, internally though...... My cock had never been so hard so fast. All I though was No, this is not okay, this is not how I wanted to get her.
We sat down on the sofa, still in somewhat of a hug with her curled up against my side/chest and she admitted that they were opening up their relationship because he needed it, and she had permission to "fool around" with me.... if I was interested, but she actually hadn't met with anybody else, and then admitted that she's had eyes for me since we met but didn't know how to deal with that, especially because I had a girlfriend when we first met. I was jaw dropped. I admitted I've had feelings for her since shortly after we met, and those feelings were one of the reasons that my relationship with that gf had ended. We were silent for a minute, my arm still around her shoulders though and I was so very aware of her heartbeat as she was snuggled up to me. She leaned away from me a little, grabbed the free hand on my lap and looked up and me and said "I feel safe with you." Our eyes locked. That was the moment that sealed it. My heart skipped, my breath caught, everything stood still and she kissed me. WOW. I was shocked for a second then pulled her up closer with the arm that had been around her shoulders and as soon as I did, her tongue was down my throat in an instant. It was like an explosion of pent up passion on both our parts. That might even be an understatement. I pulled her in more forcefully to kiss and pull against me, as she writhed and pushed herself onto me with just as much force. I could not believe it. It was like a too-good-to-be-true moment that you'd have seen written into a movie script. We were frantically undressing each other, grabbing, kissing, biting... holy fuck I didn't know I was into being bit. I could feel how wet she was against my leg when she rubbed up on me and I just had to taste her. As soon as I started eating her out she stopped me, repositioned herself so we could 69 and God fucking dammit I have never had such amazing head. Within 3 minutes we were fucking. Every surface in my living room that day was christened and she told me repeatedly how much she had lusted after me and was so scared to bring it up, and how she couldn't believe she had been "missing out on this" this whole time. I responded much to the same sentiment and we damn well made the absolute most of that hour.
Just revisiting that memory has me rock solid.
3 hours, and a handful of orgasms later, my cousin finally got back- evidently from a last minute hook up, not the grocery store- the 3 of us talked that night about their lifestyle and the agreements they had in place, and how they both trusted me etc.. basically their agreement with each other includes that any sexual partners one or the other has must be approved by each other, ahead of time, and never in secret.
My issue is that they got married that year, but she was having doubts about getting married and was afraid to pull out of the wedding because of family pressure. Hesitantly she followed through with the wedding and I know she regrets it. Her and I have continued to have sex every chance we can.... but my cousin doesn't know we actually have feelings for each other, and he doesn't know we've continued to be sexual with each other. His wife is having an affair, with me. I don't know how to stop, I don't even want to stop. It's been 6 years now and the guilt is eating me alive. She's not happy with him, and I know he doesn't love her the way I do. My cousin is one of my best friends, I truly don't want him to hurt, and here I'm the asshole that's fucking his wife. I want her to leave him, and she wants to, but they had a kid together unplanned(broken condom) and she feels obligated to stay-especially because her family is out of touch and his parents have a great relationship with her. She's stuck for a number of reasons and I'm in love with her. I want to take care of all her worries and just end the agony of keeping everything so fucking secret and dishonest to my family, but I don't know where to start. I cannot stop thinking about her, especially knowing my cousin doesn't really love her, meanwhile it's torture to not be her partner, it's driving me insane.
So a little extra info too, I was single when we started the affair and stayed single for 3 years. In the back of my mind I stayed single for the chance of her and my cousin breaking up. Eventually I figured I need to just move on and thought if I started dating again then my feelings would go away,maybe it wasn't love, just lust. Instead, despite numerous one night stands, dates, and finally meeting a great girl that I am currently dating.... nothing dampened my feelings for her. I haven't cheated on my current girlfriend physically, but mentally I need to get my shit figured out here because I can't tell if I'm just lusting after my cousin's wife still... or if I actually love her, and what the hell can I even do about it. I don't even enjoy sex with my gf unless I'm picturing my cousin's wife. So now I'm just using my gf too and I feel like a real shit person. Idk where to go from here or what to do. On top of all this, They are coming to visit next weekend and I've been masturbating like every hour, getting nothing done because I get relentlessly hard every time I think about her sleeping in the room next to mine, and I want an excuse to get my cousin to leave so I can fuck her like she deserves, but I haven't broken up with this current gf yet and I know I will %100 take any chance to cheat on her with my cousins wife if I get it. I also know my cousin doesn't even appreciate his wife and it just makes me feel even less guilty about the affair.
TLDR; I've been having sex with my cousin's wife for 6 years. He approved of the first time(they have an "open" relationship), but he doesn't know she's been having an affair with me ever since. I've tried to stay away from her, and started dating someone, trying to deter my feelings for her, but I'm at a point now where idk if it's lust or love and I haven't cheated on my girlfriend physically but I cannot get my cousin's wife off my mind, and they are coming to visit next weekend...
2023.06.04 17:14 piccolojohnson Chance of actually getting sick from a (somewhat) poorly maintained pool?
So I'm a paranoid person so bare with me.. but a month ago we got an above ground saltwater pool and it's our first pool so we're all noobs at it. The last time the pool was shocked was like 2 or 3 weeks ago and since then we've barely used it because of coldish/rainy weather here in NC. My dad hasnt tested the pool at all since the initial shock and the only maintenance has been the pump filter and clearing off debris (bugs/leaves) every day or other day. Yesterday, we swam in it for the 2nd time ever and the water felt clean and was crystal clear blue.
Long story short, i accidentally dunked my head under the water for a few seconds and water went in my nose and ears. Will I get sick since we havent maintained our water as well as we could have + didnt add any chemicals after heavy rainfall? What are the actual chances of getting sick from a pool that isnt maintained well? Am I just crazy paranoid? I read all this stuff about pools needing constant maintenance and testing and it's gotten me a bit scared.
submitted by piccolojohnson to pools [link] [comments]
Long story short, i accidentally dunked my head under the water for a few seconds and water went in my nose and ears. Will I get sick since we havent maintained our water as well as we could have + didnt add any chemicals after heavy rainfall? What are the actual chances of getting sick from a pool that isnt maintained well? Am I just crazy paranoid? I read all this stuff about pools needing constant maintenance and testing and it's gotten me a bit scared.
2023.06.04 17:00 Lemon_McGee Debilitating Exhaustion Has Followed Me My Whole Life, Advice Desperately Requested
Hi there, M26, 5’7, 76kg. I’ve been suffering with exhaustion both physical & mental for years now. It was first noticeable when I was 15 & has gotten more and more extreme as I’ve gotten older.
I find myself tired enough to nap after walking, with aches in my shins & knees, I can feel my pulse hammering (but not quickening) & my chest tightening. I am never refreshed after a night’s sleep & when I have no plans in a day I could easily sleep 13-14 hours & still crave a nap. I am near-constantly sick, mostly with headaches, sinus pressure behind the eyes & in the ears, sore throat, upset stom ach & nausea.
I work a low-stress admin job & even find that exhausting - like a heavy, overwhelming tiredness that slows my thinking & ruins my motivation. Often I have woken up at work by my head hitting the keyboard as I’ve fallen asleep.
I’ve been to several GPs in Ireland and the UK & had a full run of tests done several times - bloods, physical exam & ECG have never shown anything unusual. I don’t drive, so I walk an hour every day at a minimum. My diet isn’t healthy due to picky eating left over from childhood, but I eat enough and try to have as balanced a diet as I can under the circumstances. I’ve taken quetiapine (25mg) & sertraline (100mg) for 5 years now. I drink at least a can of coke zero every day, & I use vapes after quitting smoking 4 years ago & probably use up a disposable one every 3 days. I used drugs heavily in my early 20’s but have not since I started my medications.
The tiredness & illness have impacted my mental health massively - I do not feel like I can maintain a social life or make any progress in a career due to tiredness. I maintain my hygiene & chores just barely, but it always feels like an enormous task. I feel severely depressed about how much I might be missing out on as a result of my illness. Going to doctors repeatedly just to be told there is nothing wrong with me again & again feels like I may just have to accept that this is how difficult life is going to be, & that I’m hitting my head against a wall.
If anyone can give me insight or advice, I’d be extremely, extremely grateful.
submitted by Lemon_McGee to AskDocs [link] [comments]
I find myself tired enough to nap after walking, with aches in my shins & knees, I can feel my pulse hammering (but not quickening) & my chest tightening. I am never refreshed after a night’s sleep & when I have no plans in a day I could easily sleep 13-14 hours & still crave a nap. I am near-constantly sick, mostly with headaches, sinus pressure behind the eyes & in the ears, sore throat, upset stom ach & nausea.
I work a low-stress admin job & even find that exhausting - like a heavy, overwhelming tiredness that slows my thinking & ruins my motivation. Often I have woken up at work by my head hitting the keyboard as I’ve fallen asleep.
I’ve been to several GPs in Ireland and the UK & had a full run of tests done several times - bloods, physical exam & ECG have never shown anything unusual. I don’t drive, so I walk an hour every day at a minimum. My diet isn’t healthy due to picky eating left over from childhood, but I eat enough and try to have as balanced a diet as I can under the circumstances. I’ve taken quetiapine (25mg) & sertraline (100mg) for 5 years now. I drink at least a can of coke zero every day, & I use vapes after quitting smoking 4 years ago & probably use up a disposable one every 3 days. I used drugs heavily in my early 20’s but have not since I started my medications.
The tiredness & illness have impacted my mental health massively - I do not feel like I can maintain a social life or make any progress in a career due to tiredness. I maintain my hygiene & chores just barely, but it always feels like an enormous task. I feel severely depressed about how much I might be missing out on as a result of my illness. Going to doctors repeatedly just to be told there is nothing wrong with me again & again feels like I may just have to accept that this is how difficult life is going to be, & that I’m hitting my head against a wall.
If anyone can give me insight or advice, I’d be extremely, extremely grateful.
2023.06.04 16:56 3kyan Hay fever?
It's my first year of having all these symptoms. The symptoms started mid April and are constant.
