#Gummies Online Store

[gummsi1]

Gummsi Gummies are delicious chewy treats packed with vitamins and minerals to support your health. These gummies are easy to enjoy and offer a convenient way to get essential nutrients in a fun and tasty format. Perfect for all ages, Gummsi Gummies are a delightful addition to your daily wellness routine.

[caliborn123]

Why should you buy CBD edibles from a gummies online store?

The world of cannabis edibles has witnessed plenty of innovation over the years, and there are many types of edibles vying for your attention. Starting with weed brownies and homemade cookies, the cannabis industry has changed considerably with a focus on tarts, mints, and candies. You will even find novelty edibles like beef jerky, chocolate edibles, and potato chips. 

Because of advances in infusion methods, now you can find a wide variety of cannabis-infused gummies, baked goods, seasoning packets, cooking oil, chocolates, mints, breath strips, sodas, and numerous other items. THC edibles are cannabis-based food products. THC edible is a food product, such as a chocolate bar, which has been infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extract or oil. THC is the fundamental psychoactive compound present in cannabis. These edibles come in many different forms, from THC gummies and brownies to beverages. Consuming THC edibles from a gummies online store gives a more relaxed feeling and euphoric high. 

What is a CBD Gummy? 

CBD gummies, also called marijuana gummies or weed gummies, are edible cannabis products available in the shape of gummy candy and are infused with THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. THC gummies are popular among cannabis users who prefer edibles because they are discreet, simple to consume, and are available in a variety of flavors and dosages. 

Gummy edibles provide the benefit of multiple flavors and ease of dosing. These edibles are more fast-acting but last a shorter period than chocolate edibles. People love gummies as they are delicious and easy to eat quickly. Although edible gummies look and taste like candy, you should remember that dosages vary considerably with edibles, and you must take care of your dosage to avoid unpleasant or adverse effects. 

Differences between chocolate edibles and gummies 

Chocolate edibles and gummies are two types of cannabis-infused products that you can consume orally. However, there are some differences between the two. 

Form 

You will find THC chocolate edibles in various forms, including baked goods, chocolates, capsules, and tinctures. In contrast, gummies are a specific kind of edible that is made and available in the form of small, chewy candies. 

Ingredients 

Chocolate edibles or other food items, such as brownies, can be made with various ingredients, such as butter, oil, or alcohol-based tinctures that have been infused with cannabis. THC gummies are often made with a gelatin base, sugar, flavorings, and cannabis oil or concentrate. 

Some edible products, like lozenges and gum, are ingested but not swallowed. Note that in these cases, absorption happens through the mucus membrane of your mouth. This is known as sublingual absorption, and the effects will appear faster. 

Dosing 

You may know that edibles can vary in potency. This is why it can be challenging to determine the correct dose, which may lead to overconsumption and unpleasant experiences. Gummies are usually made with a consistent dose of cannabis, making it more straightforward to control the amount consumed. 

Effects 

The effects of gummies and chocolate edibles can also differ. Chewable edibles, like gummies and cookies, may have longer onset times and produce a more intense and longer-lasting high. This is simply because absorption occurs in your digestive tract and liver. After that, active ingredients enter your bloodstream and brain. This combination creates a more potent form of THC that adds to the high. 

How much cannabis edibles should you take? 

There are many different factors to consider when deciding how many cannabis edibles you should ingest. You should consult your referring physician when considering edible dosage amounts if you are a patient. 

For recreational or adult-use consumers, there are some additional factors to consider. For instance, if you consume an edible on an empty stomach, note that a single edible can have a more substantial effect. 

Many edible cannabis products from gummies online store mention how much CBD or THC is in one serving. For example, one gummy usually contains 10 milligrams of THC. It is almost impossible to predict the correct dosage of an edible for a specific person. 

This is why many different considerations exist, such as lifestyle, genetics, and health. The “right dose” varies for each person since each person will likely experience cannabis differently. 

