Stern and bow closter

or should I put skill points into something else like enchanting?

I got a new fish finder (Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 TS) and I want to put in the bow of my 2023 Tracker Classic XL. I am new to this, but the battery is in the back of the boat and the power cable does not reach that far. I am sure there is an easy solution I am missing. What is the best way to install this??

i received some baby items as a gift at my baby shower that i’d like to return for a credit (i just received so many clothes/blankets/bows, it’s going to go to waste). i know she bought them all at tj maxx and marshall’s. some items have the top of sticker but she peeled off the barcode/price. some items she took off the sticker all together but i know it’s from tj maxx (for example a Chick Pea blanket with all of the tags on it but not the tj max tag).
are these possible to return for a credit? i know customers are annoying with returns , i worked retail for years and appreciate you all! i could just really use some other items

So, I'm a big Days Gone fan, and my wife is a big Horizon fan. We both like Sci-fi and I can't help but notice that both games are very similar to each other.
Motorbike - you ride a thingy Hiding in bushes Open world Zombies - machines Focus Crafting and foraging Gyro - aim
I'm a huge gyro-aim fan so I really need something AAA with that option to really enjoy the game.
I've been watching her play.
And the whole time I feel just...meh. I call the main protagonist Annoy insted Alloy becouse she's...well...annoying to me. And the whole game looks like a packet of candies to me, with all that colors. Your main enemies are robots. And encounters are...again, meh. It's steel against steel, rarely flesh and blood, so it lacks...stakes? I'm killing a robot so I don't really feel anything. It's a dead thing already, so I'm not exactly killing it. I'm...violently turning it off🤣
Also not a huge fan of a bow and arrow concept, I much prefer guns. But my wife is insisting I should play it. It's great sci-fi, the graphics are amazing etc.
I'm just not buying it. So please, convince me, becouse I'm running out of things to play that have gyro-aim 🎻

First / previous
Terran year 5201 - 16th of september
Species: human - commander Svetlana - aboard the UNCS Russia.
"Contacting emperor Reith ma'am!" - my communication officer said.
I've received the news about the second battle of the war between humanity, the grogs, and the Cleyk, our fleet won, the Cleyk fleet retreated, not a single casualty on our side, that was good to hear.
Now, I will speak with Reith in order to fill a contract regarding his proposal of trading with us a lot asteroids for our aid in their railgun technology. The screen lit up, and there he was, the emperor of the grogs.
"Hello, ma'am, its a honor to meet the commander of a human carrier, how may I call you?" - He asked.
"Greetings, Reith, you may call me Commander Stevlana, the reason I'm here is to discuss about your proposal of trading our railgun technology for asteroids, and maybe sign a contract." - I responded.
"Very well, in that case, your diplomacy ship has permission to land outside my palace, we will discuss about the contract, both sides will be benefited with it!" - he responded with a smile.
"Alright, the UNCS Russia will remain in orbit, calling out." - I said before turning the screen off.
"Did you finish the gathering of the galactic map David?" - I asked my technology officer.
"I'm at 97% Ma'am, a few more minutes and we will have the complete map of the galaxy and the location of all the planets and the territory of each species." - he responded.
The reason we are 'stealing' that information is to locate the capital of the Cleyk Federation, when we do, commander Harry said we will send the UNSB Yamato, with the escort of UNCS Brazil, UNCS Russia, UNB Moscow, UNB São Paulo, UNB Rio de Janeiro, UNCS Argentina and UNB Buenos Aires, there we will contact them and demand their surrender, under the threat of firing a salvo from the UNSB Yamato at the planet, of course, we will land AI Controlled troops on the planet to evacuate the civilians, as one of the captured Cleyk, Yuok, asked Harry in trade of his help on how the Cleyk Federation vessels work and what they are made of.
...............
UNB Moscow is ready
UNB Buenos Aires is ready
UNSB Yamato construction started.
...............
Species: Cleyk - Tyrant Yutib - Cleyk Federation Capital planet
"So you are telling me, that your fleet retreated?" I asked commander Tyhk, who launched the second attack on the grogs and humans.
"Sir, all of us would have died if we didn't do so, our current weapons struggle to go past the shields of the human ships, we should start to focus on developing a more powerful version of our railguns instead, ones that can fire projectiles at higher speeds, otherwise, we will end up losing." - He said while looking me in the eyes.
"You have sucessfully captured 5 grog systems before this battle, you know our technology better than me, so if that's the case, if our weapons are really failing to go past the human shields, then go foward, redirect a part of our resources on improving the railgun technology, I'm not willing to spend ships on fighting the humans directly when our main weapons are useless, anti matter missiles are expensive and take a long time to be built, so mass producing them is out of question." - I responded.
"Alright your majesty, I need to leave now to start the development." - He bowed before leaving.
I sighted, opening my data pod and replaying the footage of the battle again, gathered from one of the surviving carriers.
Our railgun projectiles hitting their shields, which shrugged them off like they were nothing, even the railguns from one of our battleship only managed to violently jerk one of their ships, their shields are truly powerful.
However, I noticed that one of their ships lost its shielding after being swarmed by our fighters, 2 of its main turrets got destroyed, it appears that their shields can be disabled by firing hundreds of projectiles at them, if we manage to produce more fighters, maybe we could overwhelm them by outnumbering by a factor of 10, hell, 50 would be better...
I need to contact the resources management in order to increase the production of vessels...
Honestly, this war is not going like I expected it to go, maybe it was a mistake to greatly underestimated our foe...
...............
Terran year 5201 - 17th of september
Species: Grogs - Commander Ritcher - heading to one of the human factories.
Commander Harry invited me and some reporters from other species for a tour on one of their factories, this one is much bigger than the others, and I thought nothing of it...
Before entering, we were given small devices to be placed on our ears, they were 'translators', which would be needed for proper communication.
We started the tour by visiting multiple sections,we saw fighters being built, others repaired, missiles and torpedos being built, then some humans discussing something inside a room, drinking a weird brown substance? Looking outside, some other ships were under construction, one of them, labelled as 'UNB New York', was receiving major refurshibments, two of its massive guns were being rebuilt from scratch by dozens of robots.
A giant vessel, named 'UNCS Brazil' was here as well, parked outside the Factory, being loaded with more Missiles and torpedos, as well as receiving a new, beautiful painting in green, yellow, and blue.
Commander Harry was personally accompanying us, answering dozens of questions from the curious reporters on how they could produce such ships in a such small period, but he was taking us to another place deep within the building.
He showed us the history of humanity, the wars fought in the past, the first and second space race, the unification of humanity and the creation of the UN, much like a museum visit.
After a certain point, he told the reporters that they were now dismissed, as what was about to be shown was confidential, and only authorized personel were allowed from that point on. He asked one of the guards to show them the exit...
I was allowed to continue, however.
"Well Ritcher, the reason I asked you to come here is to show you our planet killer, and to ask you for help on producing anti matter ammunition for its main guns." - He started
A planet killer? How could you kill a planet with a ship?
"P-p-planet killer?" - I asked, studdering from shock...
"Yes, you heard it right, a ship capable of killing planets with its main battery, which can fire a variety of things, armor piercing rounds, incendiary rounds, EMP Rounds, Nanite rounds, and anti matter rounds mainly" - he calmly said.
He stopped for a moment, looked at me, and said, with a serious tone:
"What you are about to see is of total secrecy, you should share it with NOBODY, not even with your emperor, do you understand?"
"Y-yes.." - I studdered.
"Good" - he responded.
He nodded to a guard which pressed a button, a thick door opened in front of us, leading to a big room,when we entered it, I gasped at my sighting...
A gigantic ship, bigger than even their carriers, was being built, thousands of robots worked to weld its shielding and to equip it with massive guns, which were being lowered by cranes on its hull, truly astounishing...
It was so big that I could only see a part of it, I would risk saying that it was 1.2 times the length of their carriers...
"This, is the United Nations Super Battleship Yamato, we are building it to put an end to this war by forcing the Cleyk to surrender, under the threat of killing their planets, one by one."
"Each of its 6 main turrets are equipped with 6, 4800 mm railguns, which can accelerate its ammunition to roughly a third of the speed of light, we really didn't want to build it, as its extremely expensive, but given the fact that the Cleyk aren't going to stop, we concluded that, if we want to stop them without driving them extinct, the way is to kill their emperor, which means that we will need to go deep into enemy territory."
"We will try to save the civilians though, as they have nothing to do with this war."
"Besides that, the Yamato is around 900 meters long, it might have a small amount of main guns, but that is because its heavily armored, its barrel walls are very thick due to the energy flowing through them, it carries its own fighters, and has around 800 missile launchers, 1450 AFS Guns, 120, 800 mm secondary guns, and 300, 600 mm tertiary guns. If they don't surrender, we will just throw a nanite bomb at their planet and let the nanomachines do their job in order to speed things up and save ammo."
A nanite bomb, they are really willing to kill a planet to end this war, humans are crazy... - I thought to myself, while looking at Yamato again.
Yutib will likely refuse to surrender, as he is full of pride, I pray for him to surrender, billions will die if he don't...

Ive noticed recently while skilling my a** off stood at the GE that if im fletching bows for instance, then decide to reply to my clan chat it cancels my fletching then i have to restart it.
This appears to be the only botton out of all the tabs that cause this to happen and extremely annoying when skilling while bank standing is the most social part of it all.