My symptoms:
submitted by 3kyan to Hayfever [link] [comments]
My symptoms:
- Dry and burning eyes - sometimes itchy
- Dry nose and full sinuses
- Head feels full and heavy
- Constant headache around/behind eyes and nose
- My left ear hurts sometimes
- Feeling kinda woozy
2023.06.04 16:52 micronesiarain Episode 5- "Killer Queens" 🔪😱
 | Before this episode begins, I am so happy to say that this is the 100th episode of MDR! I guess I knew we'd reach it one day, but still can't believe it. It has truly felt like it's flown by, but the countless memories I have are a reminder of the past year and a half, and all 100 episodes. I am so appreciative of the support on this project, it has been so much fun to bring to life, and I can't thank everyone enough for letting us get to this milestone. Enjoy the episode <3 submitted by micronesiarain to XtinasDragRace [link] [comments] ------------------------- the queens return to the workroom after Sharris' elimination 🏁Kami CF: Coming back from the last elimination, I feel like we need at least two to three business days to decompress. It was wild! Steph: Well...how y'all doin'? the queens look around the room in silence Whorechata: I just wanted to say something. Things got really out of hand earlier, and I know it was hard for all of us. But if there was any group to go through this with, I'm glad it was you all. Wren: Aw, thank you. I feel the same wa- Whorechata: I mean really, there's no group I'd want to go through being safe with. It was such an intense moment, but you all held me down. Sue: ... Anthyy: That's not where I thought you were going with that! Whorechata: Oh and I guess the Sharris thing was unfortunate too, but the real tragedy was just so much worse. 🏁Whorechata CF: Whew, let me try and hold back these tears. I knew this competition would get intense, but I never knew the level it would get to. So when Micro called me safe, it was a wake up call about just how nasty things can get here. A disaster, truly. Morgs: I don't want to excuse what Sharris said. It was definitely not a nice thing to say. Wren: I swear there's a "but" coming. Steph: Wren, this is a family show... Morgs: But, I have to be real and say that I'm sad to see her gone. She was someone I was really close with, and I know that this meant so much. Blondie: You can be sad that your friend isn't here anymore, but you really can't be sad that her toxic energy was removed from this environment. Morgs: My relationship with Sharris wasn't toxic. I know she did some of you wrong. But that wasn't my experience. 🏁Morgs CF: I feel like I'm put between a rock and Jackie Cox's face right now. All of the other queens are allowed to react however they want to when it comes to one of their friends going home. But when I do it, it feels like I'm not really allowed to feel sad about it. Anthyy: I never saw myself picking Sharris to go home, especially this early. But I can reveal that I chose her lipstick. And I do feel for Morgs, that's your sister. What it came down to was that I needed to make sure the competition was kept as drama free as possible. Morgs: I understand, it's okay. 🏁Anthyy CF: Morgs and Sharris were two people I had an alliance with. Even before we came here, I knew we'd look out for each other. However, it comes down to what feels right on a human level, and Sharris took things too far with Wren. I had to take a stand, even if it meant sending home an ally. Wren: Full tea, what Sharris said didn't really bother me. I've heard worse, and I'm sure I'll hear worse in the future. Blondie: That's not fair to you, though. Wren: It's okay! You all know that me loving myself isn't an issue, I'm not about to let that get to me. 🏁Wren CF: I mean, how did Sharris want me to react? Did she want this to be the part where you bring out the tiny violin and switch everything to black and white while I wistfully look through a window while a single tear falls down my well defined cheekbones? Girl bye. Blondie: One thing's for sure, people proved who they really were. Some of you who rode for what Sharris was saying, I won't forget that. Fleur rolls her eyes and laughs 🏁Blondie CF: My relationship with Fleur has gone down to a zero. Or scratch that, a negative two. We do run in similar circles, and I was expecting that to mean something in this competition. And it did for the first day or so. But when the pressure got turned up, Fleur showed her true colors. I need space from her right now, or else I'll pop off, and I'm not trying to be a fighter again. All that screaming messes up your vocal chords, and Fleur is not worth that! Fleur: The vagueness is killing me. Blondie: I'm not being vague, I'm just not giving you the attention you're craving. Fleur: Blondie, be so real right now. Do you think I'm scared of you? Do you think there's any reason why I should be scared of you in this competition? Blondie: Based on who won a challenge, maybe! Fleur: Oh right, I forgot you won a challenge. Or did you even win it? It felt a lot like Zodya carrying you. Blondie: The win is still sitting pretty. Something not everyone can say! 🏁Fleur CF: Blondie, I tried. I tried to defy the odds and actually get along with you here. But you've just proven to me that everyone here is truly awful. I'm not worried about anyone here being able to take me out. So why not give them hell and make them all miserable? That sounds even nicer than a crown. Yes, that'll do just fine. Get ready for it, you woke up the bitch. Well, the inner bitch. The outer bitch has been here the whole time. You know what I meant. And edit some nice villain music under all of that. It's showtime! The Next Day the queens dance into the workroom and over to the table 🏁Kami CF: It's a new day in the workroom, and I'm hoping the next challenge is something like baking cupcakes. That might be the only thing capable of bringing us back together. But for real, that would be so fun... Zodya: Sue, I have to ask how you felt during the last lipsync. Sue: I was fine. Really, I was so fine! And side note, but the sheets in the hotel are really great at absorbing tears. Or so I've been told. 🏁Sue CF: I really thought that last week could've been it for me. Everything felt so right, but it just wasn't enough. I'm desperate to prove myself as a strong competitor here, and someone that people should be afraid of. But without a win, it's hard to do that. Whorechata: I was surprised at the top two, and that's only a moderate read. Zodya: I'm scared for this answer, but who would you have taken out of the top? Anthyy: And I know you might say me, but I don't really care. I know I turned it out, mama. Whorechata: I would have replaced both of you! I think Sue should've been up there. And the other spot would have to go to a beautiful queen, full of talent, starts with a W... Wren: Aw, me? Whorechata: No, me. Wren: Oh! Not sure why I'm even surprised by that at this point. the workroom door swings open and Micro walks in, wearing a tailored white suit with a matching hat and cherry red lip Micro: Hello queens! Steph: Alright, pimp mama! Micro: Last week, things got a little tense. And uh, that might be a bit of an understatement. Which is why for your next challenge, it would make sense to do something a little more lighthearted. Kami: Yes please! Micro: But you know how we do things around here. For your next challenge, you'll be killing each other. Blondie: Oh dear god. Micro: With your acting, of course! The ten of you will be randomly split into two teams of five. In this group, you will be in charge of producing a plot, trailer, and captivating poster for the next big horror movie. How you choose to work within your team, that's up to you. But if I were you, I'd be sure to contribute if you want to avoid the bottom. And on the runway, category is "Pretty Little Prosthetics". Good luck, and get ready to scream! 🏁Blondie CF: For our challenge this week, we're split into teams as we create a horror movie. On my team, we have Fleur, Kami, Whorechata, and Zodya. And on the other team, Anthyy, Morgs, Steph, Sue, and Wren. Less than thrilled to be on a team with Fleur, but it's a strong group, and I think our chances of winning are pretty solid! the teams scatted through the workroom, with Blondie, Fleur, Kami, Whorechata, and Zodya talking by the couches 🏁Whorechata CF: It's starting to get to me that I haven't really been performing at the level I know I'm capable of here. I'm feeling a new sense of determination this week, and I have a whole list of ideas for this challenge. It's time to prove why I'm here. Whorechata: So...I have ideas. Fleur: There's a first for everything! Whorechata: I'm thinking it could be cool to have the movie be shown from two different perspectives. The same story, but you see it differently depending on who it's focusing on. A sort of play on how the same situation can be perceived differently by different people. Zodya: Wait, I love that? Kami: That's a really great idea. Whorechata: I know, that's why I said it! I mean...thanks! 🏁Kami CF: I do tend to feel stressed in group challenges. Especially with this big of a group. There are five of us. There might be more room to hide, but it's also so much harder to stand out. I want my voice to be heard, and I want to shine, but I'm not sure how. Fleur: I'll volunteer to work on the poster. Kami: Nice! Do you want help on that? Fleur: Hmm, I think I can do it on my own. 🏁Fleur CF: First of all, I'd rather eat sand than work with anyone on my team. And, the poster is a huge part of this challenge. If I do it on my own, that means all the credit goes to me. Maybe a bad idea if the poster turns out ugly, but I'm not too worried about that. My only worry now is what to wear for the lipsync this week! Zodya: Blondie, do you have an idea of what you're working on? Blondie: I'll do whatever you need. Put me wherever and give me something to do. Whorechata: Work with me on the script. I need someone to read through it and make sure it makes sense. One little issue, can you read? Blondie: You bitch. 🏁Whorechata CF: I didn't plan on taking a leader position this week, but it kinda fell into place. We're getting some good work done, most of us at least. Kami, I know she wants to contribute, but I don't know what she's done yet? And that's starting to worry me. We might not be able to get this done in time... the team of Anthyy, Morgs, Steph, Sue, and Wren talk around the table Anthyy: Ladies, ready to win? I need this one! Wren: Oh please, you do not need another win right now. I'm already getting the Greantee flashbacks as is! 🏁Wren CF: Being on a team with Anthyy is really scary. I like her, we get along. But if we do well, that means another win for her. At a certain point, we need to stop her. Sue: I feel like I could work on the poster? I can do my best with that! Wren: That's perfect. Do we want ours to be a parody of iconic movies, or should it be fully original? Morgs: I would maybe bring those ideas together. It can be a new and fresh idea, but still referencing certain ideas that have worked before. Wren: I like that, I like that. Anthyy: I would feel most comfortable working on the poster. Steph: I think Sue mentioned wanting to work on that. Anthyy: I don't want to take it away from her of course. Sue: No, it's okay! Whatever is best for the team. Anthyy: Are you sure? Sue: If that's what will make our team strong, that's what we should do. Anthyy: Thank you Sue, such a queen! Morgs, do you want to get some work done on this? Morgs: Anything for you, well of course! the team works on their script before coming back together to go over their progress Anthyy: I have the outfits for the poster almost done. But don't worry, they'll be done. Wren: Not to be shady, but what were the two of you doing for all that time? You were gone for awhile, and didn't get anything done. Morgs: She just said she was working on the outfits and that they're almost done. Wren: The two of you talked a lot about what you were going to contribute, I'm not seeing much of anything. You need to do your part in the group. Anthyy: We are. Don't diminish our work! Wren: I don't see what work I'm diminishing... 🏁Wren CF: Maybe I need to appoint myself as the team leader, because we are not making enough progress. Anthyy and Morgs are like the two friends in school who work together on all the projects, but never get anything done because they're talking the whole time. We have serious work to do! Morgs: I've been adding to the script, Anthyy's done the outfits, we've done more than enough. Wren: That's not what I asked you two to do. Morgs, you were supposed to look over what I was doing, not add your own stuff. Morgs: I get that, but I'm not going to sit back and do nothing. Wren: Well it feels like you're either doing nothing, or just making things worse. 🏁Anthyy CF: Wren is making me and Morgs feel horrible during this challenge. We're doing the work, more than some other people in the team! But she ignores that since they're friends. It's making me question if I want to even be here, because she's making me feel so bad right now. the teams continue to work, as Whorechata goes over to the other team Whorechata: So like, what if we had more time? Steph: We have to be on the runway soon, I don't think that's an option. Whorechata: If we all ask for a few more hours, maybe Micro will give it to us. 🏁Whorechata CF: What we have so far is good. But time is our biggest issue. If we can get a little extra, I know we can pull it all together. And it helps the other team too, it makes sense. Anthyy: I don't think we need the extra time. Wren: We don't, I know we don't. 🏁Wren CF: Your poor time management is not my fault. We were given the time we were given. If you can't make that work, start packing your bags. Whorechata: But would you be against it? Anthyy: I'm not making a scene over extra time, but we don't need it. Whorechata: So what I'm hearing is that I can ask for more time... Morgs: I wouldn't be mad with more time. Sue: I'm happy to make it work either way. Whorechata: Perfect! Whorechata leaves the workroom to ask a producer about extra time, before realizing there are no producers, only Micro. She drags Micro into the workroom while she's halfway done with getting ready for the runway Micro: Chile, what now? Whorechata: You know how much we love you, right? And how you really don't even need a corset, no matter what everyone says about your waist. Micro: Excuse me? Whorechata: What I'm saying is, we need a little more time for the challenge. Micro: And everyone's good with that? Whorechata: They'd love it! Micro: I'm asking them...not you. Whorechata: Sorry, I'm just speaking for the people. I'm motherly like that. Micro: Does anyone strongly object to a few more hours for the challenge. Anthyy and Wren hesitate before raising their hands, and bringing them back down when nobody else objects Micro: Alright, you can have a few more hours. But you better use it and make this the best challenge yet. Whorechata: Mwah, thank you! 