[knifeslidez]

i just spent probably a dumb amount of money on candy that i wanted

[thcbailey]

Shop Premium THC Edibles Online in Bailey

Indulge in a delectable array of THC-infused edibles at THC Edibles Online Bailey. From mouthwatering gummies to convenient capsules, and even tantalizing cannabis granola bars, we offer a diverse selection to suit every taste. Explore our delightful range of cannabis-infused drinks and take advantage of the best dispensary deals in Bailey!

[ecann-cbd]

Ecann CBD

Ecann, votre référence en produits CBD de qualité, au cœur de Paris, France. Nous promouvons le bien-être et la joie avec notre gamme variée - fleurs CBD, hash CBD, vapes CBD, huiles de CBD, gummies CBD, suppléments, infusions, et plus encore.

Choisissez parmi une large collection de produits de cbd de haute qualité et testés en laboratoire (provenant du monde entier), disponibles avec une livraison express gratuite et une assistance clientèle 24/7. Uniquement sur ecann.fr

Découvrez Ecann maintenant, c'est gratuit :

Web: https://www.ecann.fr/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecanncbd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecanncbd/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.fr/CBD_produits_Ecann/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Ecann

[william-scott77]

Black Cherry THC Indica Gummies Black Cherry THC Indica Gummies

Black Cherry THC Indica Gummies Cannabis edibles come in several forms and shapes, yet the Black Cherry THC Jelly Bob Gummies are one in a million. They’re also the missing link between jelly bombs and gummies, an authentic treat for finer tastes. There are exactly 8 pieces in a package and each with a 10mg dose of THC. Furthermore, each Jelly Bomb Gummy contains both THC and CBD in the same measure, leading to a delectably therapeutic experience.

The Black Cherry THC Jelly Bomb Gummies are actually the best cannabis edibles for many cannabis enthusiasts. They’re not just only tasty and aromatic but also healing and therapeutic. These gummies alleviate symptoms of:

Pain

Stress

Inflammation

Fatigue

Anxiety

Depression

[eastwestherbal]

What to Look for When Buying Delta 8 Products Online

You may find helpful advice and things to think about in this blog to guarantee a secure and pleasurable online purchasing experience for Delta 8 items.

[gummsi1]

In a world where online shopping has become the norm, it's no surprise that even the sweetest of cravings can now be satisfied at the click of a button. Enter Gummsi Gummies, the delightful online store that's taking the confectionery world by storm. 

[modern-laguna-hills-ca]

CBD Online Store

While there isn't conclusive scientific evidence to support the use of CBD to treat dogs, observations from dog owners suggest that it can help with seizures and relieve pain. Experts claim that CBD oil is also used for its potential anti-cancer effects, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, hunger stimulation, and anti-inflammatory qualities. There is a possibility of an adverse reaction to any supplement or drug, so when giving your dog new food or medication, it is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian first and start with a tiny dose, then observe the results. Visit the CBD Online Store if you want to buy genuine CBD products. The store sells various items that may suit your pet's needs.

Housing Stats in Laguna Hills, CA

The median home cost in Laguna Hills, California is $900,300. Home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 85.9 percent which is an increase of 19.0 percent. Laguna Hill's real estate is 37 years old on average. The renters in the metropolis make up 28.1 percent of the city's population and 1.2 percent of houses and apartments here are available for rent. People living in this city pay an average rental fee of $1,630 for a studio unit apartment, $1,810 for a one-bedroom home or apartment, $2,208 for a two-bedroom house or apartment, $3,019 for a three-bedroom home or apartment, and $3,500 for a four-bedroom home or apartment.

StressBusters Wellness Day Spa in Laguna Hills, CA

StressBusters Wellness (SB) is a well-known destination for stress relief, healing massage, and efficient skin care. Over time, it has expanded from a small massage parlor to include facials, body pampering, and the sale of reliable products. As a result of providing uplifting and healing bodywork, SB grew by meeting the community's need for rejuvenation and solace and offering thousands of customers support and care. The spa now provides a full range of services, including body wraps, massages, and infrared detox treatments. The therapeutic center can give you the best and most up-to-date body and skin care thanks to its many years of experience.