Hello! I love pink and bows and I've recently realized that the BAM cover of volume 6 of Wotakoi is the cutest one but it came 1 year ago. How foolish I was lol. I was just wondering if anyone had a copy they were selling for lower than $40 US? I am from Canada but am currently in the Netherlands so I don't have any manga to trade with me. ;-; Thank you so much for the thought <3 -Kokiri

Hello everyone!
Recently I've been reading the WN of TsukiMichi, and while I do think the translations are passable, I don't think they could be considered all that good, especially from the perspective of a native English speaker.
I will iterate though, that I respect Reigokai for everything he has done, and I am quite grateful to even be able to experience the web novel in any form or fashion.
Carrying onto the main point of this post, whilst I do enjoy the web novel, I was curious what it may look like if the translations were a bit more natural and free flowing.
I am no writer, but I decided to try my hand at reviewing and revising a couple chapters at the beginning of the WN just to see how much of a difference it might make.
I should mention that the revisions were simply made to the material provided by Reigokai, I built upon whatever he had translated, and did not refer to the original work. I can't read enough Japanese to be able to directly translate after all. I simply tried to infer the meaning from what was already presented in the web novel, and make it a little more clear.
I would love to get others opinions on my revisions and what you think in comparison to the original.Any form of constructive criticism would be welcome!
For example, did I take too much creative liberty in redescribing some situations, did I fluff it up too much, are there any changes you think were unnecessary or detract away from the experience?
On top of that do you think I should continue? It's honestly quite time consuming to do this, so I don't know if I will, but it was enjoyable for what it's worth so I may if I feel like it!
While reading you may find a couple of grammatical errors and such, I hope you won't mind!
​
TL;DR: I revised two chapters of the TsukiMichi WN and would appreciate constructive feedback.
​
Prologue: This is the beginning of the autumn sky
I woke up, made breakfast, and in the meantime prepared my lunchbox.
I left for school, then went to club for morning practice.
Finishing up my club’s morning practice, I headed to class.
Once that was finished, I once again went back to club in the afternoon.
After hanging out with my friends in club, I went back home.
I took a bath, and then I changed.
I enjoyed some time with my family, and then I rested.
In the late nights of autumn, I read books, played games, and surfed the web.
Finally, I slept.
That’s all I did.
There might have been something in between the lines, but that’s not particularly important.
“That’s why it’s strange... Why I am not asleep in the comforts of my own home!?”
That’s right... without a doubt... I’m somewhere else.
I don’t exactly know where, but here I am.
In a square room that looks as if stars were printed on the walls and floor.
In order to better assess my situation, I went around inspecting the room.
I was concerned by the fact that there was no obvious exit present.
On top of that, ever since I got here, I haven’t felt the presence of anything or anyone else.
Currently, I am entrusting my back to a corner of the room, while I ponder my situation.
“You are extremely calm considering your circumstances, huh.”
“?!”
A voice...
There’s definitely nothing present in this room, yet I’m certain I heard a loud voice.
Looking around, I saw that nothing in the room had visibly changed.
The voice continued.
“Once I projected my voice, you immediately began searching your surroundings attempting to comprehend the current state of affairs. Simultaneously, you remained vigilant as you endeavored to organize your thoughts, huh?”
“Who are you?”
If all I could hear was a voice, it seemed my best option was to attempt to communicate with it.
“If I said I was a god, would you believe me?”
“Absolutely not.”
Does this voice have a screw loose?
“That is quite unfortunate.”
“Well, I will now transport you to a REALLY good parallel world. I should mention, it is a one way trip so you will not be able to return to your original world.”
“Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait!”
What kind of nonsense is this thing spewing so nonchalantly?!
“In regards to what you will be tasked to do, you should ask the one who is in charge of that place when you arrive.
“With that now explained, I am sorry but I need you to sign off on this.”
“Like hell I’m going to do that!”
As I anticipated, my voice became violent. I mean, It’s a given! it’s obvious! Who would just accept this situation like that?!
“Oh? You don’t want to? That’s weird... I was told you would be going.”
The voice seemed troubled.
There’s a limit to jokes! I have in absolutely no way, heard about this beforehand!
“I’m not lying! I haven’t been told a thing about this! Okay? Moreover, what kind of idiot would just willingly accept the concept of another world?! The fact that we’re even talking about this is just plain weird!”
I attempted to explain my side of the story with all my available might.
“Huh, it seems as if it truly was not you. I apologize, I seem to have made a mistake.”
I breath a sigh of relief.
“I appreciate your apology, but are you going to bring me back home?!”
I still have yet to return to my original tone of voice.
My current tone may not be threatening, but it’s definitely not polite either.
I mean, who’s going to blame me? This is a completely ridiculous situation. It’s definitely not my fault.
“Of course I will.”
That’s what the voice said.
With that, I breathe another sigh of relief.
I’m so glad. It’s a ‘voice’ that can be reasoned with.
Usually, in a standard template scenario like this, this is the part where the voice would say ‘I’m sorry’, ‘it’s impossible’, or ‘oh well, try your best’ and would simply toss you out to fend for yourself.
Maybe you’d even be given the guy who tells you ‘You’re already dead’ and, without hearing any complaints, throws you out to fend for yourself in another world.
That’s what I thought would happen but...
I’m saved ~
“Well, I am extremely sorry… if that is truly the case, then as an alternative it must be either your younger or older sister.”
I retract everything I just said. This guy just said something that can’t be passed off as a joke.
It said it in a nonchalant way, but those were words I absolutely cannot let slip by.
“Hey... could you repeat yourself one more time?”
“Hm? If you are not the one to be chosen, that means one of your sisters must be. ”
“Don’t give me that shit!”
“If you touch my sisters, I’ll make sure you live to regret it!”
They’re out there, living their own lives to the fullest!
There’s no way they’d be able to just accept this situation!
The audacity! Without even an ounce of care in its voice, this thing says it’ll just whisk one of the two away!
Don’t mess with me!
“For the sake of confirming, you are indeed the Misumi family’s eldest son, Misumi Makoto-kun, correct?”
Why does it know my name?
“The kids of the Misumi household should have already been told of this matter. At least, that is what I was told. Is this not correct?”
The voice seemed even more troubled now then it did before.
I was a bit surprised by this. Although it kidnapped me out of nowhere, it still tried its best to respect my will.
Everything being considered…
“Well, for the time being, could you at least tell me your name?”
That’s right. I’m still somehow managing not to fall into a complete panic, but it’s not as if I’m extremely calm either.
The best way to put it would be, I’m composed. I have to settle down a bit.
Even now, I still don’t even know the identity of the voice.
“?? Oh yeah of course, you are quite right. I apologize for not having introduced myself sooner. I am called Tsukuyomi.”
“I see, Tsukuyomi. Tsukuyomi… Tsukuyomi?!”
“Oh? Do you know of me? I see you are quite knowledgeable.”
“You don’t mean, Tsukuyomi of the three Shinto gods, do you? That Tsukuyomi no Mikoto?!”
“Oooh, yes, that would indeed be correct. Although, compared to the other two, I am nothing but a minor character.”
I mean, that’s true. Even considering that though, he’s still a big shot.
I like myths and history (though only a bit), henceforth why I know of him.
If what the voice is saying is true, then he is quite the character.
“Why is it that the Tsukuyomi-sama knows of me?”
Let’s begin with the thing I understand the least. I don’t understand why I was chosen to travel to another world.
“…”
“I see, you really don’t know anything. Alright, I will tell you.”
Everything I was told from that point on, I honestly couldn’t get a grasp on it.
I was in a pretty fortunate position compared to those who are suddenly called to another world, get lost, or get reincarnated—or at least that’s what I had thought.
Prologue 2: The farewell gift is a secret
To summarize what Tsukuyomi-sama said to me, it goes something like this.
The reason for the transportation and procedure had all been explained to me.
Basically, my parents themselves were originally residents of this aforementioned other world.
When I was young, I was told that my grandparents had already died and that we didn’t have connections with any of our other relatives but… to think that this was the reason why.
In order to come to our current world, for one reason or another, they made an agreement with the god of that other world.
That’s what seems to have triggered my current situation.
That’s to say, the condition the god gave them was ‘one day, I will take that which is most important from you’.
Is that guy the devil?!
It seems my parents agreed to that condition.
Now that I think about it all three children of my family (myself include) were taught how to do domestic chores, as well as made to learn some sort of martial art.
To think that that was preparation for this of all things! All for the purpose of possibly being shipped off to another world at any time!
No no no, don’t joke around. My parents never told me anything about another world!
Well, to be fair, even if they had told me, I’d probably look at them as if they were a bunch of crazy people.
My father is a writer that specializes in making fantasy novels that are oddly realistic and hold a lot of presence.
Though, to think that that was because he had actually experienced the real thing is a little mind boggling.
In one of his works, he intricately detailed the flavors of a dragon steak, and the comforts of sleeping in a stable, both of which were especially moving moments.
The world that I’m going to now is that same magic filled fantasy world.
It seems that I’m going to be sent to that world with power that surpasses that of my peers. Due to various reasons, the people that are transferred over from my world are all incredibly strong.
In a sense, it’ll be as if I’ve been released from extremely heavy clothing.
It’s not like I’ll be given immortality though, so I can still suffer fatal wounds. At least, I’ve been warned of such.
Judging by what Tsukuyomi-sama has said, it seems that even just living in my world is a feat in and of itself.