🏁Wren CF: When Micro says that there's an extension, I start to see red. Our group does not need this extra time. We may not have everything done right now, but when we hit the runway, it would've been ready. Micro leaves the workroom and the queens talk while getting ready by the mirrors Wren: This is such bullshit, just so you all know. Kami: What happened? Wren: This whole extra time. Kami: Were you guys done with your work? Wren: ...that's not the point. We would've been done with it. Anthyy: To me, it just feels like riggory. Micro wants the underdogs to win this week, so she's giving you more time. Zodya: Underdogs? Anthyy: I don't mean that in a shady way. I'm just saying that our team seemed stronger, and Micro wanted to make it less obvious. It's clear to me. Wren: Exactly. 🏁Zodya CF: I don't know what Anthyy and Wren are trying to get at with this. I saw their work, it's nowhere near done. And in what world are we the underdogs? Anthyy sees everything by the numbers, but that isn't the only thing that matters in a challenge like this. Anthyy: Look, it doesn't matter. Congrats on winning this week, woohoo! Runway the lights flicker and an electric magenta light floods the runway as Micro struts down the center Micro Episode 5 Look Micro: Welcome back to the runway of Micro's Drag Race: All Stars Two! This week, the queens were challenged with working in teams to come up with original horror film concepts. And joining me on the judging panel is a queen with killer creativity, Lisbon! Lisbon Guest Judging Look Micro: Lisbon, thank you for being here! Lisbon: Anything for you...as long as you give me a crown one day. Micro: Ha! Lisbon: I'm not joking...oh at all. Micro: Oh. I'll see what I can do about that! Do you have any terrifying moments from your time on MDR that might inspire you in a challenge like this? Lisbon: Why yes, I have quite a few! Season One Episode Twelve, All Stars One Episode Twelve, XDRVTW Episode Six. I'd have to say those really stick out. Micro: Any reason? Lisbon: Nope, none at all! Lisbon pulls out her voodoo dolls of Unieke, Tiwa, and Crystal Micro: Well, that is not at all troubling! You ready to get into things? Lisbon: Please, before I turn these dolls into a pile of fluff. Micro: Alright! First up on the runway, category is "Pretty Little Prosthetics"! "Bad Juju" by Jujubee plays Anthyy: Tonight on the runway the theme is prosthetics! And honey trust me this theme is just asking itself for it to be a creppy spooky lewk, but i already served that last week and on episode 1 an literally thorught the whle halloween special for miss Xtina so this time i wanted to make sure i am as girly as i can be with this prostehtics them! But also there is another layer to it i would never just go for a look and dont do nothing behing to it. Tonight on the runway i am channeling a broken porcelain ballerina doll. My whole dress is made out of glass and i am walking very carefully but stunning-ly by the runway. Her story is that her soul is trapped inside a ballerina's figure body and as you can see on the skin an thorughout her body she is slowly turning into that sad ballerina with the glass pieces cutting through her skin,, thats what the prostheticas are in my look! they modify her whole face, she is sad on the glass side, she is trapped and she is bleeding! but in pink! cause pretty girls have pink blood! Don't try and check it though! This runway also need to have a personal touch for me to feel good about it and tonight i wanted to honur my grandma, since she always wanted to become a ballerina but never made it! so granny tonight! you are the prettiest glass ballerina on the mainstage of the biggest compeitiotn! Anthyy Look Blondie: KERMI! I AM READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP MON AMOUR! Tonight I am representing the original camp/fashion icon Miss Piggy! I am wearing prosthetic ears, a nose, and a cute wiggly tail! I am also wearing more passing than usual to create that big girl magic energy, so not only am I appropriating fat people, but pigs as well! The dress is completely made by moi and completely bedazzled, I get actual pearls and diamond encrusted headband, and I styled the 40 inch weave myself! I am taking a huge risk going camp, but I rather go out looking like a pig, than actually being one (cough cough Alex cough cough) . And you don't like it, expect this karate chop! HI-YA! Blondie Look Fleur: People say I am two faced which I don't necessarily agree with because I say what I want when I want but I just wanted to pay homage to the losers of my past arguements who call me two faced by wearing a prosthetic head! Two heads is always better than one head, am I right Fleur Look Kami: For my prosthetics lewk I am getting down and dirty mawma! I just wanted to do something fun this week, so I have gone with this sort of pig prosthetic thingy. This is for my fellow vegan/vegetarian qweens! #ISTANDWITHVEGANTEACHER Kami Look Morgs: Silicon manufacturing with your own skin using inorganic compounds of negotiated slurp products for your bodacious perfect size scabs snack for youthful glow anti aging properties may turn vou slime new products for you soon including waters I discussed with Wren stay tune #microfracking Morgs Look Steph: for my prosthetic look tonight i wanted to gag everyone by showing that i can be green with envy and still be pretty. just look at my skin and my long nose and she’s bald! also that rat is just a little scrumptious snack for later YUMMY YUMMY!! what’s not to love. i love a long soft prosthetic nose, ears, and chinnnn. if ur chin ain’t long, you’re just wrong! Steph Look Sue: So for this runway I am serving you the end of the world but she I still a bad bitch because uwu. Sue Look Whorechata: On the runway tonight I am feeling very SAFE! I am a kraken craking backs mawma! She is giving a full squid head prosthetic this evening. I am ready to wreck holes and boats tonight!!! Whorechata Look Wren: Today on the runway I am giving you Ratrina Ratson, heir to the Ratson throne. She is DRIPPING in like a million fucking layers of jewels, necklaces, bracelets, and silver. When she moves it sounds like windchimes. I have been consistently getting the critique that I don't drag things up enough, and I hope thisll change that. This is what happens if the rats in Cinderella were sent to the ball instead of her, Cinderella has rats in it right? I'm literally just realizing while typing this that I have never seen Cinderella. Wren Look Zodya: For this runway, I am showing off a look inspired by the Dilophosaurus! I have used prosthetics to make myself look fully reptilian, including my large, colorful flaps of skin off my face and hands. And don’t forget to mention my talons, as well as the horns sprouting out throughout my body. Don’t mess with me, queens, or else I’ll tear you apart and eat you alive…in Minecraft! Zodya Look ------------------------- Micro: Thank you ladies. You all look gorgeous, or terrifyingly disturbing. But hey, these looks will definitely be hard to forget. Now, let's take a look at your horror movie scripts. Team 1: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e-6bIAzNsvFOqKMMaqR7z5Y2ca503HZnzg15Ym4GfLc/edit# Team 2: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EoPn63HhkzwHNf1O4zJJ_Zj0U7tk07x96rx_iCZO4jg/edit?usp=sharing https://youtu.be/eVFuGpRHkdU Critiques Micro: Based on your performances tonight, Lisbon and I have formed some opinions. It's time for your critiques. Micro: First up, Team 1 (Blondie, Fleur, Kami, Whorechata, Zodya)! Lisbon: Well, hello ladies… and Fleur. This concept was really interesting! I like that you weren’t afraid to approach it more seriously and it felt very atmospheric. However, it fell a little flat for me I guess? The addition of the hallucinations felt odd and left me wondering if Desireé or whatever was like- magic? I think this felt like a solid horror short story but I feel like it lacked imagination and was pretty middle of the road content wise. As for your runways… Blondie, I really love this look as I am the Miss Piggy extraordinaire but I wish it was elevated a little more. It’s giving Ariana meets Miss Piggy which I love but it’s definitely a bit more pedestrian than I’d like for All Stars. Fleur this is one of my top looks of the night you look absolutely horrid, no note really other than the glitter bouquet feels a wee bit cheap. Kami, this is cunt. No notes. Lucky, you look good! It’s a great look, I just want more mug I suppose. Zodya this is fierce, I love a concept that is well executed! One note and this is mainly a personal preference, I wish the face was more cunt less monster, but obviously that’s nitpicking. Micro: Hello pretty ladies!! I think within this group, you all have such clear strengths, and I was curious to see how that would work in a team format. And I have to say, I’m really impressed by what you came up with. Starting with the poster, I think it captures that eery feeling and the split down the poster played perfectly into the story of the movie. I think some more contrast on the poster could’ve made it pop even more, but I thought it was nicely done! In the plot, I think this was structured a little more as a scene or trailer, rather than it being an overall summary of what the film would be about and the journey it would take us on. It was well written, I just think it ended up being overshadowed by the trailer since the vibe was quite similar between the two. Speaking of the trailer, it was so gripping. I was reading as fast as I could to see what would happen next, and that level of suspense isn’t easy to achieve. My one little nitpick would be that I wish the split perspectives were showcased more, but really fantastic work. On the runway, solid looks from each of you! Kami, I love the campiness of this look, and how you and Blondie played into the pig elements of the movie. Very clever! Fleur, this is the blend of concept and glamour that you do so well, nicely done. Lucky and Zodya, these creature looks can be tough to hold onto the fashion, but you both managed to pull it off. The scaling is grand and extravagant, two of the strongest looks of the night. Overall, very impressed by your group! Micro: Next, Team 2 (Anthyy, Morgs, Steph, Sue, Wren)! Lisbon: You guys… acting challenges are hard and I get that but this thing? Was super fun!!! Oh my god!!! I think taking the camp and parody route is a risk that is well worth taking because this was really good! Troglodyte was a standout in my opinion, but everyone had their moments. This was such a fun watch and you mixed two horror franchises really well! Micro is a lot scarier though to be honest. My issue tonight with this team is the runways as opposed to the other team over there. Starting with Anthyy, I love the concept as a former dancer, I just know this execution could’ve been a little more en pointe. I’m hilarious. I just wish it was more clearly prosthetic. Morgs, this is a well executed cliché with a fun twist. I’ve seen and was expecting a booby girl but I like that you are pink, this runway isn’t winning any awards though. Steph… girl… these prosthetics are so good… but this dress is god awful. You are giving Party City girl, and that’s the point blank truth. Sue. Meh. It’s fine, just not mind blowing. WREN WHY ARE YOU A RAT? This look is train wreck central. Those are necklace and earring PNGs on that dress and I don’t even know what’s going on with your face. Rat? Why? But like, this group had a phenomenal challenge, but was challenged with looks. Micro: This team is full of some creative creative ladies, so I was really excited to see y’all in a team together. And I just have to say, the execution of this was incredibly well done. The poster, I love the custom looks, the dark shadowy feel, the scary ass “person” in the back, and the little “probably not though” at the bottom. That was a really fun little comedic touch that gave the poster some depth. I have to be honest, I was a little worried when I saw that the concept was so similar to Drag Race, just with a darker twist. I think for a challenge like this, it could’ve been an opportunity to go balls to the wall. But within the concept, you found really nuanced ways of telling the story. The character building and storytelling was next level, and it made me so invested in what was happening. The audio as well, in the words of Wendy Williams, “it was scuh-ary”. I think the way you structured everything as well was something we could actually see with a plot and trailer, clean and concise. The twisted humor throughout the trailer added lots of special touches, I loved to see it. On the runway, some serves were served! Anthyy, this dark ballerina moment is so pure, but also has darker levels beneath the surface. Steph, I think the actual prosthetic work here is amazing. But the dress, I wish it was so much more!! Morgs and Sue, I love how you both took a more standard fashion silhouette, and infused that prosthetic twist throughout. Wren, rat queen! This week was truly a return to the originality and dedication you showcased on Season Six, and this runway proves that. It’s weird, it doesn’t make sense, it’s glamorous, it checks all the boxes. Nicely done. Overall, great work from this team!! Micro: Thank you ladies. This week, you worked in teams. But your individual work is what matters here. When I call your name, please step forward. Micro: Anthyy, Fleur, Morgs, Steph, Zodya. The five of you are safe. You may step to the back of the stage. 🏁Anthyy CF: Disappointed to only be safe, but this week was really awful for me, and I'm just glad I was able to make it through. Micro: Blondie Dahl. On the runway, you were a blushing bacon bride. Micro: Whorechata Grande. In the challenge, you had us all questioning reality. Micro: Wren Wyvern. This week, you scurried your way to the top. Micro: Whorechata, Wren. Congratulations, you are the top two queens of the week! 🏁Whorechata CF: And that's how you do it. 🏁Wren CF: Yes!! Fuck yes!! Finally I get my moment, this is what I've been waiting for! Micro: Blondie, you are safe. Blondie: Better than getting the pork chop! Micro: Sadly, that means Kami and Sue, you are the bottom queens of the week. 🏁Kami CF: This is a horrible feeling. I know how badly I want this, and the thought of my dream being cut short, it's heartbreaking. 