Family Gets a Christmas Tree

When you speak about the holidays, the Christmas tree is frequently one of the first things that pop up in our minds. There is one in practically every home across the nation. The grownups are just as enthusiastic about decorating as the kids are. Almost every family now observes putting up a tree and adorning it as a tradition. When Orange County firefighters and sheriff's deputies brought 28 students on a shopping trip to Target, they learned that one of the families would not have a tree in their home. Out of the goodness of the firefighters' hearts, that household experienced festive cheer when they hand-delivered a Christmas tree to their doorsteps. Clickhere to read more.

Link to Map

Driving Direction

StressBusters Wellness

25431 Cabot Rd, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, United States

Continue to Cabot Rd

20 sec (184 ft)

Follow Paseo De Valencia to Calle De La Magdalena

7 min (3.0 mi)

Continue on Calle De La Magdalena to your destination

2 min (0.2 mi)

CBD Online Store

24001 Calle La Magdalena, #3620

[gummsi-1]

Unlocking Beauty Secrets: The Marvels of Gummies for Hair and Skin

In a world where beauty regimes and wellness routines are constantly evolving, the latest trend that has taken the health and beauty industry by storm is the use of gummies. Not just any gummies, but specially formulated gummies catering to the health and radiance of both hair and skin. And if you're on the lookout for the best hair gummies in India or seeking premium gummies for hair and skin care, your search ends at Gummsi – your go-to online store for all things gummy and gorgeous!

Gummies have long been adored as delectable treats, but their potential goes far beyond being a delightful snack. These chewy, fruity delights have been reimagined and revamped to offer a plethora of benefits for your hair and skin. Gone are the days of juggling multiple products; with gummies for skin beauty, achieving that coveted glow has never been simpler or tastier!

At Gummsi, our commitment to quality and effectiveness is unwavering. We understand the significance of nourishing your hair and skin from within, and thus, each Gummsi product is meticulously crafted using premium ingredients known for their beauty-boosting properties. From promoting gummies for hair growth and enhancing skin elasticity to fortifying hair follicles and combating dullness, our range of gummies is designed to address diverse beauty concerns.

What sets Gummsi apart is not just the efficacy of our products, but the transparency and dedication to customer satisfaction. Our formulations are backed by scientific research, ensuring that every gummy delivers noticeable results. Moreover, being an online store, we strive to make your shopping experience seamless, convenient, and delightful. With just a few clicks, you can embark on your journey towards radiant hair and glowing skin.

For those seeking the best hair gummies in India, Gummsi stands as a testament to innovation and excellence. Our gummies are a fusion of nature's goodness and modern science, catering to the diverse needs of individuals looking to revitalize their hair and skin care routines.

In a world where self-care is paramount, Gummsi champions the belief that beauty should be accessible without compromising on quality. Our gummies for hair and skin are not just products; they are companions on your quest for beauty from within.

So, why wait? Dive into the world of Gummsi and discover the transformative power of gummies for hair and skin. Elevate your beauty regimen and promote your wellness with the indulgence of Gummsi premium gummies, available exclusively at our gummies online store. Join the countless individuals who have unlocked the secret to radiant hair and glowing skin through the delicious goodness of Gummsi gummies.

Experience the difference. Embrace the beauty. Welcome to Gummsi – where beauty meets indulgence!

[flawlessflesh]

cecil is the thistle expy i made for a roleplay group i joined! he's started taking on a life of his own though...

in this rp, the mundane world and the supernatural secretly co-exist. cecil lives with his family in an underground bunker deep within washington state's hoh rainforest. the family is locked away and cecil believes he's protecting them from harm. he spends his days digging a frighteningly complex system of tunnels throughout the forest, convinced that if he can reach the black river deep inside the earth that's haunting his dreams, he'll be able to find his brother del's missing soul.

^ cecil being hounded by a good samaritan (samson's dorothy <3)

i'll share the public bio i wrote for cecil under the cut hehe

Cecil of the Talayi family began appearing in New Portsmouth grocery stores and libraries a few months ago. He isn't occupied by any work or schooling and he disappears for long stretches of time into the Hoh Rainforest.