Not only is there practically no magical power, the Gods’ divine protection can barely reach anyone there. It’s a harsh world in comparison to others. That’s the kind of place I’ve been living in up until now, at least, according to Tsukuyomi-sama.
Even though all I’ve done is live my life normally...
How convenient for me.
“I’m extremely sorry for shouting at you. It seems you’ve also had it rough Tsukuyomi-sama.” (Makoto)
Moreover, thinking about the hardships Tsukuyomi-sama must have faced due to being the middle child nestled between the two extraordinary beings that are his elder sister and younger brother...
I felt a flood of emotions when considering his situation. Even now, when he simply tried to do his job, he was shouted at by a person he barely knows.
He’s definitely had it rough so far.
“Well, well, to think your understanding of my own circumstance would be so intricate! How long has it been since I have felt such a blissful feeling? Though, if we are to talk about having it rough, Makoto-dono has it plenty rough himself.” (Tsukuyomi)
To think he even understands my feelings of being the only man wedged in between two sisters! I never thought the day would come, when somebody could sympathize with me so!
Now that I’ve been enlightened to his greatness, if there was ever a Tsukuyomi Mikoto religion, I’d enter it in a heart beat!
Hooray Tsukuyomi-sama!
“Nonetheless, my sisters and I have lived a normal life up until now. We’re way too late in the game to suddenly be told we’ve essentially been living in a wasteland all our lives.” (Makoto)
“Out of all the other worlds out there, yours is certainly the harshest. In the eyes of an otherworlder, it would be like live in the depths of the ocean or living in a sea of lava.” (Tsukuyomi)
“On a separate note, she really is taking her time.” (Tsukuyomi)
We’ve been waiting for the goddess of the other world to come and retrieve me but…
Considering how long she’s taking, it doesn’t seem like that goddess will be coming anytime soon.
It seems that world is a pretty popular place, inhabited by a Goddess and spirits alike.
In what way does that make it popular? I honestly have no clue.
By the way, I’ve already signed whatever it is Tsukuyomi-sama gave me. Of course, only after thoroughly reviewing the conditions and being convinced about it, okay?
After all, if I don’t go, either my older or younger sister would have to go in my place.
I’m extremely troubled by this, you know? Very troubled.
I mean, for one, I won’t be able to play games anymore. In a world where machines don’t exist, I won’t even be able to play something as simple as a mobile game!
I also have to bid farewell to all my manga and novels.
Furthermore, on my computer, there may or may not be a number of things that are 18+. If those get discovered, I have no clue how I would even begin to explain that to my family.
I’m a growing young man! It’s perfectly understandable! Right?!
That’s why I told Tsuki-sama about it, and requested the he clean it up in a covert manner so that my family wouldn’t notice.
This might not come off very well, but aside from my family, I honestly could care less if anyone else knows about it.
Now that I have been cornered, I understand just how tiny I truly am. Though, that’s how I really feel.
However, that isn’t any good.
That’s why I decided to stop being so self-centered. How do I say it? I’m honestly surprised at how much I prioritize myself!
Although, I still wanted to do something about my dark history.
While he did say I can’t return…
If my family who I won’t be able to see again, if they find the materials linked to my inner man…
“I can’t believe our kid had these kinds of hobbies!”(Makoto’s father)
“Even if he’s our child, how unrefined of him!”(Makoto’s mother)
“Onii-chan*, you’re disgusting!” (Makoto’s younger sister) [*Big brother]
“I can’t believe my little brother! Could it be?! Did he look at me with such a lascivious gaze as well?!”(Makoto’s older sister)
“NOOOOOOO!!! STOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!” (Makoto)
There’s absolutely no way I could take that! Even just imagining it is enough to make me want to kill myself!
“Do not worry young Mikoto.” (Tsukuyomi)
Tsuki-sama was different. While I was writhing due to the madness found within my heart, and was about to be engulfed by the accumulating negative feelings, he said this to me.
“Everything you have that contains contents of men’s dreams, books, and software, as well as the contents your hard drive; I will make sure to take responsibility of wiping them all from the face of the planet!” (Tsukuyomi)
Tsuki-sama said while nodding reassuringly.
He understood everything... absolutely everything about it...
He truly is a God! He truly is divine! Even if in the eyes of others, he is simply a minor character, he is definitely number one in my heart! You have become the greatest of Gods! The Chief God!
I am impressed by the fact that he knew of advanced technological devices such hard drives.
Honestly though, I’m not thinking too much about stuff like that. I’m just grateful that my potential nightmare has disappeared.
Tsuki-sama and I decided to kill time while waiting for the goddess. We talked about this and that. We talked about things such as society while drinking tea that was pulled out of who knows where.
“By the way, to my understanding in the new world I will have immense physical and magical power but…” (Makoto)
“Yes?” (Tsukuyomi)
“Will I receive something like a special ability? For example, an impenetrable barrier, the demon eye of truth, a Rose Logia, or a heavenly phase?” (Makoto)
I mean, if I have an incredible amount of magic power, there might not be any need. Even so, it’s the dream of any young man to have powers like that.
Normally, there are a lot of people that are given overpowered abilities when they arrive in another world, you know? That’s why I want it too, you know?
I mean, I guess that’s only in fiction though...
From what I’ve heard, there are demi-humans, and even beastkin so even if I’m a little abnormal I shouldn’t be discriminated against.
All that considered, it would be nice if I had one, at least that’s what I thought.
“Of course you will!” (Tsukuyomi)
“Seriously?! What kind? What kind will I get?” (Makoto)
I honestly didn’t think my request could be fulfilled~. You’ll only know if you ask, huh.
“I do not know. I am sorry, but it will be a surprise for when you arrive there. I myself can only go there once, and after that I will be incapable of communicating with you, so I am only going to give you a hint, okay?” (Tsukuyomi)
“Ooh~ I hope it’s something like a blank skill that lets you make any power you want!” (Makoto)
“Nope, that is not the case. I am sorry, but although I am divine, even I have limits imposed upon myself.” (Tsukuyomi)
“??” (Makoto)
“It is said that I am the one who governs the night and the moon, but my real attribute is quite ambiguous. In fact, it may be similar to what you speak of, a ‘blank skill’ of sorts.” (Tsukuyomi)
“That is why I will give you as much of my power as I can. Although, I do not know how it will bud, and what kind of fruit it shall bare. It may even become something you do not desire. For that, I am sorry.” (Tsukuyomi)
Having said that, Tsuki-sama beckons me to come closer.
Following his instructions, I sat beside him. He then placed his hand on me.
I felt something beginning to flow into me. That something went through my spine and then began to circulate throughout my whole body. It then went around to my chest, and began to gather there. Finally it calmed itself.
Is this the blessing he said he would give me?
“I feel something accumulating withing me. Is this what you would call the point of origin?” (Makoto)
“That’s right, you learn fast.”(Tsukuyomi)
“There should be no problems with the perception of your surroundings. When you imagine yourself letting the power out, it should active.” (Tsukuyomi)
“The feeling of releasing the power in the palm of your hands is probably the easiest to understand.” (Tsukuyomi)
“I should mention, it is currently impossible. This place is still technically located in your original world after all.” (Tsukuyomi)
I wanted to give it a try, but Tsuki-sama stopped me while laughing.
“This may be slightly tangential, Makoto-dono, but I should mention even if it is stated in your contract, the goddess of the other world should similarly give you an ability of some sort.
You will be abandoning your current world, of not particularly your own volition, so giving you side-benefits is of course a given.” (Tsukuyomi)
Once again, Tsuki-sama bows his head with an apologetic expression.
“No way, Tsukuyomi-sama! I am nothing but grateful to you. Maybe, just maybe, if I had been sent away without any explanation after rejecting you, and then, the next day, one of my sisters were to disappear, I would’ve regretted it for the rest of my life.” (Makoto)
“Makoto-dono is truly kind… it seems she has finally come.” (Tsukuyomi)
“Finally, huh. We’ve been talking for quite a while. No, more like her tardiness allowed us to do so.” (Makoto)
“You know, if you wanted, I could record all our conversations in a dream pillow. Is this really enough for you?” (Tsukuyomi)
In Tsuki-sama’s hand, there were two letters.
When I asked Tsuki-sama if I could leave anything behind for my family, he gave me a lot of different ways to give them a message in a heartbroken manner. In the end, I decided to go with letters. One was addressed to my parents, and the other to my sisters.
My parents, having come from there, would understand if I told them about the other world, but using that kind of explanation for my sisters would be hard. Therefore, I made two of them. I’ll let my parents decide whether or not to tell my sisters the truth of the matter.
Conversely, I asked if it was possible for me to take anything with me. In response, I was told that he could make some accommodations for it.
I chose various books and writing utensils (ball-pens and mechanical pencils were a no go, so I had to make due with a pencil). I wanted to bring a bit of food too, but for some reason I was denied that privilege as well. There’s are probably numerous laws for the management of worlds. I assume in this case, the preservation of what’s already there, huh.
“Yes, I don’t mind- huh?!” (Makoto)
My body is going transparent? I double checked just to be sure, but half my body has gone transparent?!
“What?! She plans to take you away without even giving me any notice?! What is she thinking, that stupid woman!” (Tsukuyomi)
Tsuki-sama was also panicking. It wasn’t like I was going to die though. I was just being taken away after all, so I felt a bit relieved.
“Makoto-dono, I am sorry! The Goddess that you are about to meet, is quite problematic and troublesome character. It is a given if you are unable to hide your displeasure. But, if you can find it somewhere in your heart, please, overlook her actions.” (Tsukuyomi)
Tsuki-sama is a wise person. He’s probably come into contact with a good number of people in his lifetime.
I smiled while nodding.
I was able to harden my resolve to travel to another world thanks to him, and he managed to make me accept the situation I was given. He chatted with me and helped calm myself.
Those were the words he gave me as I departed, the words from that Tsukuyomi Mikoto.
Even if the Goddess I’m about to meet in this parallel world has a troublesome personality, I will do my best to accept her for Tsukuyomi-sama’s sake.