🏁Sue CF: I'm devastated right now. I wanted this to be the week where I got to the top, not fall to the bottom. I don't want to be the reason Kami goes home, but I need to fight for my spot. Micro: Whorechata, Wren. In a moment, you will lipsync for your legacy and for the right to eliminate one of the bottom queens. Head backstage to Untucked and deliberate. Untucked the queens enter Untucked 🏁Zodya CF: The bottom two this week is crushing to see. You don't want it to be you, but it stings seeing such amazing people in the bottom. For once, I am glad to not be in the top. Kami: First and foremost, congratulations! Not the ideal situation, but the two of you crushed it, and we need to celebrate that. Wren: Aw, thank you. I don't want to be obnoxious with how I'm feeling, but this just feels amazing. Like, ahhhhh!! Whorechata: I told myself that I would be able to win this challenge if I set my mind to it. And look at me now! It makes me feel great. Steph: I'm obviously really happy for the two of you, but devastated at who's in the bottom. I really didn't expect this. Sue: I thought I gave it my all this week. But when you hear the critiques, it's hard not to feel like you could've done more. I guess that's what I'm feeling right now. Steph: Aw, Sue. I thought you were great. Sue: Thanks. This just, it means more to me than I thought it did? And to go from feeling like I was picking up steam to totally crashing, it's not a slay moment. Steph: Very not slay. Blondie: Whatever happens, you two have brought so much to this. It means a lot that I can call you my sisters. Morgs: Did anyone have issues working with their team? Zodya: I think we all got along! Kami: There was a clear end goal of what we wanted to get done. It would've been nice to feel like we all had the chance to do our fair share, but it was a good experience overall. Whorechata: I know you wanted to do more. But it's up to you to step in and make sure you're involved. You'll get left behind if you wait for us to bring you in. Kami: Yeah, I get it. It's just a lot of emotions, sorry. Whorechata: Hey, you're good. Anthyy: I thought we worked really well. We all brought our own unique twist, and it came out great in my eyes. Morgs giggles 🏁Anthyy CF: The other team does not need to know how bad things were for us. If they know, then they'll think I'm not good at working in a team. They need to think that everything went perfectly! Kami: I would love the opportunity to speak with the top queens if that's alright. Just plead my case a bit. Sue: That would be nice for me as well. 🏁Sue CF: I want to prove to the top queens this week that I deserve to be here. I regret letting Anthyy take over for the poster. But a lot of the love that the characters got, I helped with that. This isn't my time to go, I know it isn't. Whorechata: Alright, let's chat! Kami talks with Whorechata and mentions their connection to Season Five, and how she wants to represent for that. She shares that during Season Five, she felt like she was overshadowed by Moof, and unable to really stand on her own as a strong competitor. Being in the bottom made her realize how badly she wants this, and moving forward, she's dedicated to giving everything she has to this competition Sue talks with Wren and Wren says that she thought Sue would've been in the top this week. Wren tells Sue that her heart is being pulled in two different directions. While she's gotten close with Kami, she can't overlook her long friendship with Sue. Sue tells Wren that she stands by what she did in the challenge, and wishes she took more responsibility for her contributions while the top and bottom queens deliberate, Anthyy and Morgs chat by the touch up mirrors Anthyy: Honestly, I'm over it. Morgs: Oh no, over what? Anthyy: I feel like I need to leave maybe. The way Wren made me feel during the challenge, and saying we weren't doing enough. 🏁Anthyy CF: When we were working on the challenge, Wren said multiple times that she didn't think Morgs and I were doing enough. And to me, that felt like a really shady way of ganging up on us to make sure none of the praise for the challenge got shown to us. I felt myself getting closer with Wren, but her questioning my work ethic, it really broke me. Morgs: You can't leave. You're doing too well. Anthyy: I didn't come here to deal with all this stress. I came here to win, and the pressure is eating away at me. And now for someone to be coming after me, I can't do it anymore. 🏁Morgs CF: Losing Anthyy isn't an option right now. She's the closest person I have here, and I know that she would regret leaving. That's my girl, I need to make sure she's alright. Morgs: I will cry if you go home, and you don't want to make me cry. Anthyy: No, I don't want that! I know I need to fight through this, but it's really hard. I'm not sure what I'll do. the queens return to the runway Micro: Welcome back queens! Will the top two queens of the week please step forward. Whorechata Lipsync Look Wren Lipsync Look Micro: Prior to tonight, you were asked to prepare a lipsync performance of "Die Young" by Kesha. https://youtu.be/NOubzHCUt48 Micro: This is your chance to impress me, and earn the right to give one of the bottom queens...the chop. 🏁Whorechata CF: Little do they know, I put pockets all up in here. Give me all the lipsticks, send 'em all home! 🏁Wren CF: Oh bitch, I'm ready for this! I need to give these girls a few lessons. Micro: Good luck, and don't fuck it up! Read the lipsync here! Micro: Well, that was something! I've made my decision. ... ... Micro: Wren Wyvern. You're a winner, baby! 🏁Wren CF: I did it!! If you asked me how I felt a few hours ago, I would've said that I was questioning my place here. But this little taste of victory, it snapped me right back into place. Micro: Whorechata. You are safe to slay another day. You may step to the back of the stage. Whorechata: Safe, of course. Smile through the pain, smile through the pain. Micro: You may step to the back of the stage. Whorechata: I mean, I could. But what if I stood here? Would I be a winner. Micro: ...no. No, you would not. Whorechata: Shh, no more words. Micro: Now, will the bottom queens please step forward. Kami and Sue step to the front of the stage with shaky hands Micro: I won't lie, this sucks. Both of you are such special queens in this competition. Wren. With great power comes great responsibility. Wren: Ugh, this is the worst part. Micro: Which queen have you chosen...to get the chop? Wren: Ultimately I believe with one of you I would not be in the top and you were such a joy to have on our team and you did a lot of the conceptualizing. I am not about to have my Bebe Zahara Benet moment so the person I have chosen is… ... ... Wren: Kami. Wren's Lipstick Choice Kami smiles and wipes away a tear as Micro and the other queens get emotional Wren: I'm so sorry. Kami: It's all good, I promise! 🏁Kami CF: I wanted this. I wanted this so bad. But I'm leaving this competition as a better queen than I was when I walked in. Seeing people believe in me gave me permission to believe in myself. My time will come. Micro: Kami. You are one of the kindest, genuine, and most talented queens to ever grace this stage. Kami: I appreciate that more than I can say. It might not have ended the way I wanted, but I'm forever grateful for this experience. Micro: Sadly, I must ask you to sashay away. Kami walks to the back of the stage as Anthyy leads a crowd of queens up on stage to embrace Kami before she leaves Kami: Love you all. Until we meet again! Micro: Whew. Congratulations to the nine of you for making it through another week. I know I get all "whaaaa" and a little "oh my damn" at these eliminations, but this one hit different. And they're only getting harder each week. Keep up the great work, and let the music play! "Banjo" by Bebe Zahara Benet plays Next Time on Micro's Drag Race: All Stars Micro: Get ready for the buffoonery, riggory, and tomfoolery of "Robbed: The Musical!". Anthyy: I don't know if I can do this anymore. It's all too much. 🏁Wren CF: The competition is being flipped on its head. Things can change so quickly. Track Record Cast Shot w/ Placements |
2023.06.04 16:36 SepticSauces Trouble Maker: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch! [11]
A special thank you to the amazing u/SpacePaladin15 for this fun world.
A thank you u/ImaginationSea3679 y u/Acceptable_Egg5560 for helping me with plot stuff.
Sunday Time!
I had to rewrite this chapter because the other version was stupid.
[Prologue][Previous][Next]
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Memory Transcription Subject: Exchange Program Member, Arwen Conway
Date [standardized human time]: August 30th, 2136.
Earth, Earth hadn’t changed much in the last eight days I’ve been gone. I was glad for that simple fact. A part of me missed the lighter gravity, and I was hoping to happily see my family in a similar state. We had exchanged a few messages, but it was mostly to make sure I was safe. I felt safe-ish for the most part. Trivi ensured exterminators stayed off my back for the most part. There was one minor altercation in which I was accused of having hypnotic powers by getting three venlil to want to go to Earth, but Trivi and Tova shot that down quickly.
Now, how do I explain the fact that I am bringing home three guests other than ‘venlil curious about Earth,’ or is that enough? Maybe I should tell the truth regarding Quilix and Tova…
With how well I knew my father, I’d assume him to be pissed off, and my mother wouldn’t be happy as well; Quilix viewed me as a sexual object before a friend, Tova shouted at, clawed, and kicked me, yet Trivi was pretty decent. Well, he did point a flamethrower at me when we first met on the 22nd, but my father and mother didn’t need to hear that final part.
Quilix, Tova, and Trivi sat nearby on the train looking around with a mixture of nervousness, awkwardness, fear, and plenty of other emotions. Each one possesses the respective emotions; Quilix seemed really anxious or nervous about going to the ranch, Tova appeared awkward from all the stares, and Trivi was trying to hide in my jacket. I mean, he couldn’t fit in my jacket, but he was giving a damn good go at it.
“Your eyes are nice Arwen, but this.” He quietly gestured to the rest of the train cart, waving a paw toward the other humans. “Just… too many eyes. I feel scared.”
My lips curled up into a smile. A smile that no longer made the exterminator flinch. I reached down and stroked the speep’s head, pressing his chin deeper into my cleavage. A small move that wasn’t on purpose and made both of us blush, but neither of us pulled away. “Aww, is my big, strong exterminator afraid of a few humans?~” It was impossible not to tease him. Especially when his tail gave an annoyed flick!
“Gah, I can see why Tova referred to you lot as troublemakers. A bit much, but hmph!” He huffed, wrapping his paws around me, and try to pull himself closer to me. My hand resumed its petting, stroking down the venlil’s ears. A rumble eventually revved from his throat and he quietly buried himself into my bosom.
Aww.
My uncovered face took a glance upwards, eyeing up the venlil couple that sat in the seat in front of us. I was honestly impressed with how they took my hair. Tova accepted it with ease, but Quilix fainted much to my surprise. Though, it may have been my fault for accidentally splashing my hair into his face when he got closer to take a closer look. The long, wavy strands covering much of his face for the briefest moment before he hit the ground. It was amusing a little bit later though. It gave us something to talk about on the shuttle to Earth.
The venlil couple sat close together physically but emotionally looked far apart. They may have been thigh to thigh, with Quilix hopefully looking up at his mate with the occasional glance between sketching, but Tova was doing her best to look anywhere but her mate. Every small attempt Quilix had made that I knew to be a venlil courting attempt was shot down; leaning into, snuggling, intertwining tails, and so forth were met with apathetic responses.
Honestly, I couldn’t blame Tova, for if my partner had pulled what Quilix had done, I would have acted very similarly: Disdain for the aforementioned imaginary individual would probably be the biggest emotion!
They went to speak with their parents, and well… As racist as Quilix’s parents were to Tova. They’d rather Quilix and Tova both die than break up or well, that’s how the pair made it sound. Tova’s mother was the same way, but not racist.
I do not understand that logic in the fucking slightest, but honestly, I’m just glad I didn’t see that talk. Imagine being a fly on that wall. “You weren’t supposed to mate him, but now you’re mates, so you better be mates and make us some pups,” or something along those lines. ‘Tis what Quilix’s parents said and Tova’s mother was more along the lines of just no breaking up.
Again, thank God I wasn’t there.
“So, how are you two holding up?”
Unlike the first time when they saw my red hair, they did not freak out when their eyes turned to me.
“A little nervous,” Quilix admitted, rubbing his two paws up and down his thighs. Again, he cast a glance up at Tova, who ignored the look. This went on for a couple of seconds before his gaze lethargicly returned to his sketchbook. Again, I couldn’t really blame her.
“Agreed, but if I must admit. I expected humans to be… bigger.” A little funny thing I haven’t told Tova yet was that she was around the average height for a male in England. A little bit shy of it, but still very close to it. Meanwhile, females were around 5’3”, so, of course, she’d be taller than a lot of the women! “Oh, and the gravity is lower! Did you see my jumper earlier?”
Tova was referring to her jump the second they touched down, and to put it bluntly, she launched herself two-point-five meters into the air.
TWO-POINT-FIVE METERS!
My eyes were unable to control themselves and I spared a quick glance down at Tova’s legs. To be more specific, those meaty thighs that she possessed. If they were hollowed out and given just a smidge of stretch, I could probably fit one of them around my waist. I was lucky I was rolling away from Tova when she went for that kick, she probably could have cracked a rib if it was perfectly landed.
Jesus, she could break a person in half with those thighs.
To think Quilix’s scene required me to ‘beat’ the exterminator that had eight inches of height on me, actual ‘military’ training, knew how to wield a fucking sword, and probably had more weight in her legs than I had altogether. Yeah, that would have looked really goofy.
Heh, not that I am complaining.~
My eyes would quickly lower themselves down farther, giving a small glance down to the top of Trivi’s head. The blonde venlil firmly snuggled up into me, revving with content.
I wonder if Trivi would like to join that…
My eyes didn’t linger too long, rising back up and turning somewhat to the left, staring out the window as the train ventured across the border to Wales. The landscape having turned to light green hills a long time ago. “I saw it. Quite impressive, though, you did scare quite a few people when you did that?”
“I did?”
Tova may have not really been self-aware, so mentally absorbed in the fact that Earth had less gravity than Venlil Prime. This was something she was talking about for ten minutes straight after we landed in London’s spaceport.
“Yeah, and you almost clunked your head on the roof too.” The venlil’s face managed to turn a shade of orange despite her void-colored flesh. Her ears folding down in embarrassment when giggles escaped from the rest of us. It was honestly kind of impressive to see the muscular venlil go from giddy with excitement to tepidly shaking with chagrin.