A receipt Cecil discarded shows the following purchases: a wheelbarrow, five 50-pound bags of concrete mix, gloves, a large pack of 2x4 lumber, steel pipes, an industrial saw, and a bag of sour gummy worms (berry blast flavor).

When he was a young child, Cecil was given a home by the Talayi family. There is no official adoption on record and it is unknown exactly when Cecil was brought in. The family's head at the time, Farhang (فرهنگ), was an Iranian immigrant who made his fortune in Silicon Valley - Cecil believes he owes everything to him. Cecil was homeschooled alongside his younger brother, Del (عادل), who he helped raise. These days he is his brother's primary caretaker.

Farhang Talayi was assassinated by poisoning in 1991 by suspected corporate rivals. The murder trial was long, arduous, and inconclusive. Contemporary newspaper articles and tv footage of the investigation are archived online.

Ten years after the trial, the Talayi family moved from the bustle of Silicon Valley to New Portsmouth. Del bought property deep in the forest and built a private compound ringed by high walls. The Talayis made a few half-hearted excursions into the town's social scene, but they kept to themselves for the most part, homeschooled their children, and now have not been seen in public for many months.

Those initiated in the Secret World will look at Cecil and know he is a Protoplast - a name given to an insular race of humans whose proximity to Flesh diverged them from Homo sapiens thousands of years ago. Not much is known about Protoplasts beyond their natural skill with the Flesh font and their unusual physical characteristics: androgyny, elongated goat-like ears, hair and eyes lacking melanin, and rumors of extended lifespans. They are viewed with awe and wariness - anyone so close to Flesh should be handled carefully, of course. Most Protoplasts seen outside their clans are in the employ of the rich and powerful, a living status symbol. Cecil is no different.

[homunculus-argument]

Sitting here eating unheated premade blood pancakes straight from the package, I'm starting to think about just how annoying finnish cuisine must be to someone who didn't grow up in this kind of an environment. Like yeah welcome to the cold north where nothing that grows naturally has any real nutritional value - there's mushrooms growing off the ground for like two weeks in one season and your own weight in mushrooms is like 3 calories. We just eat orc shit made out of whatever can eat the stuff that grows here.

I mean milk isn't that fucked up of a concept if you don't really think about it. Like it's not the bovine titty itself that makes it weird, just that the native population here have a genetic fucking mutation that enables them to digest it in the first place. Sure, lactosis digestion isn't that rare, but I'm still baffled by why people say it like "65% of the world population is lactosis intolerant", like the 35% who are not are somehow the default setting. There was nothing fit for human consumption here that had enough calories to keep people going, so people fucking mutated to consume something that isn't.

And also the things that people just culturally do not eat. Like predators and other omnivores. I don't know if you can get lynx or wolverine meat anywhere, but it took me 20 seconds to find a perfectly credible online store to buy bear meat. I could buy my own weight in canned bear meat right now - it would cost like 7000 euros, but I 100% could if I wanted to.

Almost everything that can be made out of animal products historically has been, because nothing really naturally grows here that's fit for human consumption. This was never a place for an ape. There's just plants that animals can eat, and you eat the animals. And you better eat the whole animal, too. I've spent this week living off blood pancakes and liver casserole. And even things that you wouldn't consider odd if you've grown up around it, but wouldn't even occur to you if you had not. Like gelatin.

I can only imagine how annoying it would be as a muslim moving to Finland and ending up in a town that doesn't have a special Halal shop, so you try to do your shopping in the regular local grocery store, and try to navigate what here even is halal and 80% of the stuff doesn't have any clarification in the packages. And then looking at the self-serve candy and thinking "oh fuck it, I'm going to get myself some fruit and berry gummies for a treat. At least there's no fucking way that these would have pork in it."

And then there's fucking pork in it.