My 5-year-old son (who is learning violin) is obsessed with harvesting and collecting tree sap from trees in the neighbourhood. He had the idea of melting it down into a block and using it as bow rosin.
Is this possible? (I told him I’d ask an expert)
Thanks

I was thinking similar to how in ghost of Tsushima you could bow and the NPCs would sometimes react to it. I was thinking I would like it if Captain America could salute NPCs. I was thinking NPCs would react differently like a soldier or police office soldier would salute back. A civilian could salute crooked or with the wrong hand. A wakandain could make an x with their arms. A hydra pow could give cap the finger.

"I don't do interviews."

Bio
Name: Elena Sofía Guerrera	Date of Birth: March 13th
Age: 16	Gender: Female (She/HeHers)
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual	Nationality: American (Immigrant from Mexico)
Race: Latina (Mexican)	Fatal Flaw: Distrust
Demigod Conundrums: ADHD	Hometown: Morelia, Michoacán, MX

Elena's first name was given to her by her father for reasons unknown. Her mother offered her the middle name Sofía, which means wisdom in ancient greek. Finally, her surname Guerrera means warrior in Spanish.
​

Family Member	Age	Description/Title	Relationship
Father: Paolo Guerrera	22 (Deceased)	Elena doesn't know anything about her father. She was three years old when he died.	Too young to know him, but always old enough to miss him. Elena never knew her father and always wishes she had.
Mother: Athena Oplophóros	Wisdom never ages, only matures.	The goddess of wisdom in a form known for being an armed, strategic warrior.	'Mom' was a name that has always been foreign to Elena. She believes that her mother died during childbirth, leaving Elena's father to raise the girl on her own. She holds no ill will, only the wish that she could have met her if only for a moment.
Caregiver: Tia Rosa	47 (Deceased)	A Nun who worked at the orphanage Elena grew up in. Died when Elena turned 14	The closest thing to a mother that Elena ever had. They had a running joke that Elena was Rosa's favorite at the orphanage. She always gave Elena extra cookies at dinner.
Caregiver: Tia Esmerelda	43 (Status: Unknown)	A Nun who worked as a teacher at the orphanage Elena grew up in.	A stern, strong woman. Her beautiful features were hardened due to years of continued work. She taught Elena everything she could until the fateful day that Elena left Mexico.

Appearance
"bonita no gana peleas" (Pretty doesn't win fights.)
​

Faceclaim	Height	Build	Weight	Hair	Eye Color	Piercings
Here (Art found on pinterest, orginal artist unknown)	5'7	The ever-sought-after hourglass figure graces Elena's body. She is lean and toned due to years of fighting on her own.	I don't think I can ask that and make it out alive...	Thick and dark brown. Cut short and jagged by her own swords.	Piercing Green Unlike her siblings, Elena does not possess her mother's grey eyes. Her eyes only turn grey when her powers activate.	Double piercings on both ears. Her right nostril is pierced as well.

Description:

• Her appearance was never anything that Elena cared much for. Her face has natural beauty, but it has been hardened by two long years of traveling alone. Healed scars can be found all over her body, homages to the hard travels that she has had. Elena never learned how to do makeup. She does not know how to do her hair in any style other than short. All she knew was survival, beauty didn't make for survival.