“So…” I glanced down at Trivi, who whispered up to me quietly. “Are we going to tell Tova and Quilix the change of plans now, a little bit later, are you going to put them through a day, or are we going through the full thing?” His tone was quiet, barely even a whisper when those last few words got out. I had to tilt my head down into his ear so I could hear what he was saying.
“Option three,” I say, pulling Trivi up onto my lap, wrapping my forearms around his waist to pull him closer. My chin resting atop his wooly head. “Gaaah, I can’t get over how cute you are.” Trivi wasn’t complaining, resuming the quiet, but now louder rumble that came from his chest and throat.
“You two seem to have gotten close,” Quilix observed, taking his eyes off his little drawing book. A half-finished sketch of a pigeon in flight was on the current page. The line art was a little bit rough, but since it was the first pigeon he ever saw, it was to be expected.
“Humans like touching and holding things. Trivi is adorable, nice to me, and tries to be understanding of me. I like that. Meanwhile, he likes me, so all is well.” One of my hands manages to snake its way between me and the male, finding the underside of his chin before administering some scritches!
It was a personal weak spot of his that I managed to find that other day. He went completely slack within my arms the second my nails scraped the underside of his jaw. The rumbling growing in intensity to the point that it was more than audible.
“Well, I mean… mate-like close.”
Oh… Oh!
It was hard not to feel Trivi and my body tense up at the accusation. “We’re not mates,” Trivi clarified. “Just really good friends,” he continued, resuming his slackening posture as the scritches started up again.
I couldn’t help but notice the other two venlil stopped doing what they were doing to watch me scratch Trivi’s chin.
You can pet them when they make it up to you. Just. Resist. For. Now.
But I must pet them!
Resist Arwen! Resist the urge!
“Anywaaays,” I drag on with a growing smile, trying to switch to a new conversation. “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch isn’t-” I wasn’t able to complete my statement because Trivi immediately sat firmly up on my lap, shooting me with a very befuddled look. Tova was equally baffled and Quilix looked like I just made up the name on the spot. It was hard to suppress my smile.
“The speh?” Trivi tilted his head to the side. “I thought you said it was Llanfair… Llanfair… Speh, however, you say that place’s name, but that??? What the speh is Saint Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the red cave. They should have their town name fixed! That’s absurd and long! How the speh did you say that!?”
Ooo? That translated? I don’t recall the shortened variant translated
I roll my eyes playfully and pull Trivi back down to my chest. “Relax you three. If you will just give me a chance to explain. Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, as I will refer to it for the most part since it is much easier to say. It had its name elongated to attract tourists about a hundred-fifty years ago or something along those lines. It was dedicated to a church of St. Mary, but that’s the extent of my knowledge. It’s really just a silly name for attracting tourists.”
The three were still giving me a mixture of befuddlement and bafflement, but I couldn’t blame them. Llanfairgwllgwyngyll was just an extremely long and absurd name. I frankly had to agree.
My hand traveled behind the back of Trivi’s ears, digging my nails in once again before moving them up and down, making the male melt once again. “We should be there soon enough. Once there, I will take you to meet my parents and meet the Wellingtons a few kilometers out of town. Obviously, drop off my stuff back home before we meet the Wellingtons.” I made a quick gesture to the large, heavy box between the four of us. “Sound good?”
Quilix and Tova both nodded, and Trivi just snuggled deeper into me.
“That sounds fair,” Tova was the one to speak up.
I lean back into my chair and close my eyes. My arms pull Trivi in for another hug. Hopefully, they remember to wake me up when we reach Llanfairgwllgwyngyll. It should be a few more hours.
I honestly can’t wait to be home.
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[Prologue][Previous][Next]
Heavily inspired by the likes of…
Pack Bonding
Foundations of Humanity
Mixed Signals (NSFW)
And I snuck in some lingo from Nature of Humanity
Don't Look A Human In The Eye
I highly suggest you check them out!!
A bit of a shorter chapter, but that's because I didn't start writing this until Friday.
submitted by SepticSauces to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]
A thank you u/ImaginationSea3679 y u/Acceptable_Egg5560 for helping me with plot stuff.
Sunday Time!
I had to rewrite this chapter because the other version was stupid.
[Prologue][Previous][Next]
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Memory Transcription Subject: Exchange Program Member, Arwen Conway
Date [standardized human time]: August 30th, 2136.
Earth, Earth hadn’t changed much in the last eight days I’ve been gone. I was glad for that simple fact. A part of me missed the lighter gravity, and I was hoping to happily see my family in a similar state. We had exchanged a few messages, but it was mostly to make sure I was safe. I felt safe-ish for the most part. Trivi ensured exterminators stayed off my back for the most part. There was one minor altercation in which I was accused of having hypnotic powers by getting three venlil to want to go to Earth, but Trivi and Tova shot that down quickly.
Now, how do I explain the fact that I am bringing home three guests other than ‘venlil curious about Earth,’ or is that enough? Maybe I should tell the truth regarding Quilix and Tova…
With how well I knew my father, I’d assume him to be pissed off, and my mother wouldn’t be happy as well; Quilix viewed me as a sexual object before a friend, Tova shouted at, clawed, and kicked me, yet Trivi was pretty decent. Well, he did point a flamethrower at me when we first met on the 22nd, but my father and mother didn’t need to hear that final part.
Quilix, Tova, and Trivi sat nearby on the train looking around with a mixture of nervousness, awkwardness, fear, and plenty of other emotions. Each one possesses the respective emotions; Quilix seemed really anxious or nervous about going to the ranch, Tova appeared awkward from all the stares, and Trivi was trying to hide in my jacket. I mean, he couldn’t fit in my jacket, but he was giving a damn good go at it.
“Your eyes are nice Arwen, but this.” He quietly gestured to the rest of the train cart, waving a paw toward the other humans. “Just… too many eyes. I feel scared.”
My lips curled up into a smile. A smile that no longer made the exterminator flinch. I reached down and stroked the speep’s head, pressing his chin deeper into my cleavage. A small move that wasn’t on purpose and made both of us blush, but neither of us pulled away. “Aww, is my big, strong exterminator afraid of a few humans?~” It was impossible not to tease him. Especially when his tail gave an annoyed flick!
“Gah, I can see why Tova referred to you lot as troublemakers. A bit much, but hmph!” He huffed, wrapping his paws around me, and try to pull himself closer to me. My hand resumed its petting, stroking down the venlil’s ears. A rumble eventually revved from his throat and he quietly buried himself into my bosom.
Aww.
My uncovered face took a glance upwards, eyeing up the venlil couple that sat in the seat in front of us. I was honestly impressed with how they took my hair. Tova accepted it with ease, but Quilix fainted much to my surprise. Though, it may have been my fault for accidentally splashing my hair into his face when he got closer to take a closer look. The long, wavy strands covering much of his face for the briefest moment before he hit the ground. It was amusing a little bit later though. It gave us something to talk about on the shuttle to Earth.
The venlil couple sat close together physically but emotionally looked far apart. They may have been thigh to thigh, with Quilix hopefully looking up at his mate with the occasional glance between sketching, but Tova was doing her best to look anywhere but her mate. Every small attempt Quilix had made that I knew to be a venlil courting attempt was shot down; leaning into, snuggling, intertwining tails, and so forth were met with apathetic responses.
Honestly, I couldn’t blame Tova, for if my partner had pulled what Quilix had done, I would have acted very similarly: Disdain for the aforementioned imaginary individual would probably be the biggest emotion!
They went to speak with their parents, and well… As racist as Quilix’s parents were to Tova. They’d rather Quilix and Tova both die than break up or well, that’s how the pair made it sound. Tova’s mother was the same way, but not racist.
I do not understand that logic in the fucking slightest, but honestly, I’m just glad I didn’t see that talk. Imagine being a fly on that wall. “You weren’t supposed to mate him, but now you’re mates, so you better be mates and make us some pups,” or something along those lines. ‘Tis what Quilix’s parents said and Tova’s mother was more along the lines of just no breaking up.
Again, thank God I wasn’t there.
“So, how are you two holding up?”
Unlike the first time when they saw my red hair, they did not freak out when their eyes turned to me.
“A little nervous,” Quilix admitted, rubbing his two paws up and down his thighs. Again, he cast a glance up at Tova, who ignored the look. This went on for a couple of seconds before his gaze lethargicly returned to his sketchbook. Again, I couldn’t really blame her.
“Agreed, but if I must admit. I expected humans to be… bigger.” A little funny thing I haven’t told Tova yet was that she was around the average height for a male in England. A little bit shy of it, but still very close to it. Meanwhile, females were around 5’3”, so, of course, she’d be taller than a lot of the women! “Oh, and the gravity is lower! Did you see my jumper earlier?”
Tova was referring to her jump the second they touched down, and to put it bluntly, she launched herself two-point-five meters into the air.
TWO-POINT-FIVE METERS!
My eyes were unable to control themselves and I spared a quick glance down at Tova’s legs. To be more specific, those meaty thighs that she possessed. If they were hollowed out and given just a smidge of stretch, I could probably fit one of them around my waist. I was lucky I was rolling away from Tova when she went for that kick, she probably could have cracked a rib if it was perfectly landed.
Jesus, she could break a person in half with those thighs.
To think Quilix’s scene required me to ‘beat’ the exterminator that had eight inches of height on me, actual ‘military’ training, knew how to wield a fucking sword, and probably had more weight in her legs than I had altogether. Yeah, that would have looked really goofy.
Heh, not that I am complaining.~
My eyes would quickly lower themselves down farther, giving a small glance down to the top of Trivi’s head. The blonde venlil firmly snuggled up into me, revving with content.
I wonder if Trivi would like to join that…
My eyes didn’t linger too long, rising back up and turning somewhat to the left, staring out the window as the train ventured across the border to Wales. The landscape having turned to light green hills a long time ago. “I saw it. Quite impressive, though, you did scare quite a few people when you did that?”
“I did?”
Tova may have not really been self-aware, so mentally absorbed in the fact that Earth had less gravity than Venlil Prime. This was something she was talking about for ten minutes straight after we landed in London’s spaceport.
“Yeah, and you almost clunked your head on the roof too.” The venlil’s face managed to turn a shade of orange despite her void-colored flesh. Her ears folding down in embarrassment when giggles escaped from the rest of us. It was honestly kind of impressive to see the muscular venlil go from giddy with excitement to tepidly shaking with chagrin.
“So…” I glanced down at Trivi, who whispered up to me quietly. “Are we going to tell Tova and Quilix the change of plans now, a little bit later, are you going to put them through a day, or are we going through the full thing?” His tone was quiet, barely even a whisper when those last few words got out. I had to tilt my head down into his ear so I could hear what he was saying.
“Option three,” I say, pulling Trivi up onto my lap, wrapping my forearms around his waist to pull him closer. My chin resting atop his wooly head. “Gaaah, I can’t get over how cute you are.” Trivi wasn’t complaining, resuming the quiet, but now louder rumble that came from his chest and throat.
“You two seem to have gotten close,” Quilix observed, taking his eyes off his little drawing book. A half-finished sketch of a pigeon in flight was on the current page. The line art was a little bit rough, but since it was the first pigeon he ever saw, it was to be expected.
“Humans like touching and holding things. Trivi is adorable, nice to me, and tries to be understanding of me. I like that. Meanwhile, he likes me, so all is well.” One of my hands manages to snake its way between me and the male, finding the underside of his chin before administering some scritches!
It was a personal weak spot of his that I managed to find that other day. He went completely slack within my arms the second my nails scraped the underside of his jaw. The rumbling growing in intensity to the point that it was more than audible.
“Well, I mean… mate-like close.”
Oh… Oh!
It was hard not to feel Trivi and my body tense up at the accusation. “We’re not mates,” Trivi clarified. “Just really good friends,” he continued, resuming his slackening posture as the scritches started up again.
I couldn’t help but notice the other two venlil stopped doing what they were doing to watch me scratch Trivi’s chin.
You can pet them when they make it up to you. Just. Resist. For. Now.
But I must pet them!
Resist Arwen! Resist the urge!
“Anywaaays,” I drag on with a growing smile, trying to switch to a new conversation. “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch isn’t-” I wasn’t able to complete my statement because Trivi immediately sat firmly up on my lap, shooting me with a very befuddled look. Tova was equally baffled and Quilix looked like I just made up the name on the spot. It was hard to suppress my smile.