[modelbus]

Please please please do a part 2 for Cut Chaos…maybe where she sees the others out and about and it’s a awkward until they get around to why she wasn’t subtly push out? I honestly don’t know, I just want to see where it goes…

I got so many asks for a part 2, you are the chosen one I shall write it to. Hopefully this lives up to the first one!

Read part 1! And Part 3?

Pairing(s): cc!Ranboo, cc!Tubbo, cc!Wilbur and cc!Tommy x Fem!Reader (Platonic)

Cut Chaos Part 2

Somehow, going to the store had become your nemesis. Wallowing in self-pity felt like a much better way to spend your time, but even you could acknowledge that you needed to buy things eventually.

The reason why you tried to minimize going was simple: you didn’t want to see them.

What would happen? Part of you wasn’t sure if you could face the rejection in real life. The blow had been softened—although barely—by the digital world. If you tried hard enough, you could pretend that your phone broke and that’s why they never contact you.

Tommy’s birthday came and went, and you sent a gift through the mail. Too afraid of the boy to even have the decency to leave it on his doorstep, while too caught up in what you’ve lost to not give something.

You signed the card with love and your name, leaving the comma out. You didn’t regret it until it was too late, until the card had been sealed.

If you saw him at the store, would he acknowledge that? Or would it just be another thing on a list that he ignored about you?

If you were the count the number of times you’ve thought about them, perhaps you’d be counting forever. The store, the first time, nearly made you cry.

It’s a strange feeling, having then not having. Being in the sun, only to have clouds suddenly yanked over it as a downpour begins. The m&m yogurt reminded you of them, the twin snake gummy worms. Even the teal of a sign had made you stop in your tracks.

You were pathetic, honestly. But you were mourning something you weren’t even sure that you ever had.

So, the store. Your new foe, the newest nemesis in the battle of memories. Checkouts beeped in the rhythm of heartbeats you’re terrified of forgetting, shoppers talked in low tones you used to know.

Today, it was raining out. It had only just started when you got inside the store, thank God, but it meant your walk home would be a wet one. You didn't live too far though, so it wouldn't be that bad.

The door opens next to you, where you're looking at the strangely large selection of stuffed animals. One would go well with your setup, really.

You glance over your shoulder, a curtesy glance really, and do a doubly take at the four figures darkening the doorstep. Figuratively, although three are tall as fuck and cast shadows.

A black and white mask. Blue eyes. Fluffy brown hair. Fluffy brown hair times two.

Oh, shit.

You stare at Ranboo, Tommy, Wilbur, and Tubbo for one second, then two. Tubbo sweeps his gaze over the store, pausing when he lands on you.

“Oh.”

The first words they speak to you in ages, and it’s Tubbo saying “oh.” A truly inspiring start to a conversation.

“Hey. I didn’t know you guys came here.” You say around the dryness in your mouth. Swallowing, you try to force air into your lungs.

“We don’t.” Wilbur answers. “Not usually, we’re just—“

“Filming.” Tommy finishes, holding up his camera.

Right.

It’s one thing to see it online, but it’s a whole different level of pain to witness it in front of you. The split in the ground between you and them is almost visible. Almost.

“Oh.” And now you’re the one with the lame response. “Well. Enjoy that, I guess.”

“Wait.” Wilbur says, reaching out, because of course it’s Wilbur to do this to you. “How have you been? It’s- it’s been a while.”

And who, you want to ask, is at fault for that? Who would be taking the blame? Because by the way Ranboo couldn’t meet your eyes, you’re certain you all know.

”Do you want the honest answer, or the answer that’ll make it so you all can go to bed tonight peacefully?” You ask passively, because fuck.

They fucking left you. No, they did far worse than that. They ruined you.

You turn away, heading to the checkout. They follow you.

“What do you guys want? Ditching me once wasn’t enough? You need to put salt in the wound?”

“Hey, we didn’t mean to hurt your feelings or—“ Tommy begins, but you don’t let him finish.

“Well you did! You left me behind! How did you think I’d feel?”

“…nothing?” Tubbo suggests.

“What?”