Equipment/Accessories:

• el cielo y el infierno (Heaven and Hell): Elena's twin celestial bronze swords that she is able to summon. They have grown in size as Elena has grown over the years.

Abilities
Domain:

• Combat Proficiency - A trait where one is naturally adept with various forms of combat. In Elena's case, she is adept in Athena's domain of combat (Combat and warfare strategy).
• Summon Weapon (Twin Swords) - The ability to summon to summon a set of particular weapons.
• Disarm Opponent - The ability to instantly disarm an opponent (targeted). It can only happen once in an (1) hour, if the user is holding a weapon. It can happen twice in the same amount of time if the user is unarmed.

Godrent Minor:

• Legendary Cognition - A trait where one displays one of the highest levels of intelligence and wisdom known of half-bloods. They have the intellect level of geniuses.
• Fight-Or-Flight - A situational ability.
  • If Elena fights an opponent who is weaker than her, she activates fight. This ability gives her a buff that gives her greater insights into the weaknesses of the opponent she faces. Essentially, she understands exactly how to take down weaker opponents in the most efficient way possible.
  • If Elena fights an opponent who is stronger than her, she activates flight. This ability gives her a buff that increases her agility and grants her insight into the best and safest way to leave an altercation. Essentially, she gets a blueprint on how to escape a battle that she cannot win, with minimal losses.
• Mental Fortitude - A trait where one displays an immunity to all kinds of mental manipulation

Godrent Major:

• Odikinesis - The ability to manipulate feelings related to rage and warfare, forcing the target to hyperfocus on battle and granting them a strength and stamina buff (targeted and self-inflicted, more potent form of Bloodlust Inducement). In Elena's case, she has Athenian Odikinesis which grants her battle clearheadedness.

Personality:
Blunt, cold, and guarded. All words that can be used to describe this hardened daughter of Athena. The once kind, crafty, bright young girl that roamed the halls of the cathedral which she was raised in has been lost along the long road travelled between Mexico and New York. On the surface, Elena is very calm, but apathetic. She does not offer her sympathy easily, if at all. Most who approach her are met with blunt rejection. If she chooses to stay in an interaction, her responses will be short and to the point. Her defensive social she’ll is almost as strong as her battle defenses. If you want to see the layers beneath, you’ll have to break through her hard social defense.
Backstory
[To be revealed]
Present
A girl cursing violently and rapidly in spanish was walking down Half-Blood Hill. Quite honestly, she looked homeless. Her hair was choppy, as if someone had just taken a sword to it she had and her clothes were dirty, as if they hadn’t been washed in gods know how long they hadn’t.
The right arm of her black long-sleeve shirt had been cut off and tied around what looked like the remnant of a bleeding gash along her lateral bicep. Her blue jeans had plenty of rips, but not the fashionable kind. These rips were the kind that came from a long, grueling journey. But… it seems like that journey has finally come to an end.
Welcome to Camp Half-Blood, Elena.

First / Previous / Next
Ugh. again?
Sure seems like I'm getting shot at a lot. As I notice the shot, it's as if time slows down around me. I can't tell if this is a function of the Nanites or just my regular perception but it doesn't really matter right now. I reach behind me and grab my rifle automatically - side note, I really need to remember to thank Ava for bringing it - and bring it forward, toggling the safety off and switching to three round burst in one fluid motion. Yes, I practiced it.
Without even bringing the rifle up to my shoulder I fire off a quick burst from my hip. The goal is to make them duck and stop shooting, not to hit them or anything. The rounds fire extra slowly, this must be the Nanites. After the third round discharges, I bring the rifle up to my shoulder and realize that everyone is still behind me.
I steal a glance back and in my high perception slow motion, I can see that nobody was hit from the shot. Ava has noticed and is moving so slowly to push Omar and Um'reli out of the way. Um'reli just noticed the shot and is ducking, and I don't think Omar noticed yet at all. He must have been distracted with something else.
There, off to the side on the second floor balcony. I catch a glint of something. I concentrate harder, and time slows further. I get the feeling this is going to hurt once I adjust my perception back to normal, but for now it's saving all of us. It's like my eyes are in maple syrup, but I can swing them up and see a sniper setting up a shot. I can't hold off the gunner in the barricade and the sniper up high.
What am I going to do? I wish I could just get them to stop shooting for a moment.
Oh wait, I'm an idiot.
I speed my perception back to normal, take a breath and shout as loud as I can,
S̵̢̛̝͎̀̐̍̈́̉͛̓̒̈́̍̌̄́͂̐̊̀͛̃̏͜͠Ţ̵̱̻͖̪̮͈̦̫̹̝̪̯͚͉̹͕̈́̓́̽̾̏̓͘͘ͅO̸̡̨̡̢̰̼̮͎͓͈̪̟̲̻͑͛͌͋̏̾̈́̎͋͂̇͋͛͆͌̓͐̔̃̆͐͋͑̕͜P̶̨̜͍͇͚̟̪̹̺͖̹̜͕̥̖̅͒̑͌̔͜
I catch my breath and look around. Looks like I'm not being shot at anymore. I turn back and make sure my friends are all right.
Uh oh.
Everyone around me is frozen.
I might have overdone it.
They've all... stopped. Just like I told them, I guess. Omar, Ava and Um'reli are staring at me, unmoving.
"Oh! Sorry! Sorry! Um, ỳ̵̧͖o̷͉̩̊ŭ̷͕̂ ̶̨̤͝ẗ̶̩́ḧ̷̙͖͂r̸̻̈̀e̷͙͒è̴͍̞ can move, please."
All three of them fall over as they regain the ability to move again. Omar was the first to recover. "Melody, what the hell was that?"
"Well we had the shooter over in the barricade, and then I noticed a sniper up on the second floor balcony and I wasn't sure if there was another sniper that I didn't see and I just wanted everyone to stop so I could catch my breath and see what's going on."
He shook his head. "No, I mean, Melody, how did you do all that so fast? The first shot had barely fired when you grabbed your gun, returned fire, and used your Voice."
"Oh that. It turns out that I can adjust the rate that I perceive things. It's not like slowing or speeding up time, just my perception of it."
Um'reli looks at me. "Can we do that too?"
I shrug. "I don't know, but it's not the Voice and it is because of the Nanites so... probably?"
Ava looks at me and reaches into a pocket. She takes out a napkin she must have grabbed at the restaurant and dabs under my nose. "You're bleeding again hon. Is this going to happen every time you exert yourself?"
"I sure hope not." I manage weakly.
"Uh Melody, the shooter?" Omar is pointing at them.
Oh right! I walk over behind the barricade and check them out. It's an Aviens, I don't think I recognize them. They're frozen in the process of reloading. Hmm. I reach down and pluck the magazine from their hands. Are they breathing? Looks like. Whew. Okay, so they just stopped moving but their bodily functions haven't ceased. I wonder if I can do that. Kill people by just telling them to stop breathing.
You can. Some Empresses preferred it as a method of execution.
Mentally, I make a face. That seems a bit much to me.
Dammit. The Administrators are forcing my hand. I don't want to have to order everyone around to get what I want, but I think I'm going to have at at least at first.
It makes sense. You represent a shift in the status quo. They hold the power now, and do not wish to relinquish it. You will have to make them do it. Melody, did you think that you could walk up to them, tell them you were Empress and they'd bow and let you take over?
When you say it that way, it sounds naïve!
Ugh. Fine. I take a breath. Now that I know what it feels like to integrate - at least partially - to the starbase, I wonder if there's anything I can control without being on the Throne.
I reach out and concentrate. Hmm. I can feel the systems, but it's almost like a read-only version. They're fainter, softer. There. That's the starbase public address system. Can I focus on a location, on a building. Ugh, this is hard, I wish I was on my Throne.
"Okay, can you hear me? Check Check Check?"
Ava gasps. "Yes! We can hear you Melody. You're speaking through the starbase? Can everyone hear you?"
"Ideally no. It's supposed to be just this building. But if more people hear it, that's fine. Okay, here goes..."
C̵̣̪̟͇̫̖͐͝ò̶̘̖̠͓̼͈̗́m̵̡͉̰̫̾͐e̵͙̝͕̣̘͋͒̚͠ ̸̛̫̝̳͔͊̅t̷̡̮̤̮̬͚́o̶̝͍̟͚̗͙͝ ̵̺͇̺̜͋̆m̶̧̛̺̮̗̅ȩ̷͙̲͔̦̲̘̍́̾.̴̡̀
Immediately, I see the change through my connection. Silently, people rise from where they are and bein walking towards the lobby where we are. Before long at all, a crow has formed, silent and staring. I glance through the crowd and I can't see the Administrators.
"Where are the Administrators?"
"They are not here, Empress" the crowd replies. Neat!
"Where are they"
Not everyone knows, so only those that do reply. Two Aviens reply in harmony. "They have retreated to a shelter. They hope that you will leave."
"They did not hear my order?"
Stony stares back. Nobody knows.
"I am your Empress, I rule here."
"This is self evident, Empress." they all reply.
"The Administrators' rule has ended. Does anyone dispute this?"
"No, Empress."
"No longer will I tolerate being shot at." I look up at the Sniper. "Any further attempts upon my life or the lives of any other builders will be seen as treason and will be punished severely."
"Yes, Empress."
"Find the Administrators. Bring them before me."
"Yes, Empress."
Oh wait. "Alive please."
"Yes, Empress."
Ava nudges me "Hotel" she hisses.
"Oh yeah! Um, also where is the finest hotel on this Starbase? Me and my Builders need a place to sleep and rest."
One person only, an Azurian speaks. I wonder why? "The Royal Dawn is thought by some to be the finest hotel on this part of Reach of the Might of Vzzx. People make use of it when traveling around the starbase for holy pilgrimages and festival days."
"Why were you the only one who replied?"
"Some didn't know, others had different opinions about lodging. I had a strong conviction that I was right."
I concentrate and try and search for the name. There! I know where it is. I can even see it in my minds eye. Yes, this will do nicely.
"Thank you for your work. Complete your task. You are dismissed."
Everyone strides out of the lobby. Shrugging, I motion to Omar and Ava and Um'reli to follow.
The crowd from the Administrative offices silently walks down the promenade a short distance, crowds outside watching curiously. They reach a door somewhat hidden against a wall and one of them comes forward. It is an Aviens and in their clawed hand is a ring. Attached to the ring is a number of small dots on strings. Is it a key ring? They press one against the door, and it opens with a his of old seals.
A small group of people rush inside, and I can hear a commotion. Before not too long, Starlight on a Moonless Evening, The Smell Of The Ocean and Rapid River Roaring are dragged out. They struggle against the iron grip of the crowd."
I affect a sneer and snarl at them. "Where are the Mariens? Where are Vivvix and Zemmlin?"
"We don't know, Empress! We truly don't know! After we heard The Smell of Soil after Rain's damned congregation coming around and telling everyone to go to the Throne tomorrow, we set up the barricades, tried to set the trap and hid! It is the truth!"
I̶̞̗̽ ̶̨̤̉͂̔ͅą̵͉̥̃ṃ̷̱͈̓́̿ ̶̫̦̃̌̌Ȇ̶̢̱̜͘m̴̢̯̋̚p̶̙͔̪̓̕r̴̘̞͈͒̇͘ë̶̡͖̟́s̵̗̜͒̍s̵̬̆̆͑
"Yes, you are, Empress! You are a just and merciful Empress!" Rapid River Roaring is doing the majority of the talking here, cowering.
"Rapid River Roaring, The Smell of the Ocean, you have one chance. Find Vivvix and Zemmlin or find out where they have gone, and bring the news to me before the celebration tomorrow." They jump to their feet and take off at a run down the promenade. I turn to the last Aviens.
"Starlight, do you have a ship docked here?"
"Yes, Empress, High Line is our starship. It is where we do a majority of our decision making."
"It is spaceworthy?"
Even though my interrogation, Starlight on a Moonless Evening still lets some disappointment and disgust show through. "No, Empress. Our ship's drive failed quite some time ago, and none remain who know how to repair it."
Hmm. An opportunity.
"Starlight, an opportunity presents itself. I find myself without a starship, and you find yourself with a starship in need of repair. Prove your worth to me, and I shall take your ship as my flag carrier, repair it better than you've ever had it, and we shall open the Gate and begin the reconquering of my empire.
At this, Starlight looks up at me, eyes wide. Their body language is unbelieving. "Why would you do that Empress? We conspired to trick you and kill you."
I shrug "I mean, I get it. I don't like it, but I get it. I am choosing to be merciful." I bend down and meet their eyes. "Do not make me regret my choice. When I choose to not be merciful, you will not like it." I stand up tall and look down my nose at the Aviens.
"S̵̡̅̈́ẗ̷̯́̅ȁ̶̧̗͝r̴̨̠͋l̴̢͠í̵̢̮͑g̷̥̒̔͜ḫ̷̊̚ṱ̷̛̘͋ stop breathing."
Starlight looks at me confused, and then tries to take a breath.
And cannot.
Panic fills their eyes. They claw at their throat and thrash around. Their mouth opening and closing with nothing happening. They look up at me imploringly. Their mouth is making motions like they're trying to speak, but with no air they can't.
Omar glares at me "Melody! Let them breathe!"
"S̵̡̅̈́ẗ̷̯́̅ȁ̶̧̗͝r̴̨̠͋l̴̢͠í̵̢̮͑g̷̥̒̔͜ḫ̷̊̚ṱ̷̛̘͋. You may breathe."
Starlight takes huge shuddering gulps of air, panting, their face looking up at me with true fear.
"Remember this, Starlight. I rule here. Even the very air you breathe is under my command."
"Yes, Empress." they pant.
"Tomorrow, after the celebration, we shall visit High Line and see if we can work with it."
"Yes, Empress."
I look at the assembled crowd. "Do you see what I am capable of? I do not offer tricks or games. Serve me well and be rewarded. Fail me, and your very home will reject you bodily."
They reply as one. "Yes Empress."
"You are d̵̯̒̅į̴͗͊s̶̡͎̏m̷͍̆̌͜į̵̪̍s̸͖̓̈́s̶̜̓͝ḙ̶̞̽̈́d̶̯͈̂͗. Go back to work, and finish your tasks."
As the crowd is given back to themselves, they blink and stare at me in horrified fascination. They back away quickly, the people in the rear of the crowd breaking into a run.
After a moment, we're alone again. Um'reli looks at me oddly. "That was... awfully intense Melody. Is that how your rule will be?"
I sigh "I hope not Um'reli, but I think I'm going to have to throw my weight around at least a little to get people to actually believe that I'm in charge here."
She nods "I get it. I do have to admit, it was pretty cool how you did that."
Ava grins "It was SUPER cool. You looked so regal and intense. Very hot."
Omar looks at both of them and then back at me "Am I the only one who is a little freaked out that Melody can stop people from breathing with just a word?"
Ava looks over at Omar and shrugs. "She's the Empress, Omar. Her word is law."
Um'reli smiles "And we're friends with her."
First / Previous / Next