“The speh?” Trivi tilted his head to the side. “I thought you said it was Llanfair… Llanfair… Speh, however, you say that place’s name, but that??? What the speh is Saint Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the red cave. They should have their town name fixed! That’s absurd and long! How the speh did you say that!?”
Ooo? That translated? I don’t recall the shortened variant translated
I roll my eyes playfully and pull Trivi back down to my chest. “Relax you three. If you will just give me a chance to explain. Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, as I will refer to it for the most part since it is much easier to say. It had its name elongated to attract tourists about a hundred-fifty years ago or something along those lines. It was dedicated to a church of St. Mary, but that’s the extent of my knowledge. It’s really just a silly name for attracting tourists.”
The three were still giving me a mixture of befuddlement and bafflement, but I couldn’t blame them. Llanfairgwllgwyngyll was just an extremely long and absurd name. I frankly had to agree.
My hand traveled behind the back of Trivi’s ears, digging my nails in once again before moving them up and down, making the male melt once again. “We should be there soon enough. Once there, I will take you to meet my parents and meet the Wellingtons a few kilometers out of town. Obviously, drop off my stuff back home before we meet the Wellingtons.” I made a quick gesture to the large, heavy box between the four of us. “Sound good?”
Quilix and Tova both nodded, and Trivi just snuggled deeper into me.
“That sounds fair,” Tova was the one to speak up.
I lean back into my chair and close my eyes. My arms pull Trivi in for another hug. Hopefully, they remember to wake me up when we reach Llanfairgwllgwyngyll. It should be a few more hours.
I honestly can’t wait to be home.
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[Prologue][Previous][Next]
Heavily inspired by the likes of…
Pack Bonding
Foundations of Humanity
Mixed Signals (NSFW)
And I snuck in some lingo from Nature of Humanity
Don't Look A Human In The Eye
I highly suggest you check them out!!
A bit of a shorter chapter, but that's because I didn't start writing this until Friday.
2023.06.04 16:30 Big-Research-2875 Leishmania and it's life cycle
Leishmania
Leishmania ar protozoan parasites that comprise the category. This parasite causes a vector-borne malady referred to as leishmaniosis and it's transmitted through bites of infected sandflies.Leishmania and it's life cycle
Primary forms
The malady leishmaniosis has 3 primary forms specifically visceral (most fatal form), cutaneal (most common form) and body covering. The parasite flagellated protozoan is thought to measure and multiply within a feminine gnat.kala-azar
The visceral flagellated protozoan, additionally referred to as the kala-azar, is that the most fatal and causes anaemia, weight loss, irregular periods of fever and enlargement of spleen and liver.Cutaneal flagellated protozoan
The cutaneal flagellated protozoan is that the most typical one and causes ulcers, skin injury that results in future scars.Effect on the host
The body covering flagellated protozoan causes complete or incomplete destruction of secretion membranes within the nose, throat and mouth. Thus, we have a tendency to see however totally different varieties of flagellated protozoan parasites have an effect on the host in several ways that.2023.06.04 16:26 bailey-c-baker234 Bwoo: A story between an ogre and his fluffy companion [Chapter 2, Part I: Witch]
As darkened clouds loomed overhead, lightning tore through the sky, illuminating the dark forest with a brilliant burst of light. The crackling energy split the heavens, casting jagged veins of illumination across the landscape. The resounding BOOM that followed reverberated through the air, shaking the very foundation of Cornelia's cozy cabin. Inside, she reclined in her plush chair, enveloped in its welcoming embrace. A soft, crackling warmth emanated from the fireplace, casting a gentle glow that bathed the room in a comforting radiance. She sighed contentedly, the flickering flames casting dancing shadows on the walls, as if they were performers in a mesmerizing show.
"A good sign, isn't that right, Wendy?" Cornelia whispered, her voice a delicate murmur filled with reassurance and affection.
“Wendy wike wain,” said Wendy, with her lustrous ebony-colored fluff, nestled against Cornelia's stomach, her presence a velvety touch against her skin. The room filled with a soft, contented humming as Wendy expressed her happiness.
Cornelia smiled as her pale fingers traced gentle paths along Wendy's back, their movements a tender caress. Her gaze drifted to the window, where nature orchestrated a symphony of raindrops cascading against the glass. Each droplet carried its own rhythm, harmonizing with the crackling fire to create a symphony of soothing melodies.
As Cornelia admired Wendy, a sense of curiosity began to blossom within her. Were there other fluffies out there with the same unique hue? Elves and wealthy humans often boasted vibrant and diverse-colored fluffies in their care, while the "street-rat" fluffies that roamed alleyways possessed more muted variations. Yet, Wendy's fur was a rarity—pure black that held an air of mystique.
Whispers had spread among the villages, snaking through ears and fuelling imaginations. Tales, distorted and embellished, spoke of a sinister pact between Cornelia and the Demon Vlae. In their twisted narratives, the villagers claimed that the evil spirit-lord resided within Wendy, bestowing upon her the cloak of inky blackness.
Cornelia knew these rumours to be falsehoods, mere figments of overactive imaginations, but that did little to quell the villagers' misguided intentions. Not wanting the villagers to burn her at the stake, Cornelia made a deliberate choice to slip away into the embrace of the ancient woods. There, among the towering sentinels of bark and the rustling tapestry of fallen leaves, she sought solace and a life of peace with Wendy.
Just as Cornelia and Wendy began to settle into a tranquil nap, an insistent knocking on the cabin door shattered the serene atmosphere. The abrupt interruption stirred them from their drowsy state, pulling them back into the realm of uncertainty and peril.
Ygor knocked on the door with the force of a strong but controlled thunder. The heavy wooden door swung open by itself, revealing a flaming shadow with crimson eyes that glare into his very soul.
“You do not disturb a witch’s nap you...” scowled Cornelia but she paused upon seeing a sad yet familiar ogre standing before her.
In the ogre's hands, cradled gently like a fragile treasure, was an injured blue fluffy curled up into a ball. The fluffy's delicate hooves pressed against her belly as she whimpered in pain, her soft cries filling the air with a heart-wrenching melody. The scent of fear and desperation clung to her, mingling with the damp earthiness that permeated the cabin.
Cornelia's piercing gaze softened, her eyes lingering on the wounded blue fluffy nestled in Ygor's hands. The dancing flames of the crackling fireplace painted shifting shadows on her face, accentuating the genuine concern etched across her soft features.
“Ygor?” asked Cornelia, her voice a gentle murmur that wrapped around the room.
“Ygor need help, widdle fluffy hurt” replied Ygor, his voice filled with a mix of deep worry and desperation.
"Bring her inside," Cornelia replied, stepping aside and waited for the giant ogre to enter her home. "Don't worry, the cabin is bigger on the inside," she reassured him, her words imbued with a touch of enchantment.
Ygor carefully stepped into the cabin, his massive form casting long shadows against the sturdy wooden walls. Inside, he found himself awestruck by the magic in the cabin. The air is alive with ethereal energy, a tangible testament to Cornelia's formidable abilities.
With deliberate grace, Ygor approached Cornelia, his every movement infused with cautious tenderness. The crackling flames of the fireplace cast a soft, golden glow that danced and flickered, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadows across the room.
Cornelia placed a soft, crimson blanket on the smooth surface of the wooden table, its vibrant hue contrasting against the rustic backdrop of the cabin. Cornelia's voice resonated with warmth and reassurance as she spoke; her words carrying the echoes of countless months spent mastering witchcraft.
"It's one of the first spells I had to learn as a witch, so don't worry about trying to fit in," Cornelia assured Ygor, her tone comforting like a soft caress.
"Now, tell me what happened," Cornelia gently prompted, her voice a melodic invitation to share their burdens.
Her empathetic eyes fixed upon Ygor and the poor fluffy, eagerly awaiting their tale of woe. The fire crackled and the raindrops tapped against the window, forming a soothing symphony that seemed to draw the elements closer, eager to listen and offer solace.
“Ygor fed fwuffy raw meat, now fwuffy tummy hurts,” Ygor explained.
“wed’ meat? Fwuffies nu’ eat wed’ meat” Wendy exclaimed, her eyes widened with fear and confusion.
“Put her on the table!” Cornelia's command sliced through the air, her voice resonating with authority as she directed Ygor to carefully place the injured fluffy on the plush red blanket that adorned the sturdy wooden table.
With eager determination, Wendy scurried towards Cornelia. The little fluffy snatched a flask from a nearby shelf. The green liquid concocted from the nearby river and the roots of an ancient tree glowed inside the flask. The aromatic scent of the potion wafted through the air, mingling with the comforting aroma of burning wood. Ygor's sensitive nose caught a hint of bones in the fragrance, causing him to raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Ygor smell bones” said Ygor upon picking up a strange scent coming from the flask.
"It's just the potion, Ygor. You can sit near the bookshelf; I'll handle this," reassured Cornelia as she guided Ygor to a seat beside the collection of well-worn tomes. His heavy footsteps resonated against the wooden floor, creating a gentle vibration that shook the nearby furniture.
Meanwhile, Wendy, her ebony-colored fluff rustling with each hurried step, made her way to the kitchen. The soft tapping of her little legs echoed through the cabin, the sound blending with the crackling fire and the rhythmic pitter-patter of rain against the window. Guided by Cornelia's request, Wendy retrieved a bowl of ash and garlic, their distinct scents mingling in the air, creating a heady mixture of earthiness and protection.
Cornelia's hands moved with practiced precision, like a knife gliding through the cloves of garlic as if guided by an invisible force. With each expert stroke, the pungent aroma of freshly cut garlic permeated the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the wooden table.
Once the garlic lay in neat, small pieces, Cornelia turned her attention to the bowl. She poured the green liquid into its depths, a shimmering cascade that glimmered like emerald flames. As the liquid settled, Cornelia's voice hummed with an incantation, her words carrying the weight of ancient knowledge and power.
In an instant, a flicker of green fire sprang to life, dancing atop the surface of the liquid. Its ethereal glow cast a surreal illumination, transforming the ordinary bowl into a vessel of enchantment. Shadows flickered and played upon the cabin walls, as if the very room had become a stage for magic itself.
Ygor's gaze locked onto Blue, his eyes filled with concern as he witnessed her unconscious. Despite her silent state, his sensitive ears detected faint, almost imperceptible whimpering that tugged at his heartstrings.
In a mesmerizing display of magic, a radiant golden light took the form of Cornelia's hand, delicately reaching towards the green flame. As her hand made contact, a breathtaking transformation ensued. The liquid within the bowl seemed to defy gravity, soaring out of its confines with graceful fluidity. It floated in the air, suspended like a glistening bubble, casting an iridescent glow that bathed the cabin in a surreal radiance.
The floating liquid became a canvas for the dancing and shimmering golden light, which traced intricate patterns written in the runes of magic. With every subtle movement and shift, the elixir responded, guided by Cornelia's hand, as if it were alive. The soft, ethereal hum resonated through the cabin, its gentle vibrations filling the air and contributing to the enchanting atmosphere that enveloped the space.
Ygor's eyes widened in awe as he witnessed this captivating spectacle, his senses fully immersed in the enchantment unfolding before him. The delicate scent of the potion wafted through the air, an intoxicating blend of natural ingredients and mystical energies. It mingled with the comforting aroma of burning firewood, creating an olfactory tapestry that enveloped the room.
“Wemembeh’ jus’ one dwop o’ fwuffy fwend goes fowebah sweepies” Wendy reminded, her voice filled with caution and trepidation. The anticipation was palpable, causing her little legs to tremble with a mixture of anxiety and hope.
“I know, Wendy” Cornelia replied with concern. Slowly, with delicate precision, she reached out and began removing the intricately carved magic runes that encircled the floating bubble. Each rune dislodged weakened the magic, and the room seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
As the runes dissipated one by one, a single drop from the shimmering green bubble fell into Blue's mouth, like a droplet of life itself. In that fleeting moment, the magic took hold, invigorating her senses and drawing her back from the abyss of unconsciousness. Blue's eyes fluttered open, her vision initially blurry as she adjusted to the renewed world around her. Gradually, the fog lifted, revealing the figure of another fluffy sitting in front of her, a woman with a mysterious allure, half of her face veiled by a cascade of hair, and Ygor, the gentle ogre.
Blue wakes up, her vision blurry at first. When they cleared, she saw another fluffy sitting in front of her, a strange woman with half her face covered by her hair, and Ygor.