“You were using us.” Wilbur crosses his arms, staring at you. Ranboo hovers awkwardly behind him.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Your eyebrows furrow, and then it hits you.

The rumors. They believed the fucking rumors. Out of everything that’s happened, this might be worse than them leaving in the first place. The very people you thought knew you best. Turns out that was a lie just like everything else when it came to them these past few months.

“I would never—“ Your gaze shifts to Ranboo, easily the most awkward looking person here. “Ranboo, you’ve been where I am. You know damn well what it’s like to be friends with people who have more fans than you, and you know the hate that comes with that. But you also know that you never once used the people around you, because they’re your fucking friends.” You pause. “Why wouldn’t you believe that of me? I thought you guys fucking knew me.”

“Hey!” Tommy exclaims. “We do know you! It’s just…” He glances at Wilbur for help with the statement.

“Just that sometimes you do what you think you need to protect yourself.” Wilbur finishes.

“You could’ve talked to me.” You say quietly, voice breaking. “It could’ve been fixed if any of you just talked to me.”

This was your catharsis. These thoughts have been swirling in your head for so long, too long. As you glance around at the four people you used to find comfort in, each in vary degrees of awkward-ashamed, your heart breaks.

You move to pay, but Wilbur beats you to it.

“I’m having fun with Genloss.” Ranboo announces suddenly and loudly.

Everyone’s heads snap to him, and he shifts slightly but doesn’t back down. He just nods, confirming what was just said.

“I’m filming a documentary.” Tubbo adds. “It’s long. But fun.”

Were they rubbing it in? Just how much they were fine without you? It didn’t seem like something they’d do. But then again, you couldn’t exactly claim to know them anymore.

“My live shows are fucking awesome. Weird as hell, but… awesome.” Tommy chimes in.

“What’ve you been up to? Other than playing packing games.” Wilbur grins, a joke. He watched when you played packing games?

“Nothing.” You admit. It feels like confessing that you’re hopeless without them.

“Are you guys going to move?” Someone asks from behind you.

You scramble to grab your bag, and the five of you exit the store before you can piss any other shoppers off.

“I think what we’re trying to say is we’re sorry.” Wilbur says once you’re all outside, huddled together under the small awning to avoid the rain.

“Yeah.” Tubbo nods emphatically.

“We just… didn’t know what to do when we heard the rumors. It’s not an excuse.”

“And it was really shitty of us.” Tommy adds.

“You guys knew me, you should’ve known I’d never use any of you.” Your words sound more like a beg than anything else. What are you begging for? Your friends back?

“Know.” Wilbur corrects. “We know you.”

You meet his eyes for a second before swallowing and looking away.

“Oh. Hey, don’t cry.” Ranboo rushes to say, patting your shoulder.

Christ. The action forces a laugh out of you, even as your eyes burn.

“Wilbur! You made her cry!” Tommy exclaims, turning to him.

“I didn’t mean to!”

“I know what will make her feel better.” He declares, before shoving Wilbur out into the rain.

“Tommy! That’s not how you deal with things!” Tubbo scolds.

“Your turn then!”

You laugh, even as Tommy turns to you with an evil grin. You manage to drag Ranboo out into the rain with you, immediately getting soaked to your very bones. It’s a warm rain though, a welcome rain.

For the first time in a long time, you’re genuinely having fun.

“Tommy!” Wilbur yells, reaching out for the blond boy.

“I’ve got the camera, Wil! Can’t get wet!”

Chaos squad. This was chaos, and this was the five of you. You were back home.

[mosaickiwi]

After reading your Ren/Angel writings (love them all ❤️)an idea poped up. Mc doesn't like the taste of artifical cherries so they avoid eating any cherry flavored candies. Ren knows this. But somehow Mc notices Ren seems to secretly love cherry candies so Angel surprises them with a variety of cherry candies 🍬

💝 Wondering how they find out hmm. Cherry scented cologne hidden in the bathroom? Ren taking 0.25 seconds longer than usual to pick a little treat in line at the grocery store? Detective Angel is on the case...!