Hi! I'm a 42 year old Daddy Dom looking for my forever little that I can care for and share my life with long term. I'm open to any age but would prefer a little in her earlier 20's. I love to talk everyday, I like a little that is a bit needy and loves attention. I typically am a soft Dom that loves to provide comfort, reassurance, guidance and also shower you with complements. But if your bratty and I'm pushed I will become very stern, lay down ground rules and dish out punishment according, so be warned!
I am a former working artist/photographer that has lost his passion for art. It's always been my hope that I would find that special someone that inspires me to start creating art again, will you be my little muse? I currently own my own business and would love to share my life experiences to help guide my little through life's many decisions and hurdles.
Please DM me if your interested, I would love to get to know you better!

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 a mix of 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 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.
Clad in a worn cloak that concealed her features, Cornelia blended seamlessly into the bustling village crowd. The fabric whispered with every movement, a soft rustle against her skin as she navigated the narrow streets. The air was alive with the aroma of freshly baked bread, mingling with the scent of spices wafting from market stalls.
After procuring a bundle of garlic from the local market, the distinct scent of its earthy essence enveloped Cornelia's senses. Its pungency mingled with the vibrant tapestry of smells, drawing her further into the heart of the village. With purposeful steps, she made her way through the labyrinthine streets, seeking the hidden corners where the secrets of her craft could be uncovered.
The alleyway she ventured into concealed itself in shadow, an intimate sanctuary away from prying eyes. She brushed her finger against the rough brick walls as she walked deeper into the alley. Carefully, she extracted small glass jars from her satchel, their delicate clinks echoing in the stillness of the alley. Each jar captured the essence of a captured lizard, their gentle rustling and soft scales brushing against the glass as they adjusted to their temporary confines. Cornelia observed the ethereal dance of light on their vibrant scales, the sight creating a mesmerizing spectacle that seemed to hint at the creatures' otherworldly origins.
As her task neared completion, a hushed whimpering caught Cornelia's acute hearing, piercing through the ambient sounds of the alley. The muffled cries stirred her curiosity and compassion, grounding her in the present moment. The echoes of distress resonated with a palpable weight, urging her to investigate further. With a mixture of anticipation and concern, she followed the trail of whimpering, guided by an invisible thread that led her deeper into the shadows of the alleyway.
“Ugwy babbeh, momma gib’ fowebah sweepies!!!” scowled a fat, ugly fluffy with a distinct rhotacism, muted pink fur, and a stained green mane. Its harsh yet infant-like voice reverberated off the soot-covered walls, creating a dissonant symphony in the alley.
Cornelia's voice cut through the air like a whip cracking, her words carrying an authority that resonated with power and determination.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, street-rat!" she scowled back, her tone laced with both indignation and warning. An ethereal light, emanating from her cloak, bathed the alley in a soft, otherworldly glow, casting long, dancing shadows upon the cracked pavement.
"Smawty mommah beautiful! no gwiv biwth to ugwy babbeh!" the street-rat scowled again with its distinctive speech impediment. The creature turned to face Cornelia, its initial anger giving way to shock as its beady eyes widened in disbelief. The glow from Cornelia's cloak seemed to hold the street-rat captive, its mesmerizing radiance momentarily erasing the malice etched across its grotesque features.
“Hooman?” asked the street-rat, its voice trembling with a hint of hope amidst the chaos of its existence.
"Yes, a human," Cornelia affirmed, her tone firm yet laced with empathy.
The alley seemed to shrink around them, the dilapidated brick walls closing in as the tension mounted.
The street-rat's eyes widened with desperation, and in a flurry of movement, it scurried towards Cornelia, collapsing before her in a pitiful display of submission. Dust billowed around them, filling the air with a gritty haze, while the distant echo of passing footsteps underscored the urgency of their encounter.
“Nice wady, pweese take fwuffy wivh yu!” The street-rat's cries echoed through the desolate alley, its once-malicious tone transformed into a pitiful plea. Its snout nuzzled against Cornelia's leg, a feeble attempt at seeking solace and salvation.
“Fwuffy nu wan’ stay wivh ugwy babbehs!!!” the street-rat begged, its snout nuzzled against Cornelia's leg, a feeble attempt at seeking solace and salvation.
Cornelia, her heart heavy with the weight of the street-rat's anguish, carefully stepped over the pathetic creature, making her way toward the vulnerable baby lying at the end of the alley. Drawing closer, a chilling tableau of horror assaulted her senses. The metallic tang of blood hung in the air, intermingling with the sickly stench of decay. Before her eyes lay a grim testament to the darkest depths of despair. Foals with muted and stained bloodstained fur, their dull hues tainted with their own intestines, bore the scars of a brutal struggle. Bite marks marred their tender flesh, evidence of cannibalistic desperation, while trampled bodies bore witness to the unforgiving nature of this forsaken place.
As Cornelia knelt down to retrieve the fluffy, the air hung heavy with anticipation. The scent of damp concrete and decaying refuse mingled with the disgusting tang of blood, creating an atmosphere of unease. The dim light of the alleyway cast long, haunting shadows that danced along the walls.
But as Cornelia's hand closed around the trembling infant fluffy, a sudden, searing pain shot through her senses. A sharp SNAP echoed through the air, accompanied by the sickening sound of teeth sinking into flesh. Cornelia's cry of agony reverberated off the surrounding buildings, its raw intensity tinged with shock and disbelief.
The pink-furred mother street rat's jaws remained stubbornly clenched, its grip unyielding. Cornelia's vision blurred with tears, her vision shortly distorted by the excruciating pain. With a swift, instinctive motion, fueled by a mix of agony and surprise, Cornelia swung her injured hand in a wild arc, flinging the fluffy across the alley.
“What the?” Cornelia cried out. She has never encountered a fluffy that bites. Let alone, one that bites this hard. She swings her hand and threw the fluffy across the alley.
“MEANIE WADY! WHY TAKE UGWY BABBEH?” the street-rat's shrill voice pierced the air, its cries echoing like the wails of a frustrated toddler. The sound reverberated through the narrow passage, carrying a mix of confusion, anger, and sorrow. It blended with the backdrop of distant traffic, creating a dissonant symphony of chaos and distress.
“TAKE MUMMAH! KIWW UGWY BABBEH!” The street-rat frantically stomped the ground in uncontrolled rage. “nu wan’ meanie wady to take vewy ugwy babbeh!!!” the street-rat charged towards the witch.
As Cornelia clasped the fragile baby in her trembling hand, determination coursed through her veins, lending a renewed strength to her stance. The musty odor of the alleyway saturated the air with a pungent reminder of the harsh realities of this grim world.
But before she could fully process the unfolding situation, a searing pain shot through her leg like a lightning bolt. The sensation was akin to the piercing bite of a thousand needles, laced with the unmistakable pressure of a sharp object. Cornelia's scream reverberated through the alley, carrying her anguish and shock to the distant corners of the forgotten cityscape.
The street-rat's unicorn horn, a menacing weapon honed by the merciless streets, impaled Cornelia's left leg. The relentless strength behind the attack sent a blur of conflicting sensations—a symphony of pain, desperation, and disbelief —piercing through her body like shattered glass.
In the midst of her suffering, Cornelia became acutely aware of the grim reality that governed this alleyway. The countless deaths and constant struggle for survival had forged these street-rats into formidable adversaries. Their resilience and innate strength were evident in their very existence. It was a harsh lesson learned in an instant—the living street-rats were much stronger than one could ever anticipate.
As she fought to maintain her footing, Cornelia's vision swayed with a mixture of pain-induced dizziness and the swirling chaos of the alley. The scent of blood intermingled with the dank aroma of decay, enveloping her senses in a suffocating haze. The gritty texture of the alley's uneven pavement seemed to press against her fingertips, grounding her amidst the tumultuous storm of emotions.
Despite the excruciating torment and the formidable foe embedded in her leg, Cornelia clung to her resolve. With unwavering determination, she focused on protecting the fragile life in her arms, steeling herself for the challenges that lay ahead. The relentless struggle for survival in this unforgiving world had etched itself into her very being, and she was prepared to face its darkest truths head-on.
“Fwuffy stuck!!!” cried the street-rat, her voice trembling with desperation as she attempted to dislodge herself from Cornelia's lower leg. The sharp pain intensified, searing through Cornelia's flesh, eliciting a guttural cry of agony that reverberated through the alley.
In that moment, Cornelia's instincts kicked in, and with a surge of raw magical power, she conjured a blast wave of energy that pulsed through the air. The crackling energy engulfed the street-rat, propelling her forcefully into a nearby brick wall. The impact shattered the ancient masonry, and the street-rat lay there, her body bloodied and broken, her ability to move forever stolen.
“Fwuffy can’t move, hewp!” the street-rat whimpered, her words garbled and distorted by her injuries. The alleyway seemed to echo with her pain and despair.
Cornelia turned to leave the scene, a mix of relief and sorrow weighing upon her heart. But before she could vanish into the shadows, her eyes met the wide-eyed gaze of a villager who had witnessed her extraordinary display of magic. The villager's features contorted with shock, and his trembling voice pierced the air like a thunderclap, “Witch!”
“Witch!” The word reverberated through the alley, igniting a cacophony of shouts and gasps from the onlookers who had rushed to the scene. Their voices swirled with a mix of fear, awe, and accusation, intertwining with the faint scent of damp stone and the distant hum of city life.
Sensing the mounting danger, Cornelia slipped away, melding into the shadows like a ghost. All that remained was the street-rat, now broken and vulnerable, desperately calling out, her voice strained and pleading, “Nu take baby, nu take baby, pwease…”
“Fwuffy not know stweet-wats can make hoomans go ouchies” said Blue, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Her tiny hooves tapped softly on the wooden floor as he shifted in place, The air hung heavy with the scent of burning candles, casting a warm glow upon the room and bathing the scene in a gentle, flickering light..
“The alleyways are so full of death and destruction, only the strongest and most psychotic survive. I feel bad for them” replied Cornelia.
“Is like ogre life too, ogre warriors no longer live in peaceful lands, ogre fight to survive to ‘nother day” said Ygor, his voice, deep and resonant, bore the weight of sorrow.