"Mommeh?" Blue's voice trembled with a mixture of longing and confusion, seeking comfort in the familiarity of a mother's embrace.
"No, sorry," Cornelia replied gently, her voice carrying a touch of sympathy. With great care, she cradled Blue in her hands, providing a sense of security and protection.
The cabin enveloped them in a cocoon of warmth and safety, shielding them from the world's uncertainties.
"Let's give you a bath before I return you to Ygor, is that okay?" Cornelia offered, her words laced with kindness and concern. Blue nodded, a silent agreement to the caring gesture that awaited her.
As Cornelia cradled Blue in her arms, Ygor's curious gaze wandered to the bookshelf, where a plush velvet tome caught his attention. With a gentle touch, he retrieved the book, feeling the smoothness of the fabric beneath his fingertips. Opening it, Ygor's eyes widened at the sight of a meticulously drawn map, its intricate details beckoning him into a world he's never seen before.
His gaze shifted to the strange numbers inscribed alongside the map, written in elegant script that danced across the aged parchment. Ygor traced the lines and deciphered the enigmatic message contained within.
"Two... tw-twenty-six degrees, twelve minutes, and forty-four seconds, N—No- no- north," Ygor read aloud, his voice filled with curiosity.
Cornelia emerged from the bath, her bare feet padding softly against the wooden floor, carrying Blue wrapped in a clean towel. Drops of water glistened upon her skin like scattered diamonds, reflecting the warm glow of the cabin's hearth. She approached Ygor, her presence radiating a sense of wisdom and familiarity.
"It seems you've improved since the last time I met you," Cornelia remarked, her voice carrying a tone of admiration.
The scent of lavender lingered in the air, intermingling with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed tea.
“Ygor been reading lots lately, collected many books” Ygor proudly proclaimed. The room resonated with the gentle rustling of pages, as each one whispered a tale of knowledge and discovery.
Gently placing Blue on the floor, Cornelia watched with fondness as the little fluffy’s hooves create a delicate patter against the wooden surface as she scurried towards Ygor. She then nuzzled against his massive leg, seeking solace and comfort. A warm smile graced Cornelia's lips.
"That's truly admirable," Cornelia remarked, her voice carrying a gentle cadence. The crackling fire painted flickering shadows upon the walls, enveloping the space in a comforting embrace. The scent of smoldering logs mingled with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, creating an enchanting symphony for the senses.
“Until the ‘metal people’ burnt them along with Ygor house” Ygor replied, his voice echoed with a touch of sorrow. The weight of his words hung in the air, mingling with the flickering shadows cast by the crackling flames.
"The metal people," Cornelia mused, her thoughts drifting to the relentless knights of The King. The weight of their armored presence pressed upon her mind, like a looming storm cloud on the horizon. The memory of their arrival, their steel-clad boots treading upon the sacred grounds of the Old World, sent shivers down her spine. Their presence had brought upheaval, disrupting the delicate balance of harmony and magic that once thrived.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Cornelia said, her voice laced with sincerity. "You can stay here as long as you need," she assured, her words offering solace and a sense of belonging amidst the uncertainty of the outside world.
“Thank you, Ygor will find new home soon,” Ygor replied. “By the way, Ygor find black fluffy interesting, never seen one before,” he remarked, pointing towards Wendy.
Cornelia followed his gaze, her eyes tracing the ebony contours of Wendy's fur. The contrast of darkness against light evoked a sense of curiosity and wonder.
“I saw her in an alley a couple of months ago while I was gathering ingredients,” Cornelia recalled as she adjusted her favorite chair, drawing it closer to Ygor's seat. Blue and Wendy sat side by side, their eyes filled with anticipation as they listen to the story Cornelia is about to tell.
--NOTE-- A drawing of Wendy
submitted by bailey-c-baker234 to fluffycommunity [link] [comments]
"A good sign, isn't that right, Wendy?" Cornelia whispered, her voice a delicate murmur filled with reassurance and affection.
“Wendy wike wain,” said Wendy, with her lustrous ebony-colored fluff, nestled against Cornelia's stomach, her presence a velvety touch against her skin. The room filled with a soft, contented humming as Wendy expressed her happiness.
Cornelia smiled as her pale fingers traced gentle paths along Wendy's back, their movements a tender caress. Her gaze drifted to the window, where nature orchestrated a symphony of raindrops cascading against the glass. Each droplet carried its own rhythm, harmonizing with the crackling fire to create a symphony of soothing melodies.
As Cornelia admired Wendy, a sense of curiosity began to blossom within her. Were there other fluffies out there with the same unique hue? Elves and wealthy humans often boasted vibrant and diverse-colored fluffies in their care, while the "street-rat" fluffies that roamed alleyways possessed more muted variations. Yet, Wendy's fur was a rarity—pure black that held an air of mystique.
Whispers had spread among the villages, snaking through ears and fuelling imaginations. Tales, distorted and embellished, spoke of a sinister pact between Cornelia and the Demon Vlae. In their twisted narratives, the villagers claimed that the evil spirit-lord resided within Wendy, bestowing upon her the cloak of inky blackness.
Cornelia knew these rumours to be falsehoods, mere figments of overactive imaginations, but that did little to quell the villagers' misguided intentions. Not wanting the villagers to burn her at the stake, Cornelia made a deliberate choice to slip away into the embrace of the ancient woods. There, among the towering sentinels of bark and the rustling tapestry of fallen leaves, she sought solace and a life of peace with Wendy.
Just as Cornelia and Wendy began to settle into a tranquil nap, an insistent knocking on the cabin door shattered the serene atmosphere. The abrupt interruption stirred them from their drowsy state, pulling them back into the realm of uncertainty and peril.
Ygor knocked on the door with the force of a strong but controlled thunder. The heavy wooden door swung open by itself, revealing a flaming shadow with crimson eyes that glare into his very soul.
“You do not disturb a witch’s nap you...” scowled Cornelia but she paused upon seeing a sad yet familiar ogre standing before her.
In the ogre's hands, cradled gently like a fragile treasure, was an injured blue fluffy curled up into a ball. The fluffy's delicate hooves pressed against her belly as she whimpered in pain, her soft cries filling the air with a heart-wrenching melody. The scent of fear and desperation clung to her, mingling with the damp earthiness that permeated the cabin.
Cornelia's piercing gaze softened, her eyes lingering on the wounded blue fluffy nestled in Ygor's hands. The dancing flames of the crackling fireplace painted shifting shadows on her face, accentuating the genuine concern etched across her soft features.
“Ygor?” asked Cornelia, her voice a gentle murmur that wrapped around the room.
“Ygor need help, widdle fluffy hurt” replied Ygor, his voice filled with a mix of deep worry and desperation.
"Bring her inside," Cornelia replied, stepping aside and waited for the giant ogre to enter her home. "Don't worry, the cabin is bigger on the inside," she reassured him, her words imbued with a touch of enchantment.
Ygor carefully stepped into the cabin, his massive form casting long shadows against the sturdy wooden walls. Inside, he found himself awestruck by the magic in the cabin. The air is alive with ethereal energy, a tangible testament to Cornelia's formidable abilities.
With deliberate grace, Ygor approached Cornelia, his every movement infused with cautious tenderness. The crackling flames of the fireplace cast a soft, golden glow that danced and flickered, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadows across the room.
Cornelia placed a soft, crimson blanket on the smooth surface of the wooden table, its vibrant hue contrasting against the rustic backdrop of the cabin. Cornelia's voice resonated with warmth and reassurance as she spoke; her words carrying the echoes of countless months spent mastering witchcraft.
"It's one of the first spells I had to learn as a witch, so don't worry about trying to fit in," Cornelia assured Ygor, her tone comforting like a soft caress.
"Now, tell me what happened," Cornelia gently prompted, her voice a melodic invitation to share their burdens.
Her empathetic eyes fixed upon Ygor and the poor fluffy, eagerly awaiting their tale of woe. The fire crackled and the raindrops tapped against the window, forming a soothing symphony that seemed to draw the elements closer, eager to listen and offer solace.
“Ygor fed fwuffy raw meat, now fwuffy tummy hurts,” Ygor explained.
“wed’ meat? Fwuffies nu’ eat wed’ meat” Wendy exclaimed, her eyes widened with fear and confusion.
“Put her on the table!” Cornelia's command sliced through the air, her voice resonating with authority as she directed Ygor to carefully place the injured fluffy on the plush red blanket that adorned the sturdy wooden table.
With eager determination, Wendy scurried towards Cornelia. The little fluffy snatched a flask from a nearby shelf. The green liquid concocted from the nearby river and the roots of an ancient tree glowed inside the flask. The aromatic scent of the potion wafted through the air, mingling with the comforting aroma of burning wood. Ygor's sensitive nose caught a hint of bones in the fragrance, causing him to raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Ygor smell bones” said Ygor upon picking up a strange scent coming from the flask.
"It's just the potion, Ygor. You can sit near the bookshelf; I'll handle this," reassured Cornelia as she guided Ygor to a seat beside the collection of well-worn tomes. His heavy footsteps resonated against the wooden floor, creating a gentle vibration that shook the nearby furniture.
Meanwhile, Wendy, her ebony-colored fluff rustling with each hurried step, made her way to the kitchen. The soft tapping of her little legs echoed through the cabin, the sound blending with the crackling fire and the rhythmic pitter-patter of rain against the window. Guided by Cornelia's request, Wendy retrieved a bowl of ash and garlic, their distinct scents mingling in the air, creating a heady mixture of earthiness and protection.
Cornelia's hands moved with practiced precision, like a knife gliding through the cloves of garlic as if guided by an invisible force. With each expert stroke, the pungent aroma of freshly cut garlic permeated the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the wooden table.
Once the garlic lay in neat, small pieces, Cornelia turned her attention to the bowl. She poured the green liquid into its depths, a shimmering cascade that glimmered like emerald flames. As the liquid settled, Cornelia's voice hummed with an incantation, her words carrying the weight of ancient knowledge and power.
In an instant, a flicker of green fire sprang to life, dancing atop the surface of the liquid. Its ethereal glow cast a surreal illumination, transforming the ordinary bowl into a vessel of enchantment. Shadows flickered and played upon the cabin walls, as if the very room had become a stage for magic itself.
Ygor's gaze locked onto Blue, his eyes filled with concern as he witnessed her unconscious. Despite her silent state, his sensitive ears detected faint, almost imperceptible whimpering that tugged at his heartstrings.
In a mesmerizing display of magic, a radiant golden light took the form of Cornelia's hand, delicately reaching towards the green flame. As her hand made contact, a breathtaking transformation ensued. The liquid within the bowl seemed to defy gravity, soaring out of its confines with graceful fluidity. It floated in the air, suspended like a glistening bubble, casting an iridescent glow that bathed the cabin in a surreal radiance.
The floating liquid became a canvas for the dancing and shimmering golden light, which traced intricate patterns written in the runes of magic. With every subtle movement and shift, the elixir responded, guided by Cornelia's hand, as if it were alive. The soft, ethereal hum resonated through the cabin, its gentle vibrations filling the air and contributing to the enchanting atmosphere that enveloped the space.
Ygor's eyes widened in awe as he witnessed this captivating spectacle, his senses fully immersed in the enchantment unfolding before him. The delicate scent of the potion wafted through the air, an intoxicating blend of natural ingredients and mystical energies. It mingled with the comforting aroma of burning firewood, creating an olfactory tapestry that enveloped the room.
“Wemembeh’ jus’ one dwop o’ fwuffy fwend goes fowebah sweepies” Wendy reminded, her voice filled with caution and trepidation. The anticipation was palpable, causing her little legs to tremble with a mixture of anxiety and hope.
“I know, Wendy” Cornelia replied with concern. Slowly, with delicate precision, she reached out and began removing the intricately carved magic runes that encircled the floating bubble. Each rune dislodged weakened the magic, and the room seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
As the runes dissipated one by one, a single drop from the shimmering green bubble fell into Blue's mouth, like a droplet of life itself. In that fleeting moment, the magic took hold, invigorating her senses and drawing her back from the abyss of unconsciousness. Blue's eyes fluttered open, her vision initially blurry as she adjusted to the renewed world around her. Gradually, the fog lifted, revealing the figure of another fluffy sitting in front of her, a woman with a mysterious allure, half of her face veiled by a cascade of hair, and Ygor, the gentle ogre.