14 Days With You is an 18+ Yandere Visual Novel. MINORS DNI

💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤

Very Cherry

The rustling of plastic bags was unmistakable as you opened all the things you'd bought, but [REDACTED] dutifully kept his eyes closed. You accidentally knocked one bag over and sent a few lollipops careening off the table with a loud clatter. A few fell into his lap. He pretended not to notice.

“Y’really don't want any he—”

“No!!” you quickly interrupted him, already picking the candies up. “It's a surprise.”

Finally, after discarding a few damaged goods, the bowl you'd set before him was full. All sorts of colorful sweets were piled together. Gummies, chocolates, hard candies and more, each with a cherry flavor to them that you were certain he’d love.

You made a face at the pile, but thankfully none of it was for you to snack on. “You can open your eyes,” you said, but changed your mind immediately. “Wait! Wait—” You ran around to sit opposite of them at the table. Seeing his reaction was all you could think of for the past few weeks. “Okay, now open them.”

Their eyes opened, neither shocked nor surprised, but excited nonetheless. “‘Was wonderin’ what y’were buying all this candy y’don’t even like for. Seemed like too much for the kids at the library.”

“Hey!” You didn't expect him to admit to stalking your internet history. “I thought you'd learn to stop snooping by now. Act surprised, or else.”

They grinned before doing their best soft and shy Haruko impression—a mockery of an act they'd long since dropped. “O-Oh, a gift? You're so sweet, Angel!! I can't believe you bought these for me. I promise I'll treasure it!”

You rolled your eyes, but answered with sincerity, “You're worth every cent. I like seeing you happy, Ren. And I like making you happy.”

“Shit…” [REDACTED] muttered and rubbed at his jaw, almost at a loss for words. “I... Thank you. Really.”

In spite of the genuine blush forming on the hacker’s cheeks, you could tell he had mixed feelings. Of course they'd be grateful for anything you gifted him. But if it was something that you were open about hating, the item in question would be avoided altogether. Regardless of his own feelings on the matter. It was a strange tendency they couldn’t really let go of just yet. 

Encouragement, and a little pleading, would do the trick, though. 

“I worked really hard to find all of these. And I was looking forward to seeing your face when you finally had some,” you said, practically pouting at them, your chin resting in the palms of your hands. “Just a bite?” 

Both the statements were true. Since you couldn't stand the flavor you thoroughly scoured all the online reviews before enlisting the pickiest of your friends to taste test, then repeated it all to find candies that suited him. Enough to get a wide variety. So the results from all that effort were very important to you.

Incapable of ever refusing the smallest request, your partner grabbed a wrapped candy at random from the bowl. It was a half moon shape, and a bright shade of red with a white line along the round edge. Kiara had suggested that one—but only after telling her all the expensive candies she sent would use up a huge chunk of your budget. 

You chose to keep that information to yourself as he carefully unwrapped the gummy candy. Any mention of another person would no doubt sour his mood.

[REDACTED] held the candy up to their lips, and instead of eating it whole, they took the tiniest nibble you'd ever seen. Still, his face lit up at the first sample. He took another tiny bite, then another and another. As if he couldn’t decide between savoring or devouring it completely.

“Do you like it?” You leaned forward on the table, relishing in his reaction. 

He swallowed to answer you right away, putting the candy—with not even half of it missing—back in its paper. “Yeah. ‘Like it a lot, actually.” 

The bowl’s many candies crinkled as you fished through it to pull more of the same type out. “They have a sour version, too. I'm sure you'll like that one even better,” you said. In the small pile of half moons you made, there were a few speckled with white sugar. He took another. “I'll order some more so you don't have to eat them like… that.” 

“‘M not trying t’save ‘em,” he mumbled, though the delicate way he unwrapped a sour gummy and started nibbling again like a hamster said otherwise. It was a fascinating sight, if not completely silly for the man decked head to toe in black clothes, intimidating accessories, and silver piercings. You had to keep yourself from giggling and he insisted again. “Really, Angel. I jus’ wanna be able to thank you properly when I’m done.”