The crackling fire in the hearth popped and hissed, casting shadows upon the walls, their movements mirroring the flickering emotions of the conversation.
“Well, we don’t have to face that depression anymore… Anyways, let’s eat!” Cornelia offered reassurance, her voice filled with conviction and a sense of determination.
The room seemed to come alive with the aroma of freshly prepared food; as if the very essence of the cast spell carried a tantalizing scent that made the Wendy and Blue’s mouths water. The tables gracefully glided towards them, their wooden legs creaking softly, while the dishes floated gently through the air, releasing a symphony of inviting aromas.
“I cooked meals using a spell the moment you and your fluffy arrived,” said Cornelia, her voice carrying a hint of pride. The room was filled with the tantalizing aromas of the freshly cooked meal. The scents of herbs, spices, and cooked ingredients mingled together in a mouth-watering symphony, infusing the air with the essence of culinary delight.
Ygor's gaze shifted to Cornelia, a newfound admiration gleaming in his eyes. Candlelight filled the room with a warm glow, casting a soft illumination on the scene, while the crackling fire in the hearth provided a comforting backdrop of pops and crackles paired with dancing shadows.
Cornelia's ability to cast multiple spells simultaneously was a testament to her skill and proficiency. Ygor could not help but be impressed by her effortless command over magic. There was a grace and elegance in her gestures, as if the very air around her responded to her every command. Despite the intricacy and complexity of the spells she had cast, there was no trace of fatigue or weariness on Cornelia's face. Her energy remained vibrant and radiant, her eyes sparkling with a sense of fulfilment and contentment. It was as if the act of magic itself invigorated her, filling her with a renewed sense of purpose.
Ygor's massive hand gripped the turkey leg, the savory aroma of roasted meat wafting up to his nose, mingling with the tantalizing scent of herbs and spices.
Amidst the anticipation, Cornelia, Wendy, and Blue bowed their heads in prayer, their hushed voices forming a gentle harmony that resonated through the room. The flickering candlelight cast an ethereal ambiance. The fragrant scent of burning candles intertwined with the aroma of the freshly cooked meal, infusing the air with a sense of reverence and gratitude.
Ygor paused, a deep respect shining in his eyes, as he respectfully placed the turkey leg back onto the plate. The flickering flames illuminated the scene, their golden glow casting a warm and comforting light. The air seemed to hum with a sacred energy, as if the very essence of their gratitude and prayers permeated every corner of the room.
“We pray before meals, we can now eat!” said Cornelia told Ygor when she finished praying.
“For ogres, pray and eating is same thing” replied Ygor.
“I remember,” Cornelia replied.
A touch of nostalgia as memories flooded Cornelia’s mind. She recalled the time spent among the ogres, their solemn devotion to the act of eating. Contrary to human myths, they were meticulous and mindful, making no mess as they communed with their god, Grunferth.
Cornelia delicately lifted a morsel from her plate, savoring the anticipation of the first bite. As she brought the food to her lips, a symphony of sensory delights unfolded within her. The succulent meat yielded to her teeth, releasing a burst of flavors that danced upon her palate. The crisp sound of Ygor's powerful jaws joining the feast resonated alongside the collective enjoyment, harmonizing with the heightened aroma of the meal that enveloped the space in a tantalizing embrace.
As Ygor took the final bite of his turkey leg, his ears pricked up, attuned to the faint but distinct sounds that drifted through the air. The cacophony of rolling wood, stone, and metal reached his senses, causing him to instinctively turn his gaze towards the window, his curiosity piqued.
"What did you hear?" Wendy inquired, her innocent eyes reflecting a touch of confusion.
But before Ygor could respond… KABOOM!!!
An earth-shattering explosion tore through the air, violently rending the walls asunder. The debris-filled chaos revealed a seething mass of enraged villagers, their figures cloaked in heavy rain and darkness. Riding at the forefront were armored knights, their steeds thundering beneath them. Amidst their ranks stood an ominous contraption, an immense rifle-cannon affixed to a sturdy bipod, wisps of smoke curling from its barrel.
The air crackled with a blend of fear and anticipation. The scent of burning gunpowder mingled with the acrid tang of destruction, permeating the atmosphere. Shadows loomed and flickered upon the shattered walls, cast by the flickering torches held by the angry mob.
"Load the slug!" bellowed the commanding voice of the knight leader, his words reverberating through the air like a thunderous declaration of imminent danger. Ygor's heart skipped a beat as the weight of the knight's authority bore down on him, sending a shiver down his spine.
With a sense of urgency, two knights swiftly inserted a sharp metal slag, gleaming like a wicked fang, into the massive barrel of the punt-gun. The weighty clink of metal meeting metal reverberated through the air, accompanied by the subtle hiss of their breaths as they worked diligently. Meanwhile, another knight meticulously poured an entire jar of gunpowder into the giant gun-cannon’s bulky breech, the grains cascading with a soft rustle that hinted imminent danger.
As the thick smoke cleared, the cracked force field revealed Cornelia standing tall, her arm aglow with a radiant aura as she valiantly upheld the shield. The scent of tainted ozone intermingled with the acrid aroma of spent gunpowder, lingering as a testament to the clash of magical forces and weaponry.
"Step out, monster!" the commander's voice boomed, cutting through the tense silence like a thunderclap. "Or you and your friends will taste the fury of two pounds of pure lead, forged stronger than your vile witchcraft!"
Cornelia's brows furrowed in bewilderment. "How did they find us?" she whispered, her voice laced with concern.
"Big, stupid ogres leave big, stupid footsteps!" the knight spat out a response filled with contempt and disdain. His words rang out, a venomous taunt that intensified the looming threat. "That buckshot was only a warning! Now step out, or face the consequences!"
Blue and Wendy, their tiny frames quivering with fear, sought solace behind Cornelia and Ygor, their small hooves instinctively covering their fragile, fluffy heads. Whimpers of trepidation escaped their trembling lips, mingling with the heavy air, adding an undercurrent of vulnerability.
Ygor, his massive form radiating determination, stepped forward, his footsteps reverberating like an earthquake that sent waves of terror rippling through the hearts of the villagers. The ground seemed to tremble beneath him, spreading whispers of fear and uncertainty among those who watched.
“What are you doing?” Cornelia asked, her voice laced with concern and near-panic, questioned Ygor's decision, desperately seeking to understand his intentions in the face of such imminent danger.
“Go find safety! Ygor fight them alone” Ygor proclaimed, his words laced with unwavering bravery.
“Ygow… Bwoo nu wike scawy guns… don’t go” Blue's voice trembled with fear, her eyes pleading for him to reconsider.
Ygor voice softened as he knelt down to her level, his words filled with reassurance. “Ygor had to… must stand up for the little ones… Ygor be strong fo’ Blue” he whispered, his voice a gentle balm amid the chaos.
With a final glance at Cornelia and the trembling foals, Ygor stepped forward, his determination carving a path through the looming danger. The weight of his responsibility settled upon his broad shoulders as he braced himself to confront the impending threat.
Cornelia's eyes locked with Wendy's, a silent understanding passing between them. In that moment, a flicker of determination ignited in Cornelia's gaze, mirroring the resolute nod of the black-fluffed creature. The air crackled with a mix of tension and anticipation, as if the very atmosphere held its breath.
"Bwoo, come wivh Wendy!" Wendy's voice carried a sense of urgency, beckoning Blue to seek refuge deeper within the safety of the cabin. The faint sound of hurried hoof-taps echoed through the wooden floor as the foals scurried away, seeking solace from the impending confrontation.
Cornelia's voice rang out with unwavering conviction, cutting through the charged air. "You don't have to fight alone," she declared, her words infused with a steadfast resolve.
Ygor's eyes stared into Cornelia's, seeking reassurance amidst the mounting peril. His broad shoulders squared with determination as he posed his question, concern etched in his voice. "Are the widdle ones safe?"
A fleeting moment of relief passed over Cornelia's features as she met Ygor's gaze. "Yes," she replied, her voice a steadying anchor in the midst of chaos.
“Last chance monster! My patience has ended!!!” The commander’s final warning reverberated through the air, a surge of adrenaline coursed through Ygor's veins. With each heavy footfall, the commander's armor resonated, the clinking sound echoing the weight of the impending clash. The ground itself seemed to tremble, mirroring the intensity that hung heavy in the air.
With one last determined glance back at Cornelia, Ygor stepped forward, his footsteps leaving an indelible impression upon the soil, each stride a testament to his bravery and the impending struggle that awaited.
"You've made a grave mistake, knight..." Cornelia's voice reverberated with seething rage, her words slicing through the tense air like a sharpened blade.
“We’re not leaving without your corpses, monsters!!!” bellowed the commander, his voice laced with venomous determination.
“I’m a forest witch, and you have entered my domain… LEAVE. MY. HOME!!!” Cornelia demanded as her eyes glowed with magic rage. The air crackled with an electric energy, a palpable tension that hung heavy amidst the looming clash of opposing forces.
The commander's signal sliced through the charged stormy atmosphere, setting the massive punt-gun's sights squarely on Ygor, while the villagers tightened their grips on their spears, preparing for the impending clash., while the villagers tightened their grips on their spears, ready for the impending assault.
SWISH!!!
A floating bubble of shimmering green liquid burst forth from the depths of the cabin, hurtling towards the commander with astonishing speed. The commander's reflexes kicked in, evading the peculiar water just moments before it could make contact.
SPLASH!!!
The strange substance that once healed Blue drenched the gunner’s hapless body. Anguished screams tore through the air, echoing with torment and despair, as the gunner’s flesh withered and decayed, leaving behind a grotesque skeletal figure that sent shivers of terror coursing through the hearts of the villagers. The unsettling transformation gripped them. The sight of this macabre spectacle fueled their fear and deepened their animosity, fanning the flames of their hatred towards the forest witch and her allies.
A momentary hush settled upon the battleground, shattered by the commander's malevolent grin. From the depths of the forest, more guns emerged, revealing a hidden arsenal of lethal force.
“Did you seriously think we only brought one gun?” The commander sneered, his words laced with derision and arrogance.
Yet, Ygor and Cornelia stood firm, their resolve unyielding amidst the encroaching danger. With a single swift gesture, the commander's hand unleashed a swift resounding gesture that sliced through misty powder-laced air.
“FIRE!!!”