Blue wakes up, her vision blurry at first. When they cleared, she saw another fluffy sitting in front of her, a strange woman with half her face covered by her hair, and Ygor.
"Mommeh?" Blue's voice trembled with a mixture of longing and confusion, seeking comfort in the familiarity of a mother's embrace.
"No, sorry," Cornelia replied gently, her voice carrying a touch of sympathy. With great care, she cradled Blue in her hands, providing a sense of security and protection.
The cabin enveloped them in a cocoon of warmth and safety, shielding them from the world's uncertainties.
"Let's give you a bath before I return you to Ygor, is that okay?" Cornelia offered, her words laced with kindness and concern. Blue nodded, a silent agreement to the caring gesture that awaited her.
As Cornelia cradled Blue in her arms, Ygor's curious gaze wandered to the bookshelf, where a plush velvet tome caught his attention. With a gentle touch, he retrieved the book, feeling the smoothness of the fabric beneath his fingertips. Opening it, Ygor's eyes widened at the sight of a meticulously drawn map, its intricate details beckoning him into a world he's never seen before.
His gaze shifted to the strange numbers inscribed alongside the map, written in elegant script that danced across the aged parchment. Ygor traced the lines and deciphered the enigmatic message contained within.
"Two... tw-twenty-six degrees, twelve minutes, and forty-four seconds, N—No- no- north," Ygor read aloud, his voice filled with curiosity.
Cornelia emerged from the bath, her bare feet padding softly against the wooden floor, carrying Blue wrapped in a clean towel. Drops of water glistened upon her skin like scattered diamonds, reflecting the warm glow of the cabin's hearth. She approached Ygor, her presence radiating a sense of wisdom and familiarity.
"It seems you've improved since the last time I met you," Cornelia remarked, her voice carrying a tone of admiration.
The scent of lavender lingered in the air, intermingling with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed tea.
“Ygor been reading lots lately, collected many books” Ygor proudly proclaimed. The room resonated with the gentle rustling of pages, as each one whispered a tale of knowledge and discovery.
Gently placing Blue on the floor, Cornelia watched with fondness as the little fluffy’s hooves create a delicate patter against the wooden surface as she scurried towards Ygor. She then nuzzled against his massive leg, seeking solace and comfort. A warm smile graced Cornelia's lips.
"That's truly admirable," Cornelia remarked, her voice carrying a gentle cadence. The crackling fire painted flickering shadows upon the walls, enveloping the space in a comforting embrace. The scent of smoldering logs mingled with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, creating an enchanting symphony for the senses.
“Until the ‘metal people’ burnt them along with Ygor house” Ygor replied, his voice echoed with a touch of sorrow. The weight of his words hung in the air, mingling with the flickering shadows cast by the crackling flames.
"The metal people," Cornelia mused, her thoughts drifting to the relentless knights of The King. The weight of their armored presence pressed upon her mind, like a looming storm cloud on the horizon. The memory of their arrival, their steel-clad boots treading upon the sacred grounds of the Old World, sent shivers down her spine. Their presence had brought upheaval, disrupting the delicate balance of harmony and magic that once thrived.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Cornelia said, her voice laced with sincerity. "You can stay here as long as you need," she assured, her words offering solace and a sense of belonging amidst the uncertainty of the outside world.
“Thank you, Ygor will find new home soon,” Ygor replied. “By the way, Ygor find black fluffy interesting, never seen one before,” he remarked, pointing towards Wendy.
Cornelia followed his gaze, her eyes tracing the ebony contours of Wendy's fur. The contrast of darkness against light evoked a sense of curiosity and wonder.
“I saw her in an alley a couple of months ago while I was gathering ingredients,” Cornelia recalled as she adjusted her favorite chair, drawing it closer to Ygor's seat. Blue and Wendy sat side by side, their eyes filled with anticipation as they listen to the story Cornelia is about to tell.
--NOTE-- A drawing of Wendy
2023.06.04 16:22 SecretiveDesires 25 [M4F] You clearly shouldn't. But what if you did?
Sometimes a relationship could be going just fine. And yet, it doesn't feel fulfilling. Everything could be perfect, but something feels missing. No matter how magical, every bond is bound to hit periods of stagnation. And that's where the intimacy dissipates. But it creates room for other things.
Other... thoughts, putting it lightly. A woman as sophisticated and loving as yourself could never imagine hurting your man. You would sacrifice your own happiness at times to ensure his. Which is why when you think of holding another manhood in your hand, it puts you in an uneasy spot.
You ache for that other massive member yet your reluctance holds you back. What if he finds out? Your mind then makes you picture wrapping your lips round that pole you've infatuation for. Maybe he won't find out? Your nose tingles, almost inhaling your lover's musk as it nuzzles your newfound shaft. You've drifted into wanton territory as the scent hits your brain, like a shark that's smelled blood in the water. He will not find out.
You swallow the lump in your throat as your eyes bear witness to the rubber-clad phallus throbbing in front of you. To think it all began from that one text you sent responding to this very ad you touched yourself to. Take your last glance at any semblance of resistance, or take this secret alongside me to your grave as you press "Start chat".
submitted by SecretiveDesires to PHr4Landi [link] [comments]
Other... thoughts, putting it lightly. A woman as sophisticated and loving as yourself could never imagine hurting your man. You would sacrifice your own happiness at times to ensure his. Which is why when you think of holding another manhood in your hand, it puts you in an uneasy spot.
You ache for that other massive member yet your reluctance holds you back. What if he finds out? Your mind then makes you picture wrapping your lips round that pole you've infatuation for. Maybe he won't find out? Your nose tingles, almost inhaling your lover's musk as it nuzzles your newfound shaft. You've drifted into wanton territory as the scent hits your brain, like a shark that's smelled blood in the water. He will not find out.
You swallow the lump in your throat as your eyes bear witness to the rubber-clad phallus throbbing in front of you. To think it all began from that one text you sent responding to this very ad you touched yourself to. Take your last glance at any semblance of resistance, or take this secret alongside me to your grave as you press "Start chat".
2023.06.04 16:04 Leading_Club5901 Help! Sore throat and ear pain won’t go away
Around two weeks ago I started suffering with a sore throat, ear pain and had a low grade fever. After going to the doctors, my strep, mono, and flu test results all came back negative but I was still treated with an antibacterial medicine. A couple days of being on the medicine and I thought it was helping. I woke up fine but a day After or two and my throat got worse. I didn’t have a fever anymore but I couldn’t speak and I had canker sores (or what I’m assuming are canker sores) all over my throat. I continued to take the medicine and waited it out which lead me to now. The last two days again I thought I was better. My throat looked normal again and I was feeling great but today I woke up again in pain with my throat and ear. As well as there is a red bump on the back of my throat and I’m unsure of what it is. It’s just one and fairly large. I know if you’re sick with a bacterial or virus it takes awhile to fully recover but I’m not sure if I am recovering at all. I tried googling potential issues but I’m not finding anything that could explain the red bump that’s on my throat as it’s just one bump. Obviously I shoul
submitted by Leading_Club5901 to medical [link] [comments]
2023.06.04 15:58 Elem3ntalSh00tingBee Your House
You opened the front door and welcomed me in with open arms
I collapsed into them and wept tears of joy
You hung your coat on the broken rack
I took off my shoes so as not to get your house dirty
You made me dinner
I ate it with glee
You refilled my cup
I drank every last drop
You washed the dishes
I placed them back into the drawers
You tucked me into bed with you and kissed me goodnight
I saw thy absence of Hell
You sheathed me in your armour of serenity
I slid inside deeper ever
You awoke me in the morning
I shed tears of relief
You touched me like no one else did
I moulded into it and abstained to let go
You ravished me and disposed of the poison
I kissed you deeply
You returned it and soothed me post aftermath
I always salivated for more
You actually kept me around
I piggybacked off the euphoria
You were too pure to see the cracks
I did my best to conceal the growth
You wondered why I behaved so strangely
I wasn’t sure of thy cause either
You became less enthusiastic
I desperately connected my lips to yours
You returned it with endurance
I noticed the grimace of pity
You bore the eyes of a wrinkled page
I tried to smooth you out
You opened the front door and disinvited me out with folded arms
I collapsed onto the porch and wept tears of tribulation
You shrugged on your coat and kicked down the broken rack
I slipped on my shoes so as not to step on shattered glass
You peered at me like I was delusional
I gripped the blade in my hands and sobbed with culpability
You spilled words of coercion and radiated apprehension
I singe my throat with epiphanies
You lack understanding
I run my mouth with amends
You despair with offers of discussion
I bite my tongue with farewells
You reach out
I end the world around me in the blink of an eye
You don’t say anything that will reach my deaf ears
I apologise, my love
submitted by Elem3ntalSh00tingBee to Poems [link] [comments]
I collapsed into them and wept tears of joy
You hung your coat on the broken rack
I took off my shoes so as not to get your house dirty
You made me dinner
I ate it with glee
You refilled my cup
I drank every last drop
You washed the dishes
I placed them back into the drawers
You tucked me into bed with you and kissed me goodnight
I saw thy absence of Hell
You sheathed me in your armour of serenity
I slid inside deeper ever
You awoke me in the morning
I shed tears of relief
You touched me like no one else did
I moulded into it and abstained to let go
You ravished me and disposed of the poison
I kissed you deeply
You returned it and soothed me post aftermath
I always salivated for more
You actually kept me around
I piggybacked off the euphoria
You were too pure to see the cracks
I did my best to conceal the growth
You wondered why I behaved so strangely
I wasn’t sure of thy cause either
You became less enthusiastic
I desperately connected my lips to yours
You returned it with endurance
I noticed the grimace of pity
You bore the eyes of a wrinkled page
I tried to smooth you out
You opened the front door and disinvited me out with folded arms
I collapsed onto the porch and wept tears of tribulation
You shrugged on your coat and kicked down the broken rack
I slipped on my shoes so as not to step on shattered glass
You peered at me like I was delusional
I gripped the blade in my hands and sobbed with culpability
You spilled words of coercion and radiated apprehension
I singe my throat with epiphanies
You lack understanding
I run my mouth with amends
You despair with offers of discussion
I bite my tongue with farewells
You reach out
I end the world around me in the blink of an eye
You don’t say anything that will reach my deaf ears
I apologise, my love
2023.06.04 15:37 allsayaye Acetone washed speed - very very fine powder, too fine to snort?
I did an acetone was with anhydrous acetone on some speed that had a shitton of very obvious caffeine crystals. 2g acetone soluble cuts on 2.6 gs (phew).
Anyways, I chopped up what the acetone didn't dissolve on a hot plate, and got .6 grams of extremely fine white powder. Very, very fine powder. Finer than powdered sugar. The only thing I could compare it to would be 2C-B powder but I'm not sure how familiar this subreddit is with psychedelics haha. I think, effect-wise, this is amphetamine or a similar stimulant. I don't think I've ever tried pure amp tho, cuz this was the first time I did an acetone wash, so I can't really tell. It doesn't smell and tastes bitter - as it should.
Is this normal for amphetamine to turn into az extremely fine powder? Can you avoid this somehow or "recrystallize" it into something that's more manageable?
Some of it it sticking to whatever tools I'm using to measure it. Snorting is almost impossible as even the smallest movement of air pulls it either straight to my throat or I guess deeper in the airways?
thankssss:))
submitted by allsayaye to speed [link] [comments]
Anyways, I chopped up what the acetone didn't dissolve on a hot plate, and got .6 grams of extremely fine white powder. Very, very fine powder. Finer than powdered sugar. The only thing I could compare it to would be 2C-B powder but I'm not sure how familiar this subreddit is with psychedelics haha. I think, effect-wise, this is amphetamine or a similar stimulant. I don't think I've ever tried pure amp tho, cuz this was the first time I did an acetone wash, so I can't really tell. It doesn't smell and tastes bitter - as it should.
Is this normal for amphetamine to turn into az extremely fine powder? Can you avoid this somehow or "recrystallize" it into something that's more manageable?
Some of it it sticking to whatever tools I'm using to measure it. Snorting is almost impossible as even the smallest movement of air pulls it either straight to my throat or I guess deeper in the airways?
thankssss:))
2023.06.04 15:35 Bharat_Hair_Cosmetic Scarless laser facial treatment in Bangalore. Bharat hair and cosmetic surgery
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