You smiled at their consideration. All too easily, you could imagine your face scrunching up at the cherry taste sure to linger on your boyfriend's tongue if he kept indulging. “I'd still kiss you even if you taste awful,” you teased.

As if to test your confidence, he popped the candy into his mouth and watched you pointedly. They took their sweet time to chew it, giving you time to reconsider the idea while he fiddled with a lollipop from the bowl.

Your nose wrinkled as the faint cherry smell finally wafted over, the fruity scent stronger than you anticipated. “... Maybe only on the cheek, though.”

He noisily stood from his chair, and you knew right away he was leaving to brush his teeth.

[transparencyboo]

For the last two weeks or so I've been playing the Mega Drive dungeon crawler Shining in the Darkness. I've recently been going through all the various action-RPGs the system had to offer and kinda found myself lusting for more, so I expanded the scope.

Shining in the Darkness had one of those cover arts I vividly remember seeing in game stores during the 90s, I understood already back then that whatever this was would be too complicated for my feeble preschool brain, but it had a shiny glossy allure that still beckoned to me with promises of daring adventures and grand battles. Questions lingered in my head: Who is that evil bastard zapping sparks at Cavin from the Gummi Bears? Why has the king entrusted the safety of his kingdom to a meagre boy and his two misfit friends?

Well, it turns out that big bad guy is called Dark Sol, the bane of all game difficulty discourse, and the reason the king has enlisted three poor kids is because there is no one else to rely on after your daddy went missing. Everyone else just sorta gives up along the way.

My initial conclusion of this game was to commend my young self for the striking assessment, my five year old self would never get anywhere in this game between the English text, abstracted navigation and number crunching battle mechanics. Shining in the Darkness is a bona fide classic dungeon gauntlet endurance simulator, where you traverse vanishing point block tunnels and encounter enemies. I've played one or two games like this before, like the original Phantasy Star, but this time a new desire struck me. I wanted to draw maps. Maybe I'm just getting older and more patient, leading me to wilfully ignore easily available resources online.

By my recollection, this is the first time I've dedicated myself to playing a game like this. Usually I just resort to my sense of direction, which I've gathered seems to at least be above average, since anytime I go anywhere with anyone I always end up playing shepherd so they don't get lost. Worst case scenario I'll just fall back to mapping efforts by online heroes from years past. For Shining in the Darkness I persisted blindly about halfway through until I admitted to myself charting a map of the labyrinthine caves would be a lot easier. Luckily, the game allows you to spend 1 MP to see a chunk of where you've walked, meaning I could get neatly organized segments to copy by hand.

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from this endeavour was how much of the game experience was expressed through this map project. I spent just as much time slaying beasts as I did counting tiles and filling them out with my pencil. It became a natural counterbalance that provided vital pacing to the game mechanics. Walking, fighting, charting. In turn, through the principle of learning by doing, I gained a more intimate familiarity with the environments by just replicating them out on a sheet of paper. I found that while the map helped, I actually didn't need it much for backtracking because my drawings had helped me remember the layouts of the corridors anyway.

I guess the lesson learned is that while old design sensibilities may appear to be arcane and cumbersome when easier solutions exists, the obfuscation is part of the fun. The game hands me an intentionally hard to navigate world, shows me that it's fully capable of displaying maps of it, but still asks me to provide that dimension myself. Through doing this, I discover that drawing maps is both surprisingly enjoyable and cognitively stimulating. I realize that had I downloaded some pre-packaged maps online and used as my bible, Shining in the Darkness would've been a vastly different experience, one of monotonous meandering through endless fights while confidently striding along the known path.

Perhaps that's why the game was called Shining and the Darkness in Japan, it doesn't flow as well as the western title, but at the same time it poetically reflects this act of discovery. I am Shining, the game provides the Darkness, we work together, we must unify to become whole.

As for Dark Sol, he turned into a big monster boy and was vanquished by a spunky cartographer child and her two cohorts. The unknown has been made known and the kingdom is once more saved.

/Kiki