me(21M) and my friends are planning a larping session for july. basically, we would be going on a quest with RPG elements. we would walk around the neighborhood in costumes and would engage in battle with imaginary monsters. we have also invited members of our families to come with us. my twin sister, my parents, my grandmother, two of my aunts, and my cousins are joining us. i also invited my grandmother and grandfather(no relation to the grandmother who's coming) but they declined. i did tell them that the invitation would remain open.
recently, i was at a family gathering and the topic of the larping session came up. my sister and parents were talking about how excited they were. my grandfather piped in about how he thought it was a bad idea and how walking in the heat sounded exhausting. i was getting thoroughly annoyed because he was berating something that me and my friends were working hard on. however, the final straw came when he implied that we would get arrested for causing a public disturbance, despite the fact that we do not at all plan to harass anyone and, in fact, will be having very strict rules about not interfering with other people.
i sternly said "fine! don't come! we don't even want you there! douchebags aren't allowed". i then told him that, as of now, his invitation is rescinded.
while my parents and sister are on my side, they think that i was a bit too harsh by calling him a douchebag and that he's always been a negative person and i shouldn't let his statements bother me. but i personally think that it's high time someone called him out for his blatant douchebaggery.
so let me have it reddit. AITA?

• ---[Chapter 1]---
• ---[Chapter 2: Part I, Part II, Part III]---

Clad in a worn cloak that concealed her features, Cornelia blended seamlessly into the bustling village crowd. The fabric whispered with every movement, a soft rustle against her skin as she navigated the narrow streets. The air was alive with the aroma of freshly baked bread, mingling with the scent of spices wafting from market stalls.
After procuring a bundle of garlic from the local market, the distinct scent of its earthy essence enveloped Cornelia's senses. Its pungency mingled with the vibrant tapestry of smells, drawing her further into the heart of the village. With purposeful steps, she made her way through the labyrinthine streets, seeking the hidden corners where the secrets of her craft could be uncovered.
The alleyway she ventured into concealed itself in shadow, an intimate sanctuary away from prying eyes. She brushed her finger against the rough brick walls as she walked deeper into the alley. Carefully, she extracted small glass jars from her satchel, their delicate clinks echoing in the stillness of the alley. Each jar captured the essence of a captured lizard, their gentle rustling and soft scales brushing against the glass as they adjusted to their temporary confines. Cornelia observed the ethereal dance of light on their vibrant scales, the sight creating a mesmerizing spectacle that seemed to hint at the creatures' otherworldly origins.
As her task neared completion, a hushed whimpering caught Cornelia's acute hearing, piercing through the ambient sounds of the alley. The muffled cries stirred her curiosity and compassion, grounding her in the present moment. The echoes of distress resonated with a palpable weight, urging her to investigate further. With a mixture of anticipation and concern, she followed the trail of whimpering, guided by an invisible thread that led her deeper into the shadows of the alleyway.
“Ugwy babbeh, momma gib’ fowebah sweepies!!!” scowled a fat, ugly fluffy with a distinct rhotacism, muted pink fur, and a stained green mane. Its harsh yet infant-like voice reverberated off the soot-covered walls, creating a dissonant symphony in the alley.
Cornelia's voice cut through the air like a whip cracking, her words carrying an authority that resonated with power and determination.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, street-rat!" she scowled back, her tone laced with both indignation and warning. An ethereal light, emanating from her cloak, bathed the alley in a soft, otherworldly glow, casting long, dancing shadows upon the cracked pavement.
"Smawty mommah beautiful! no gwiv biwth to ugwy babbeh!" the street-rat scowled again with its distinctive speech impediment. The creature turned to face Cornelia, its initial anger giving way to shock as its beady eyes widened in disbelief. The glow from Cornelia's cloak seemed to hold the street-rat captive, its mesmerizing radiance momentarily erasing the malice etched across its grotesque features.
“Hooman?” asked the street-rat, its voice trembling with a hint of hope amidst the chaos of its existence.
"Yes, a human," Cornelia affirmed, her tone firm yet laced with empathy.
The alley seemed to shrink around them, the dilapidated brick walls closing in as the tension mounted.
The street-rat's eyes widened with desperation, and in a flurry of movement, it scurried towards Cornelia, collapsing before her in a pitiful display of submission. Dust billowed around them, filling the air with a gritty haze, while the distant echo of passing footsteps underscored the urgency of their encounter.
“Nice wady, pweese take fwuffy wivh yu!” The street-rat's cries echoed through the desolate alley, its once-malicious tone transformed into a pitiful plea. Its snout nuzzled against Cornelia's leg, a feeble attempt at seeking solace and salvation.
“Fwuffy nu wan’ stay wivh ugwy babbehs!!!” the street-rat begged, its snout nuzzled against Cornelia's leg, a feeble attempt at seeking solace and salvation.
Cornelia, her heart heavy with the weight of the street-rat's anguish, carefully stepped over the pathetic creature, making her way toward the vulnerable baby lying at the end of the alley. Drawing closer, a chilling tableau of horror assaulted her senses. The metallic tang of blood hung in the air, intermingling with the sickly stench of decay. Before her eyes lay a grim testament to the darkest depths of despair. Foals with muted and stained bloodstained fur, their dull hues tainted with their own intestines, bore the scars of a brutal struggle. Bite marks marred their tender flesh, evidence of cannibalistic desperation, while trampled bodies bore witness to the unforgiving nature of this forsaken place.
As Cornelia knelt down to retrieve the fluffy, the air hung heavy with anticipation. The scent of damp concrete and decaying refuse mingled with the disgusting tang of blood, creating an atmosphere of unease. The dim light of the alleyway cast long, haunting shadows that danced along the walls.
But as Cornelia's hand closed around the trembling infant fluffy, a sudden, searing pain shot through her senses. A sharp SNAP echoed through the air, accompanied by the sickening sound of teeth sinking into flesh. Cornelia's cry of agony reverberated off the surrounding buildings, its raw intensity tinged with shock and disbelief.
The pink-furred mother street rat's jaws remained stubbornly clenched, its grip unyielding. Cornelia's vision blurred with tears, her vision shortly distorted by the excruciating pain. With a swift, instinctive motion, fueled by a mix of agony and surprise, Cornelia swung her injured hand in a wild arc, flinging the fluffy across the alley.
“What the?” Cornelia cried out. She has never encountered a fluffy that bites. Let alone, one that bites this hard. She swings her hand and threw the fluffy across the alley.
“MEANIE WADY! WHY TAKE UGWY BABBEH?” the street-rat's shrill voice pierced the air, its cries echoing like the wails of a frustrated toddler. The sound reverberated through the narrow passage, carrying a mix of confusion, anger, and sorrow. It blended with the backdrop of distant traffic, creating a dissonant symphony of chaos and distress.
“TAKE MUMMAH! KIWW UGWY BABBEH!” The street-rat frantically stomped the ground in uncontrolled rage. “nu wan’ meanie wady to take vewy ugwy babbeh!!!” the street-rat charged towards the witch.
As Cornelia clasped the fragile baby in her trembling hand, determination coursed through her veins, lending a renewed strength to her stance. The musty odor of the alleyway saturated the air with a pungent reminder of the harsh realities of this grim world.
But before she could fully process the unfolding situation, a searing pain shot through her leg like a lightning bolt. The sensation was akin to the piercing bite of a thousand needles, laced with the unmistakable pressure of a sharp object. Cornelia's scream reverberated through the alley, carrying her anguish and shock to the distant corners of the forgotten cityscape.
The street-rat's unicorn horn, a menacing weapon honed by the merciless streets, impaled Cornelia's left leg. The relentless strength behind the attack sent a blur of conflicting sensations—a symphony of pain, desperation, and disbelief —piercing through her body like shattered glass.
In the midst of her suffering, Cornelia became acutely aware of the grim reality that governed this alleyway. The countless deaths and constant struggle for survival had forged these street-rats into formidable adversaries. Their resilience and innate strength were evident in their very existence. It was a harsh lesson learned in an instant—the living street-rats were much stronger than one could ever anticipate.
As she fought to maintain her footing, Cornelia's vision swayed with a mixture of pain-induced dizziness and the swirling chaos of the alley. The scent of blood intermingled with the dank aroma of decay, enveloping her senses in a suffocating haze. The gritty texture of the alley's uneven pavement seemed to press against her fingertips, grounding her amidst the tumultuous storm of emotions.
Despite the excruciating torment and the formidable foe embedded in her leg, Cornelia clung to her resolve. With unwavering determination, she focused on protecting the fragile life in her arms, steeling herself for the challenges that lay ahead. The relentless struggle for survival in this unforgiving world had etched itself into her very being, and she was prepared to face its darkest truths head-on.
“Fwuffy stuck!!!” cried the street-rat, her voice trembling with desperation as she attempted to dislodge herself from Cornelia's lower leg. The sharp pain intensified, searing through Cornelia's flesh, eliciting a guttural cry of agony that reverberated through the alley.
In that moment, Cornelia's instincts kicked in, and with a surge of raw magical power, she conjured a blast wave of energy that pulsed through the air. The crackling energy engulfed the street-rat, propelling her forcefully into a nearby brick wall. The impact shattered the ancient masonry, and the street-rat lay there, her body bloodied and broken, her ability to move forever stolen.
“Fwuffy can’t move, hewp!” the street-rat whimpered, her words garbled and distorted by her injuries. The alleyway seemed to echo with her pain and despair.
Cornelia turned to leave the scene, a mix of relief and sorrow weighing upon her heart. But before she could vanish into the shadows, her eyes met the wide-eyed gaze of a villager who had witnessed her extraordinary display of magic. The villager's features contorted with shock, and his trembling voice pierced the air like a thunderclap, “Witch!”
“Witch!” The word reverberated through the alley, igniting a cacophony of shouts and gasps from the onlookers who had rushed to the scene. Their voices swirled with a mix of fear, awe, and accusation, intertwining with the faint scent of damp stone and the distant hum of city life.
Sensing the mounting danger, Cornelia slipped away, melding into the shadows like a ghost. All that remained was the street-rat, now broken and vulnerable, desperately calling out, her voice strained and pleading, “Nu take baby, nu take baby, pwease…”
“Fwuffy not know stweet-wats can make hoomans go ouchies” said Blue, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Her tiny hooves tapped softly on the wooden floor as he shifted in place, The air hung heavy with the scent of burning candles, casting a warm glow upon the room and bathing the scene in a gentle, flickering light..
“The alleyways are so full of death and destruction, only the strongest and most psychotic survive. I feel bad for them” replied Cornelia.
“Is like ogre life too, ogre warriors no longer live in peaceful lands, ogre fight to survive to ‘nother day” said Ygor, his voice, deep and resonant, bore the weight of sorrow.
The crackling fire in the hearth popped and hissed, casting shadows upon the walls, their movements mirroring the flickering emotions of the conversation.
“Well, we don’t have to face that depression anymore… Anyways, let’s eat!” Cornelia offered reassurance, her voice filled with conviction and a sense of determination.
The room seemed to come alive with the aroma of freshly prepared food; as if the very essence of the cast spell carried a tantalizing scent that made the Wendy and Blue’s mouths water. The tables gracefully glided towards them, their wooden legs creaking softly, while the dishes floated gently through the air, releasing a symphony of inviting aromas.
“I cooked meals using a spell the moment you and your fluffy arrived,” said Cornelia, her voice carrying a hint of pride. The room was filled with the tantalizing aromas of the freshly cooked meal. The scents of herbs, spices, and cooked ingredients mingled together in a mouth-watering symphony, infusing the air with the essence of culinary delight.
Ygor's gaze shifted to Cornelia, a newfound admiration gleaming in his eyes. Candlelight filled the room with a warm glow, casting a soft illumination on the scene, while the crackling fire in the hearth provided a comforting backdrop of pops and crackles paired with dancing shadows.
Cornelia's ability to cast multiple spells simultaneously was a testament to her skill and proficiency. Ygor could not help but be impressed by her effortless command over magic. There was a grace and elegance in her gestures, as if the very air around her responded to her every command. Despite the intricacy and complexity of the spells she had cast, there was no trace of fatigue or weariness on Cornelia's face. Her energy remained vibrant and radiant, her eyes sparkling with a sense of fulfilment and contentment. It was as if the act of magic itself invigorated her, filling her with a renewed sense of purpose.
Ygor's massive hand gripped the turkey leg, the savory aroma of roasted meat wafting up to his nose, mingling with the tantalizing scent of herbs and spices.
Amidst the anticipation, Cornelia, Wendy, and Blue bowed their heads in prayer, their hushed voices forming a gentle harmony that resonated through the room. The flickering candlelight cast an ethereal ambiance. The fragrant scent of burning candles intertwined with the aroma of the freshly cooked meal, infusing the air with a sense of reverence and gratitude.
Ygor paused, a deep respect shining in his eyes, as he respectfully placed the turkey leg back onto the plate. The flickering flames illuminated the scene, their golden glow casting a warm and comforting light. The air seemed to hum with a sacred energy, as if the very essence of their gratitude and prayers permeated every corner of the room.
“We pray before meals, we can now eat!” said Cornelia told Ygor when she finished praying.
“For ogres, pray and eating is same thing” replied Ygor.
“I remember,” Cornelia replied.
A touch of nostalgia as memories flooded Cornelia’s mind. She recalled the time spent among the ogres, their solemn devotion to the act of eating. Contrary to human myths, they were meticulous and mindful, making no mess as they communed with their god, Grunferth.
Cornelia delicately lifted a morsel from her plate, savoring the anticipation of the first bite. As she brought the food to her lips, a symphony of sensory delights unfolded within her. The succulent meat yielded to her teeth, releasing a burst of flavors that danced upon her palate. The crisp sound of Ygor's powerful jaws joining the feast resonated alongside the collective enjoyment, harmonizing with the heightened aroma of the meal that enveloped the space in a tantalizing embrace.
As Ygor took the final bite of his turkey leg, his ears pricked up, attuned to the faint but distinct sounds that drifted through the air. The cacophony of rolling wood, stone, and metal reached his senses, causing him to instinctively turn his gaze towards the window, his curiosity piqued.
"What did you hear?" Wendy inquired, her innocent eyes reflecting a touch of confusion.
But before Ygor could respond… KABOOM!!!

Got no response in the weekly thread so figured I'd ask here.
Kitchen was the victim of a minor flood. Got it cleaned up w/the wet vac and mop but now the floor is bowed in places and it looks like it got into the plywood. I got my heat gun out and started pulling up tiles and it looks like I've got linoleum sticky tile, plywood and then concrete backer board below that. The backer board makes me happy as I know the water didn't get into the beams under the house at all. I know I need to cut out the bowed up pieces of plywood and replace them. This probably means I'm gonna need to get my heat gun out and pull up all the sticky tile as I don't have any of the same kind to replace it. I'm wondering what the best flooring is to put down afterwards.
If this happened just a month ago I would've been inclined to put down some EVP or something much nicer but life circumstances have changed (met someone) and the reality is I could be living somewhere else next year and be renting this place. Additionally the floor is kind of "wavy" for lack of a better term (50s era house that has settled). Would I be better off replacing the plywood and just slapping sticky linoleum tile down again to save some money and not care about the quality since this may be a rental?
Additional question, given that this could be a rental in the past I'm guessing I'm probably better off picking a generic, neutral design for the floor and not the black and white checkered diner look I really want?

I used to have really bad nightmares and rly bad sleep paralysis when I was younger but I (F18) never have nightmares / sleep paralysis anymore until yesterday and today. TW I’m going in detailed descriptions as they were very vivid and I’m terrified rn.
So basically yesterday I had a dream that my cat got replaced with a lookalike cat. I immediately knew it wasn’t my cat and I became very angry. This led to me freaking out then the cat attacked me and then I proceeded to grab the cats mouth and rip it apart and break the jaw then throw it out the window. Then the cat came back to attack me and then my roomate woke me up.
Today I fell asleep and I don’t exactly remember the dream I was having before but I remember feeling like someone was watching me and out to get me. I later ended up having sleep paralysis. I was in my bed and I couldn’t move I felt trapped but I could see everything and there was very evil spiritual beings as well as snakes and frogs were out to get me. I was sweating and crying and fucking terrified. I eventually woke up & calmed down.
After this I ended up going back to sleep only to wake up from a worse nightmare that I went into my bathroom of my apartment only to see all of my recent ex bfs witchcraft stuff set up in my bathroom like he was doing a ritual and also he had like his home decor set up in the bathroom as well idk it was strange. (We dated for like a month ish. I broke up w him bc it was just a very ….. strange situation. I think it is important to add that he does heavily practice dark magick and he has since he was 17. He is 38 now.) I immediately started freaking out and I was like why tf is this in here how did this get here????? Then I looked in the hallway and he was crotched down behind a chair with a bow and arrow. I grabbed a knife and he killed my roommate and the guy she currently has over with the bow and arrow. Then he was crying to me telling me I can’t leave him and I asked why are you doing this please stop. He just said you can’t leave me. Then I repetitively stabbed him and then he cut his throat and was bleeding out and I kept stabbing him. Then I went to the bathroom and was freaking out and then I turned around and he wasn’t there anymore and then he came back and attacked me then shot me with the bow and arrow and then I woke up.
If anyone could try to explain what these could mean I would very much appreciate that. Thank you so much for reading I am so confused and scared right now <3